Jazz Fest - WSP (4/30/26)

Listen to the entire show on Nugs or Relisten or Archive.org.

Data mined and explored via Everyday Companion.

Photo Gallery

Let us tell you a story about a fateful late Spring day in the Crescent City, a place like no other. Forgive the Princes and Princesses for waking rude. The lack of a better term allows us to report that Panic consumed thousands of fans who once more, most definitely, did not beat the sunrise in the Big Easy. It was morning time on the first day of weekend two at Jazz Fest 2026 when the news broke. Impending storms had caused the entire festival to change the schedule, meaning Widespread Panic was to take the stage at an impressively early 2:00 pm, rather than the previously scheduled 4:30 pm. Whether you woke up to a frantic call from a fellow spreadhead, texts in the heady group chat, or saw the various social media posts, it was absolute chaos awaking from the Daze Between shenanigans, getting show ready, and arriving to the festival grounds in time. Through intense rain, wind, and various grumbles from the sky, the most Spreadicated trudged our way there, arriving at the fairgrounds already soaked through, with sleepy monkey crust still adorning our eyes. The weather was just as we left off in Birmingham mere weeks ago. Soggy socks and Birkenstocks Panic round two of 2026! 

Lettuce kicked off the music, bringing up the energy, and giving us all a chance to boogie our soggy blues away. The fans that were there exclusively for the Daddys (AKA Widespread Panic) used the set to find a good spot, ideally next to people who also LOVE the best band in the land. Looking around the crowd, it was relatively easy to see who made their way there exclusively for Panic and who was there because they bought a 4-day wristband for New Orlean’s 54th annual Jazz Fest. Regardless of “why” people made their way to the Festival Stage, the crowd grew in numbers as we began shedding our rain gear with the sun just starting to come out for the beginning of the set. 

In true Panic fashion, they began their set fashionably late, finally taking the stage at 2:16 pm. JB greeted the crowd, “Good afternoon, you beautiful people!” And, the afternoon it was. Speaking from personal experience only, this was by far the earliest Panic took the stage in the WATLO HQ’s memory. Ain’t Life Grand kicked off their meaty 2-hour set, a great crowd pleaser that got everyone shaking and grooving. This was their 13th appearance at Jazz Fest, Duane’s 5th, and Nick Johnson’s first. This song has had the most appearances at Jazz Fest, this was the 6th performance of the song at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans.  He substituted the “dusty” clouds with “gentle” clouds, which seemed almost like JB was mocking the storm that was making its way over the festival grounds. In whispered tones, we shared with a neighbor who had never seen The Panics, “This song is called ‘Ain’t Life Grand’” to which he replied, “It is!” Got that right, buddy! It suuuuuuuure is! 

Next, Jojo kicked off Greta with a long piano solo. Another of their more popular songs, a great one for the crowd to sing and howl along to! JB’s guitar came in loud and clear, adding some extra vocals, “How’s it gonna be?” “Ohhh feel it in my blood, aaahhhhhhhh” - they were feeling themselves despite the incredibly early start time! They really jammed this one out, with Nick and Duane leading to a peak, impressive stuff given the fact that it was a festy set with only approximately 20% of the audience knowing their catalog. 

Schools led a perfect segue into Knockin’ Around the Zoo, a James Taylor cover that is literally perfect for the situation we all found ourselves in. It was easy to feel like we truly were knockin’ around a zoo on a Thursday afternoon. The crowd was rowdy, raging, and ready for mo mo mo’. After JB sang the line, “Hits me with a needle when she thinks I’m trying to misbehave” Schools followed up with, “Not here - God damn!” and another “not around here!” “nuh-uh” - his backup vocals crushed the entire show! Then Jojo took off with Schools holding it down! They were all smiles, dancing around on stage, and looking at each other with admiration. It was the young stud’s turn to take the lead, and Nick did not disappoint! He’s really come into his own over these past few runs. The song ended with JB oscillating his vocals, “Misbehaaaayaaaahaaaaave” - wow! Bravo, boys! That concluded the only “new” song for Nick, meaning the only song he hadn’t played yet in the Big Leagues. This was also the biggest show gap at 29 shows since the last appearance on 8/21/25 in Boston, also on a Thursday. 

Duane and Sunny’s whistle started off our epic journey into Surprise Valley. Dave really took this one to the limits, thundering our root and sacral chakras. The six-headed monster cooked up a noteworthy jam, hooking unknowing fans for life. They came to a gentle conclusion of SV and quickly Nick began One Arm Steve. Shot out to One Arm Hayden! Thanks for making it to the Festival despite having one arm in a cast wrapped in a plastic rain-proof garbage bag! This was OAS’s first Jazz Fest appearance despite it being the 317th time ever played. (See the full Jazz Fest song stats at the end!) They ended the well-executed studio-like version, giving us all a moment to pause and drink some water, or some healing brewed malt and barley safety juice.

