Missoula N2 (7/8/2026)

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“The same rowdy crowd that was here last night is back again.”

Since we all knew the drill, the atmosphere getting to the show and into the venue seemed much more calm and relaxed. In our experience, the second night of a two-night run always feels noticeably more settled and centered from everyone: the band, the crew, and the fans. We witnessed venue staff sternly reminding people they could only cross the street at the one designated crosswalk, rather than hop over the rocky ditch to access the porta johns. Their rules were quite upfront and center, akin to lifeguards at the pool when you were a kid. 

Regardless of the how, we all seemed to get into the venue and secure our positions. Having experienced the lawn the night before, we opted to rage the aisle between the box seats this time. We had cracked the Kettlehouse code, as this appeared to be the flattest spot with the best view and sound in the venue. Don’t tell your friends. 

The band took the stage slightly earlier at 8:11 pm. After shining so brightly the night before, it only made sense that Nick started the entire show with the familiar lick to “I’m So Glad.” This was only the third time in the 30 times total played that ISG found its way into the first set. The other two times, they used the Cream song to close the first set (4/21/19 and 1/14/23). Therefore, this was the FIRST EVER time the band opened a show with I’m So Glad, channeling Colonel Bruce. Unbeknownst to us, we were actually celebrating the 23rd anniversary of the first time Panic played this song (7/8/03). It was then shelved until 6/25/17 at Red Rocks, 957 shows later. A fabulous way to kick off a show, we knew we were in for a treat that night!

Then, it happened. Our first repeat since Red Rocks. During the Shakedown event earlier that day, fans were hopeful that the band may go six shows without a repeat. Alas, it’s very appropriate the song that broke the no repeat streak was Little By Little, the song they’ve played the most over the last 100 shows (33). Every version of this song has been played within the last one hundred Panic shows. Yes, they play it a lot. But that also meant they have it dialed in! It was dirty, danceable, told their autobiographical story, and it slapped. What more could you want out of a Panic tune? Fans added a little “woo!” at the very end when they did the guitar progression that’s distinctly the ending of LxL.

Jojo kicked off the next song, Blackout Blues. JB was on the slide guitar and crushed it! He was loud and clear and up in the mix. Cray Cray was excited to tell us about JB’s fit. Obviously wearing a fresh pair of blue jeans, the ladies seemed to observe they were noticeably tighter than his typical loose-cut pants. She was convinced he procured them earlier that day at TJ Maxx. The combination of his form fitting new jeans with his backwards hat and sunglasses made the truest fans all weak in the knees, men and women alike. It was clear during the second song that the band was warmed up, hot and rearing to go! They got us all dancing hard, really setting the tone for the show. Lots of gas, not a lot of brakes. From where we were, in our barged box seats, and compared to recent experiences in Vegas and NOLA, the crowd seemed a lot less blackout drunk. 

JB introduced the next song completely solo, Old Joe. Forty-three seconds into JB’s solo performance, the rest of the band joined in as they performed one of our favorite ballads. We hope that YOU live long and lucky. Last played in Asheville this past summer, it had been almost an entire calendar year since we were graced with this beautiful song. At 45 songs since the last time JB told us about slow-moving Joe, this was the second largest song gap of the show, and Nick’s first time playing it.

After barely a pause, the band launched into Worry. This was another first for Nick Johnson, as the last time we couldn’t keep our feet warm was in Port Chester last fall. Part of the band's repertoire very early on, it’s not played as much these days. In 2016, they played it ten times but then it quickly fell out of popular rotation. Here are the number of times they’ve played it in the last decade:

• 2017 - 2

• 2018 - 2 

• 2019 - 1 

• 2020 - 1 

• 2021 - 1 

• 2022 - 4 

• 2023 - 2 

• 2024 - 2 

• 2025 - 3

• 2026 - 1 (so far!)

