Widespread Panic Commence Asheville Run with Series of “Little” Song Titles, Perform Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and Welcome Guests
photo: Ian Rawn
Last night, Widespread Panic arrived at ExploreAsheville.com Arena for the onset of their three-night run in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center. The series kick-off represented an overdue return for the beloved ensemble, who initially signed on for a batch of Asheville, N.C. gigs, on July 25-27, 2024, before the concerts were cleared for the band’s schedule in response to Jimmy Herring’s prior health trials.
During the start of the band’s Thursday, July 24, concert, they pulled in a series of song titles, all of which included the word “Little,” beginning with 2001’s Don’t Tell the Band feature, “Little Lilly,” which transitioned into a feature of their latest studio offering, Snake Oil King, on “Little by Little.” Ultimately, the band added a final piece to the sequence, with Ain’t Life Grand included, “Little Kin.”
After tactically coupling their little numbers, the group proceeded by delivering pairings performed without pause, beginning with “Trashy” into “One Arm Steve.” The initial segue of songs preluded John Keane’s guest spot. The Athens, Ga. producer, known for his work with fellow Peach State favorites R.E.M. and the Indigo Girls, also contributed to Widespread Panic’s debut studio set, Space Wrangler, serving as both producer and engineer, and providing vocals.
Keane’s Widespread connection extends beyond the band’s first set of music and throughout their studio history. This point was considered during Thursday night’s gig, by presenting two tracks, “Fishing” and “Travelin’ Man,” released on Ball, another set of music that Keane produced, mixed, and recorded for the band. Remaining consistent and in recognition of Keane’s momentous impact on their sound and studio experiences, the band and their guest brushed into ‘Til the Medicine Takes’ feature, “The Walker,” which also served as set one’s finale.
Widespread showcased their affinity for pairings during the start of the second set, combining a cover of War’s “Slipping into Darkness” with their own “Thought Sausage.” During the initial song, the host band welcomed percussive assistance from longtime manager Steve Lopez. They ultimately proceeded without guest accompaniment during their next batch of tunes, a straight shot of originals, performed without pause and taking form as “Bear’s Gone Fishin’,” “Jamais Vu,” and “Halloween Face.”
Next, Widespread Panic positioned their concert tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on Tuesday, July 22, by covering Black Sabbath’s “Fairies Wear Boots.” Following Osbourne’s passing, bassist Dave Schools remembered the Prince of Darkness on Instagram with the caption, “Thank you Ozzy.”
The group of artists resumed their pattern of coupling songs by concluding their second set with a combination of “Holden Oversoul” and “All Time Low.” Keane retook the stage for the concert’s encore, applying steel guitar on the first “Old Joe,” since April 14, 2024, ending a 28-show performance gap. He stuck around for the final song of the night, a cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “Mr. Soul.”
Widespread Panic returns to ExploreAsheville.com Arena at Harrah’s Cherokee Center tonight, Friday, July 25, and tomorrow, Saturday, July 26. Tickets remain on sale.
Widespread Panic
ExploreAsheville.com Arena at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, N.C.
July 24, 2025
Set I: Little Lilly > Little By Little, Little Kin, Better Off, Trashy > One Arm Steve, Fishing*, Travelin’ Man* > The Waker* (63 mins)
Set II: Slippin’ Into Darkness > Travelin’ Light, Thought Sausage, Bear’s Gone Fishin’ > Jamais Vu > Halloween Face, Fairies Wear Boots, Holden Oversoul > All Time Low (75 mins)
Enc.: Old Joe***, Mr Soul**** (12 mins)
Notes via panicstreams.com:
* w/ John Keane on acoustic guitar & vocals
** w/ Steve Lopez on percussion
*** w/ John Keane on steel guitar
**** w/ John Keane on guitar
– LTP “Slippin Into Darkness” 1/19/24 St Louis (33 shows)
– LTP “Old Joe” 4/14/24 Playa (28 shows)
