Widespread Panic

This time of year I’m usually racing in the PCA indoor karting champtionship every couple Tuesdays. But during the day yesterday a friend contacted me with an extra ticket to the sold out Widespread Panic show that night. I decided since I’m already not going to make the podium of the karting championship after missing 2 events I should take the opportunity to see WSP. I haven’t seen them in years, some out-of-town friends sparked interest before it sold out, and I think the whole tour was pretty much sold out the day it went on sale.

The Warner Theater is in the middle of downtown DC. There were a bunch of college-aged pseudo-hippies hanging out on the sidewalk in front. On occasion you could hear a nitrous tank echo between the downtown buildings. I think there were 2 cops and a rent-a-cop or two walking around. The cops didn’t seem to care all that much and mostly keep people off the street. I heard they were more annoyed with the balloons popping than people actually selling and huffing hippie crack. Across the street at Cheff Jeff a bunch of suits where at happy hour on the porch enjoying the circus.

It was a bitch to get in the door and the bar lines were horrible. But we did have nice seats in the front row of the balcony. It was a good show. Jimmy Herring was set up half off stage. The second set was good and long. I’m not a big Widespread fan so I have no idea how it was relative to other shows or other tours of theirs. Along with the college kids there were quite a few people in the 30’s like my friend and I. It was an interesting mix with the preppy yuppies who were probably dirtier hippies than the swank college kids back when they were their age. I got down and had a good time.