Nick eased his way into Saint Ex with some lullaby-style guitar playing. There was a slight lull as JB built tension before the line, “Lamplighters and counters kings and drunks and clowns.” This was Panic’s opportunity to impress all those fans who LOVE metal and hard-core rock n’ roll but had never seen Panic before. We saw a young fan getting down after his dad left to refill their daiquiri cups. The Father-Son duo talked literally through every note of music (chompers be chompin’) but once Pops left the crowd, Junior really got into it! See, kids: when you listen loud it’s much easier to appreciate the music! Pop's hands were strong from serving daiquiris.

Sunny’s whistle made a second appearance for the introduction to Travelin’ Light, a JJ Cale song. Despite this song being in the 4-digit club (AKA it’s been played over 1,000 times), this was only its second appearance at Jazz Fest (2017 and 2026). You know who’s not traveling light? Beer Daddy. This guy was carting around a giant cooler on a metal wagon creating a path of destruction through the crowd. Right at the start of the song, Beer Daddy found his way directly in our spot, taking away every square inch of dance space. The fans came a flockin’ as they needed to re-up their beverages about 50 minutes into the set. Had the boys not been throwing it down as hard as they were, it would have been easy to get distracted, but damn! Jojo on the organ, Sunny and Duane rolling in the corner, Dave throwing it down, it was cohesive Apex Predator Panic to the max! Nick exploded around 4:23 launching us all into space. 

The song ended, and we heard the distinctive noises of Thought Sausage. The little group of us said “enough is enough” and told Beer Daddy to shoo! We needed our dance space back for this rager! There isn’t a better place to sing about gumbo!!! Lots of voodoo secrets were stirred into this sauce! The entire crowd worked themselves into a frothy lather, and may have terrified the noobs around us. It was so much fun scanning around the crowd and observing about one in every six people just absolutely shaking it loose and rage dancing as hard as they could. The other five out of six people were some combination of terrified, impressed, distracted, and joyful. Needless to say, this song really separated us into distinct groups of those who were there FOR Panic and those who stumbled into it. This was only Nick’s second time playing the song, but you would never guess it. He absolutely slayed! 

With barely a second to wipe the sweat from our brow, Jojo’s keys led us into King Baby. Despite this only being the 28th performance of the song, it is the second sighting of tiny hands and blinking eyes at Jazz Fest. Meaning 7.1% of all King Baby’s have been performed at the Fairgrounds! 

They transitioned immediately into I’m So Glad, a Skip James cover that brings up fond memories and lots of love for the late great Colonel Bruce, R.I.P. (Rise in Power) whose birthday we were all celebrating that day on the Fairgrounds (4/30/47-5/1/17). JB very clearly said the line, “I remember Colonel Bruce. He said, ‘Boyyyyy just don’t get into that room!’” which he tends to improvise and change up. This was a very clear nod to our fallen hero! As Schools led us all through the sing-a-long moment of “I’m so glad!” JB whispered, “Swing low, sweet chariot. Swing low, chariot, swing, swing!” Powerful stuff - this song’s first Jazz Fest appearance is definitely worth a re-listen. I’m So Glad came to a powerful ending and we had about 40 seconds to collect ourselves while CR Cruver got comfortable in the keyboard corner with Jojo. CR is the keyboardist for New Orleans Suspects and also sat in with Panic on 6/26/15 at Red Rocks for Ain’t No Use and Ribs. At first glance, we thought it was Trey Anastasio and then quickly remembered he had his own show that night in Las Vegas at the Sphere and also plays the guitar.  

Jojo’s keys kicked off Bust It Big, an incredibly appropriate song as Playa rooms went on sale this week AND we are headed to Vegas in hopes of big winnings! This song has been played five times at Jazz Fest, the earliest appearance was in 2005. Despite this song being a clear band favorite, a studio version has never been released. The crowd participation moment of “Rosemary’s Baby” was electric! The crowd was feeling it and so was the band! 

Almost immediately, Sunny got his whistle out for a THIRD time (is that a record??? Three times in two hours???) to kick off Fishwater. Dave slapped the bass as two members from the Dirty Dozen Brass band joined the stage (Gregory Davis on trumpet and Roger Lewis on baritone saxophone). We were now dealing with a 9-headed monster! Not surprisingly, with lyrics literally mentioning New Orleans, this song has been performed at Jazz Fest five total times now! Okay, let's talk horny Panic. According to the diligent research of our interns, the last time Panic had horns on stage was NYE in Nashville, TN on 12/31/16 (9.5 years ago) when the Megablasters joined them. The last time DDBB joined them was during their July Vegas run in 2016 at the same venue they’re playing at this weekend. At about 5:30, Gregory Davis set down his trumpet and used his own two fingers to whistle. Jojo stood up in absolute shock and awe, total amazement. Check out our IG reel to see all the action! Such a moment! Sunny was blowing that whistle all the way until the very end of the song when they flawlessly dropped into Arleen!!!!! LFGGGGGGGGG!

