On Jan. 23, Widespread Panic took the stage for the finale of their 13th annual destination concert series, Panic en la Playa, at the Hard Rock Cafe in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The Friday night appearance swelled with special moments during each of the program’s three segments: a first set arrival from mandolinist Sierra Hull, latter half contributions from Circle Around the Sun’s Adam MacDougall, and ultimately a nod to the late Bobby Weir during an encore debut of the Grateful Dead’s “Jack Straw.” 

Before welcoming the night’s initial guest, Widespread Panic arranged “Postcard” and “Pilgrims” into a two-piece segue, and positioned fan favorite “Walkin’ (For Your Love)” on the other side. Taking Friday’s fourth slot was a cover of Van Morrison’s “And It Stoned Me,” a longstanding feature of the band’s live archive, having been a part of their songbook since 1987. For their nostalgic treatment of the song, they welcomed Hull, who added mandolin and vocals to the Moondance classic. She stuck around for one more number, adding to “Pickin’ Up the Pieces” as the final part of her sit-in. 

After Hull left the stage, Widespread Panic delivered their own “Fishwater,” which rushed into Traffic’s “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys” and Bobby Rush’s “Bowlegged Woman.” Like a pinball, they ricocheted back to Rush’s original, Traffic’s early ‘70s standard, and their own jam engine, “Fishwater.” Similar to set one, the second half of the night found just the band giving weight to “Bust It Big,” Buffalo Springfield’s “Mr. Soul,” and “C Brown,” before ensuing company. 

MacDougall went on to demonstrate masterful key work across three compositions. Earth to America featured “Second Skin” set up his entry, he remained on stage for the next songs, Funkadelic’s “Red Hot Mama,” and Willie Dixon’s “Red Hot Mama,” which included an instrumental tease of “Riders on the Storm.” After the night’s second guest left the stage, Widespread Panic went on to revive “Spoonful” for the first time since their St. Augustine, Fla., concert on March 24, 2023. 

The hosts placed “All Time Low” ahead of “Jack” before coupling “Maggot Brain” and “Chilly Water.” To kick off the encore, the band paid homage to the late Bobby Weir by covering “Jack Straw” for the first time. The concert’s debut struck a chord between sectors of the jam scene, delineating deep admiration for the late rhythm guitarist and his contributions to the community’s lineage. For their final delivery of the event, the band went with a fitting “Ain’t Life Grand.” 

At this time, Jimmy Herring is away from the stage to focus on his health. Nick Johnson filled in for Herring during the totality of Panic en la Playa and will continue his role during the group’s next batch of live appearances, on Feb. 14-15 in Austin, Texas. Tickets remain on sale. 

Watch Widespread Panic debut “Jack Straw” below.

Widespread Panic 

Hard Rock Hotel – Riviera Maya, Mexico 

Jan. 23, 2026

Set I: Postcard > Pilgrims, Walkin’ (For Your Love), And It Stoned Me*, Pickin’ Up The Pieces*, Fishwater > Low Spark of High Heeled Boys > Bowlegged Woman > Low Spark of High Heeled Boys > Fishwater (68 mins)

Set II: Bust It Big > Mr Soul, C Brown, Second Skin** > Red Hot Mama** > Spoonful > All Time Low, Jack, Maggot Brain > Chilly Water (95 mins)

Enc.: Jack Straw, Ain’t Life Grand (13 mins)

Notes: 

* With Sierra Hull 

** With Adam MacDougall