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Widespread
Panic Performs Intimate Holidays Show for Fans, Tunes for Tots
12/29/05 The Roxy, Atlanta, GA Widespread
Panic is known to end each year in grand fashion, with a series of NYE performance
for thousands of fans in Atlanta. This year, for the first time since 1996,
Panic played a "warm up show," for an intimate crowd, this time at the
Roxy Theater in Atlanta. The evening was a special benefit, with proceeds
from the event going to Tunes For Tots, a charity benefiting music education programs
for young school children in Athens. This was the first such benefit concert
that the band had ever performed, and it proved to be a rousing success. It
was a special treat to see the band in such an intimate setting, as the Roxy was
packed to its capacity of 1500. The band performed a stellar set of music,
mixing a number of their newer songs in to the sets, along with the high points
- the old, the familiar, yet all brewed anew. With the crowd feeling fortunate
to be amongst the chosen few that were able to get through the door, the older
songs just felt right, starting with the old James Taylor-penned "Knockin'
Round the Zoo" (it was indeed Thursday), "Weight of the World,"
and "Holden Oversoul." Guitar George was particularly impressive during
"Holden," as he played less frantically than his norm, taking the lead
and making it his, beautifully performed to perfection. Set
two started strong with "Machine" in to "Dreamers and Barstools,"
giving JB the chance to step up his game with an extra funky vocal rap.
But JB would save his best for last, totally stealing the show during the encore.
What began as a beautiful "Trouble," on which JB always shines,"
suddenly changed to a stunning "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay."
This was JB's first go at tackling Otis Redding's timeless classic, and he did
Otis proud, bringing tears to the eyes of many in attendance, while also offering
a brief glimpse in to the "Georgia" set the band would deliver on New
Year's Eve. This
was, without doubt my most enjoyable Panic show of the year. The added fact
that it was all done for a good cause, raising tens of thousands of dollars to
help keep music in our school systems, was all icing on the proverbial cake.
A special night in time and everyone in the room would agree they were very fortunate
to have been in attendance. **
First published in HONEST TUNE magazine, Winter 2006 |