Never recorded in the studio, the only official release of this song is on Live in the Classic City. They nailed it. The ferocious dancing returned, stank faces abound. JB did such a good job. It seemed like he could belt this one out fairly easily without needing to play it often. 

With the name of the band being Widespread Panic we’ve seen plenty of lot shirts that say “why worry when you can panic?!” After reviewing all of our reasons to worry, the band gave us an opportunity to sweat them all out. Shout out to Natasha, who we interviewed at the Lucky Ones Shakedown event! She requested Pickin’ Up The Pieces. The 505th version, and Nick’s second as lead guitarist, was damn near perfect. Not quite as rippin’ as Blackout, nor as slow as Old Joe, this one has such a great groove. Very steady, approachable, and easy to dance to without becoming completely dehydrated. Jojo’s keys were so groovy, like a 70’s disco party, solid gold! Old Jojo really came through this show, shining brightly as ever. 

They came to a complete stop. Soon after, the band cohesively dove into Tacklebox Hero, a song about smokin’ weed and fishing. Two of Panic fans’ favorite activities, especially in Montana. Speaking of herbal medicine, let’s shout out our title sponsor, Higher Love! Check out their website and buy some of their incredible merch, with artwork from several of our favorite poster artists. Thank you! They dropped into a jam, we affectionately named The Rod & Reel Jam, we heard a twang and bent string that reminded us of the Allman Brothers. Perhaps Nick’s recent duet with Duane Betts was carrying over a bit in this song. This was the 18th time the song was played in concert. TBH can now vote, buy cigarettes, and go to war. Thank you for your service! Keep on makin’ waves. They really nailed the Rod & Reel Jam, coming to an epic peak before Nick started the TBH guitar lick. Fishing songs seemed appropriate for the location of the best fly fishing in the world! 

Speaking of fishing, next they just dropped into Bears Gone Fishing without any sort of watery spacey intro. DAS bass dropped us straight into the mystery of Bears’ disappearance. From where we were dancing, baby certainly seemed like a freak show. Around the 7-minute mark they dropped into a jam, called The Honey Bucket Jam. This was a high quality jam, recommended for toast, bagels, waffles, and biscuits. It was quintessential psychedelic rock. Dave brought us back to the mystery at-hand with the Bears bassline. He then teased Sharon with the recognizable nursery rhyme-style bassline about the place in France where the naked ladies dance. 

We’re not sure if Missoula has one of those places, but if it does, we didn’t go. Dancers work for tips only, next on the number one stage, Sharon! We can’t quantify these numbers, but it’s likely this is one of the top ten most crowd pleasing songs that Widespread Panic plays. Looking around at the crowd, everyone is so happy, a true Spreadneck wears the term “rowdy” with pride and joy. Rowdy but true. Keep it up, boys and girls! Watching some people dance we weren’t quite sure if their back had any bones. While a bit shorter and less improvisational than other recent Sharons, this one was still incredibly energetic and packed a punch. Around 7-minutes, they quieted and slowed down, as JB caressed his guitar. Jojo teased Parliament, P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up). As JB sang about it being years since the carnival was in town, we couldn’t help thinking about how many years it’s been since they played in Montana, 13. Dave fired some vocal shots that seemed inspired (9:13), “It drives them wild, baby!!” “Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Sharon and her soft sneeze.”  JB then released one of the wildest hawkish cries we’ve heard him make this year. Holy wow. 

That concluded one of the longest (if not THE longest) first sets of 2026. Clocking in at 78-minutes! Sixty seems to be the going average for a first set. We were blown away! 

After an incredibly short 31-minute set break, the band members joined each other back on stage and kicked off the final set of Missoula with Porch Song. Dave was so fired up and animated. He danced around the stage, added unexpected vocals (lots of “woos!”), and smiled big. He really stepped up in the second set, playing and singing more ferociously than we’ve seen recently, displaying strong leadership. We could see him using hand signals to organize transitions and helped Nick navigate certain spots in songs. 