This was Nick’s second Arleen (last one was Playa 1/20/26). JB ad-libs a lot in this song, so it can be difficult to decipher what are common lyrics he likes to rotate in vs. what’s new and special. But, we did our best to highlight noteworthy JB-isms from this version of Arleen:

•  “Neighbor girl, neighbor girl, barely 18.” We love when JB makes Arleen 18 instead of 16, it just makes us all feel better about the legality of the situation.

• “Bad is in the radio”

• “Some John’s gonna moan and show”

• “There’s a dog gonna moan and show”

• “Shot glass on the floor”

We believe it was Sunny using an electric drum to make the DJ sounds after JB went offffffff. Gregory started whistling again then took up his trumpet - so much music! JB and Schools finished it off with their beautiful lyrical exchanges. 

Then, Bass Mountain picked Fishwater back up for three unrelenting minutes of in-your-face Panic to end their massive set. They didn’t leave a single pair of panties dry. Between JB’s growls, and NINE men on stage playing instruments, the energy was sexy, intense, and palpable. JB bid adieu, “Thank you, brass band, Gregory Rogers ladies and gentlemen. Got an announcement on the left.” 

Well, we can’t always get what we want (a fat 2.5 hour set from 4:30-7 pm), but we can always  get what we need (a non-stop energetic set from 2:16-3:54). The announcement was that we all had to bounce out of there REALLLLLL quickly because of the incoming storm. The staff shoo’d us out of there as quickly as possible, with barely a moment to grab our belongings and say goodbye. They weren’t wrong… at about 5 pm the heavens opened up and it thunderstormed until 10 am on Saturday. NOLA got about 1.5-1.7 inches of rain each day on Thursday and Friday. As difficult as it was to make it on time to the show, it was well worth it! 

We’ll see ya’ll in Vegas in only a few short days!

All songs played at Jazz Fests:

Drums	6
Ain't Life Grand	6
Henry Parsons	6
Pigeons	6
Love Tractor	6
Bust It Big	5
Fishwater	5
Greta	5
Surprise Valley	5
Tall Boy	5
Walkin' For Your Love	5
Climb To Safety	4
Driving Song	4
Knockin' Around the Zoo	4
North	4
Porch Song	4
Rebirtha	4
Thought Sausage	4
Christmas Katie	4
Angels on High	3
Arleen	3
Blue Indian	3
Conrad	3
Disco	3
I Walk on Guilded Splinters	3
Imitation Leather Shoes	3
Pleas	3
Ride Me High	3
Up All Night	3
Space Wrangler	3
You Should Be Glad	3
Bayou Lena	2
Black Out Blues	2
Chill Water	2
Diner	2
Dying Man	2
Walk On The Flood	2
Give	2
Goin' Out West	2
Honkey Red	2
King Baby	2
Little Lily	2
Old Neighborhood	2
Pilgrims	2
Proving Ground	2
Radio Child	2
Red Hot Mama	2
Saint Ex	2
Sell Sell Sell	2
Thin Air	2
Travelin' Light	2
Wonderin'	2
One Arm Steve	1
Second Skin	1
Action Man	1
Already Fried	1
I'm Not Alone	1
All Time Low	1
Big Chief	1
Blight	1
Bowlegged Woman	1
Cease Fire	1
Can't Get High	1
When the Clowns Come Home	1
Coconuts	1
Contenment Blues	1
Cotton Was King	1
From the Cradle	1
Me and the Devil Blues	1
Doreatha	1
Down	1
Dirty Side Down	1
Dear Mr. Fantasy	1
Familiar Reality	1
Fixin' To Die	1
Good People	1
Gimme	1
Gradle	1
Hatfield	1
Her Dance Need No Body	1
Heroes	1
Holden Oversoul	1
Hope in a Hopeless World	1
Impossible	1
Jack	1
Jam	1
Papa Legba	1
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys	1
Little by Little	1
Makes Sense to Me	1
Nebulous	1
It Ain't No Use	1
Ophelia	1
On Your Way Down	1
Party at Your Mama's House	1
Pickin' Up The Pieces	1
Postcard	1
Protein Drink	1
Rock	1
Run For Your Life	1
Street Dogs for Breakfast	1
Sewing Machine	1
I'm So Glad	1
Steven's Cat	1
Stop Breakin' Down Blues	1
Superstition	1
Swamp	1
Tortured Artist	1
This Part of Town	1
Tie Your Shoes	1
You Wreck Me	1
Sleeping Man	1
We Walk Each Other Home	1

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Higher Love!