I was not a Widespread Panic fan. In fact, I am not a jam band fan in general (disregarding my love for The Mars Volta). But Widespread Panic came to my town this weekend, and I went with some friends on a whim.
Before going in, I got good and drunk on some quality beers (Newcastle, Heinekin, and Blue Moon), and took some FIRE cubens that I had been saving since Bonnaroo 2006. All of my friends were rolling, on cid, cubens, alcohol, pot, and wonderful combinations of such.
Let me just say that it was a life experience. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Widespread is one of the most fantastic bands I have ever seen live. My body fell into motion with the music, and I must have danced about 4-5 hours straight, even as we were leaving the complex.
When I arrived home at about 5am, I smelled like something close to a vagrant. All the movement that was going on inside the colliseum raised the humidity levels to extreme levels, making every square inch of any surface covered in water vapor.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that if Widespread Panic comes to your area, you should go. Tickets for them are usually cheap and general admission. Even if you dont like jam bands, go, because you will never forget it. My friends say that one Panic show is all that it takes to make you fall in love with the band.