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By Liana Minassian
Widespread Panic, one of the most popular jam bands since the Grateful Dead, arrived in Miami Beach for two solid nights of intoxicating sights and sounds. Supporting their newest album Free Somehow, WP attracted people from all walks of life hungry for a taste of their legendary jam sessions.
The crowd primarily consisted of hippie stereotypes: girls in patchwork skirts with flowers in their hair and guys with dreadlocks and hemp rope sandals. There were also the diehard road tripping fans sporting tour Tshirts from different cities. Scattered here and there was a whoopee cushion and a small group of people in bathrobes and wigs. The older yuppie couples — who were probably cool in the ’80s — stuck out in their business attire like penguins in the desert.
While the crowd shared a difference in appearance, they were all there for the same reason: to get wasted and dance to great music.
After finally taking my place in the pit an hour into WP’s set on Oct. 29 (due to complications with the venue), the first thing I noticed was how many people were dancing. Looking behind me in the orchestra and up into the balcony, EVERYONE was on their feet. Some were so into it that they weren’t even watching the band play anymore; instead they were caught up in a jam-induced trance heightened by the increased arousal of their senses.
"...the pot smoke was so thick the band didn’t even need fog to give them atmosphere, but I expected no less after being offered a full bottle of Corona at the door from someone who tried to smuggle it in their pants."
Undoubtedly, most of the crowd was on something, as the pot smoke was so thick the band didn’t even need fog to give them atmosphere, but I expected no less after being offered a full bottle of Corona at the door from someone who tried to smuggle it in their pants. Before I knew it, I too was entrenched in the electricity gyrating through the audience, making it impossible to stand still.
Not knowing what to expect next as I focused in on the band, I was immediately drawn to their lighting. Above and behind the band members was an asterisk-shaped lighting rig pumping out unique color combinations onto band and audience alike. Not surprisingly, WP’s lighting designer is Candace Brightman, who also designed for the Grateful Dead and therefore knows how to play off psychedelic influenced tunes. While the trippy lighting enhanced their set, I became bored trying to actually watch the band play, as they didn’t move around much or talk to the crowd.
The band has been together for 22 years, and the members are all in their 40s and 50s; however, age shouldn’t inhibit performers from letting loose — just look at the Rolling Stones. Since they are a jam band, though, the music ended up speaking for itself, creating an atmosphere where your enjoyment was dependent on your level of participation.
For many, that meant dancing their way through all three hours of the set, minus the 30 minute intermission, and connecting with fellow fans through their mutual love of music. The crowd sang along with singer/guitarist John Bell through older hits like "Coconut" and "Driving Song," as well as "Flicker" and "Up All Night" from their new album.
Tight jams and tasty grooves provided a great back drop for chilling out on a Wednesday night fighting the tidal wave of sleepiness that creeps up on a school night. Widespread Panic brought the jammage back to Miami Beach and satisfied all sides of the concert lover spectrum — at least until the next jam band trucks on in to tickle their mind’s eye.
Let us know what you think at outloud@outloud.com..