Widespread Panic | Boston | 7.24.10
Bank of America Pavilion
Boston 7.24.10
by Michael Spencer
Widespread Perfection
It was just one of those nights. Weather as if you’d called god and ordered it, exuberant dancing fans unrivaled in energy by any “scene,” and oh yeah…a near perfect set list from one of the best bands currently working.
The show kicked off about 20 mins late as the slow to fill pavilion crowd must have struggled a bit to separate themselves from the waterfront bars that line the walk to the venue. And although it never quite filled to capacity, the band played just as hard as they did for multiple nights of 70+K when I first saw them live in 2001 at the inaugural Bonnaroo.
The 3 songs (Clinic Cynic, North, Cotton Was King) played off of their new and well received 11th studio album, “Dirty Side Down” delivered a nice fresh taste to the hungry faithful. It also left plenty of room to feed the crowd heaping servings of old favorites and several gigantic jams. In the first set, Bear>Drums>Surprise>Hatfield>Blackout was unreal and got the crowd fully warmed up for the rest of the evening.
Not one to say what moment was the best, I can say, without hesitation, that for me the Driving>Disco>Driving jam was simply pinnacle of the evening. For a brief moment, it was as if the hippie version of Studio 54 had transcended upon the BoA Pavilion in Boston, and everyone was allowed in, not a velvet rope to be seen.
The highlights are endless so take your lick from the list below, but let’s just say ending the night with “Lawyers, Guns & Money” (Warren Zevon) pushed the evening over the edge and solidified the evening as a classic.
All band members were on point seeming tight as always. Bell’s voice transports you straight to Georgia and Schools’ endless smiling seems to entrance the crowd to do the same. On this night though Jimmy Herring specifically stood out as he continues to show people what guitar’s were made for.
Set List:
Set 1-
Pigeons, Who Do You Belong To, Mr. Soul, Clinic Cynic, Bears Gone Fishin> Drums> Surprise Valley>Hatfield>Blackout Blues,The Porch Song, North
Set 2-
Little Kin, Travelin Light, Greta>Driving Song>Disco>Driving Song, Action Man, Walkin, Papas Home, Cotton Was King, Papas Home, Ain’t Life Grand
Encore-
Jack,Lawyers, Guns & Money* (Warren Zevon)
Photos by Mike Spencer
