Widespread Panic at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Widespread Panic is an esteemed jam rock band that emerged in the ‘80s. Hailing from Athens, Georgia, the six-piece outfit has been a prolific force in the jam industry. They consistently go on tours across the U.S. and beyond, and their concerts attract audiences by the thousands. Seeing Widespread Panic perform live has become a remarkable American tradition. Their music, which blends southern rock, progressive, funk, blues, and hard rock, has been a staple among music festival fanatics. The band currently holds a record for most sold-out consecutive shows at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta and Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado.

In 1988, Widespread Panic dropped their debut album, Space Wrangler. The album, released via independent label Landslide Records, was recorded by renowned music producer John Keane, who has an excellent track record working with the Allman Brothers, Indigo Girls, and R.E.M. By 1991, the band had signed with the major label, Capricorn Records. They released their self-titled major label debut in the same year. The album is considered a career-defining record and received wide critical acclaim from fans and critics alike.

The band made their debut on the Billboard 200 upon releasing their third album, Everyday. The critically-acclaimed album also peaked at number 10 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. Every day includes the participation of then-newly-recruited keyboardist John Hermann. The following year, the band dropped their follow-up album, Ain’t Life Grand, which entered Billboard 200’s Top 100. The band also debuted on the Mainstream Rock charts with the album’s lead single, “Can’t Get High.”

By 1998, the band saw the beginning of their peak touring era. They held a giveaway for their debut live album, Light Fuse, Get Away. The event, held in their hometown Athens, Georgia, attracted approximately 10,000 fans. The giveaway was recorded as the most massive CD release party ever.

The band dropped a live album, Live at Oak Mountain, two years later. The exemplary album sold over 500,000 copies in the U.S., earning the band their first gold certification. In the same year, the band began the process of starting their own music label, Widespread Records. They released their first studio album through their label the following year. The album, Don’t Tell the Band peaked at number 54 on the Billboard 200 and number 12 on the Top Internet Albums chart.

The band moved on to release five more incredible studio efforts, including their highest-charting effort to date, Dirty Side Down, which peaked at number 27 on the Billboard 200 and entered the Top 10 of three other charts.

Despite having a number of impressive studio releases over the decades, it is still best to experience the band performing live. They’re remarkably known for their impressive live sets, thanks to the band’s musical prowess and high-energy performances.

Catch Widespread Panic at the Red Rocks Amphitheater this summer! Tickets are now available!