Widespread Panic– Grand Sierra Theatre – Reno, NV– 3/30/2014

Review By: Trevor Bexon

Reno, Nevada is always an interesting city in which to see a Widespread Panic show. Usually thrown into the tour in between bigger California shows, it is often a sleeper show that provides amazing setlists in a laid back casino setting. The previous two 2014 shows were located in Oakland, California at the Fox Theater for a Friday and Saturday night throw down in the Bay area. Before they headed to Santa Barbara on Thursday night, Panic decided to make a stop in the Biggest Little City for their first Sunday night show of the tour. In classic Reno fashion they held their ground when it comes to the saying, “never miss a Sunday show.”

Widespread Panic has a history with the Grand Sierra Resort that is located on its own just out of reach from Downtown Reno, which means fans takeover the hotel/casino for an evening and are centrally located in one building, instead of spread out on a casino “strip.” This year fans had the company of a “fur” convention that was also taking place at the casino over the weekend. For those that don’t know, a fur convention is a gathering of furry-animal-suit-wearing enthusiasts, who create their costumes and come together to share them within their community.

The concert was sold out and many fans were looking for extra tickets pre show. At 8:20, fans who wanted a spot on the rail could still grab it and at 8:30 Widespread Panic walked onto the stage. Reno is the kind of place you can get a great spot with not a lot of work. The first set was energetic but mellow and the energy was built level by level going to setbreak.

The second set provided a dance party atmosphere and kicked things off with “Conrad the Caterpillar”. The “Shut Up and Drive>I Walk on Guilded Splinters” was some of the best Panic out there. “Guilded” provided the place of fan’s dreams and sent the crowd on a funky trail in the dusty town of Reno. Jimmy Herring, John Bell and Dave Schools’ interplay on this song is a craft that is hard to match on stage. JoJo Hermann‘s effects are some of the devil’s finest work when swerving in and out of the guys up front. “Chainsaw City”, “Mercy > All Along the Watchtower > Pigeons” was all top notch and had the crowd moving beautifully in the plentiful dance space of the Grand Sierra Theatre.

Reno may get a lot of smack but the city and its sister, Lake Tahoe, provide an amazing location and vibrations for music to be created and shared. Widespread Panic has honed into the Reno magic and has been for some time now. Where else can you see a Panic show and walk among hundreds of fully dressed furry animal people?