They quickly began Holden Oversoul after taking a pause. Shoutout to Carey, our box-mate, who shared that this is her favorite song! It was so fun dancing with you! We analyzed the data of which set this song is played since Duane joined the band (10/3/14), as we intuited that a second set placement seemed less common than a first set placement:

Zoel helped Nick with his only guitar change of the run. Honky Red was up next, a cover of Canadian folk singer Murray McLauchlan. Having only debuted this song on 4/5/14, just over 12 years ago, they’ve already played it 93 times! By this point in the show, the sky was fully dark and the band was lit in all red. The lights during the show were phenomenal. Our hats off to Mr. Paul Hoffman. We were blown away by your creations, and they added so much to the already extraordinary show from a musical standpoint. To continue with the bear theme, the “face like a grizzly bear” line could have easily been interpreted as a nod to the University of Montana Grizzly Bears! GO GRIZ - FIGHT ON!! JB’s vocals were so powerful and stock full of emotion. Nick slung his last guitar back over his shoulder to complete his singular guitar change of the 2-night run. 

Sunny’s talking drum emerged and Rock started up. Another repeat from Red Rocks that we were not mad about. This is another number where each member is featured prominently with the ability to go off as hard as they can without worrying about stepping on the other ones’ toes. At 741 times played, they killed this version. Everyone shined and gelled in the most glorious of ways. Nick really got out there, yet each person was trying as hard as they could. Predator Panic FTW! JB sung, “there goes my thoughts” and “there goes my belly, babe” as Schools contributed spectacular backup vocals, including the R-rated “piece by mother fucking piece.” JB was ad-libbing in the best ways possible, verging on inaudible. We did pick up “when the river dries up, I’m gonna sweep all my sin right there on top of the mountain top. Ahhhh now, now, now, now.” 

They finished Rock and started noodling around in a real spacey manner. If they hadn’t played Proving Ground the night before, that would have been a good guess. But, alas it was Impossible. LET’S EFFIN GOOOO! Time for all out rage dancing as JB creatively switched up lyrics as he tends to do in this one. About halfway through, it got a little spooky and slightly scary. Jojo’s keys were especially haunting. Eventually, they led into what sounded like some sort of funeral march. Overall, it was a very creative Impossible that they took places. Praise JBesus! 

At 10:40 pm local time, JB left the stage. Then, at 10:42 pm, Schools and Nick left the stage; however, Nick kept his axe around his neck and stayed on the side stage to watch his buddy beat his heads. This was a Sunny-centric Drums, he had two audible cheers from the audience. One Head that was in the bathroom thought JB came back on stage, but it was just the crowd cheering wildly for the eldest member of the band. Sunny just turned 74 on the Fourth of July. We’ve gotta credit Zahara here for her work on the whistle. You go, sister!

At 10:54 pm, the other band members joined their pals, Duane and Sunny, to kick off the biggest LTP gap of the run, Nobody’s Fault. Last played 112 shows ago on 3/5/23, this was the only “dust off” of the run, defined as a song with a 50-500 show gap. Written by Joseph 'Blind Willie' Johnson, released in 1928. Their first time playing it was on 2/13/86, and this was the 73rd time the band performed it. Nick got to showcase his skills at the blues guitar again. The entire band exploded at 4:11 all contributing ferociously. Similarly to the MATDB from the night before, Nick Johnson really turned this one into a monster of a cover. JB added some lyrics: “Sister taught me how to swim, brother taught me how to fight.” The band backed off their instruments, and the two founding members of the band harmonized the lyrics and eventually backed off their own microphones letting the crowd finish the song. It was the biggest sing-a-long we’ve ever witnessed. From where we were dancing, fans seemed incredibly engaged and very willing to participate. Schools was so grateful for all the participation and motioned his hands in a prayer gently bowing, thanking the audience for that memorable experience shared between band and fans. 

Nick launched into B of D, the only instrumental of the two-night run in Montana. Last played in Milwaukee at the band’s annual Riverside run, this was Nick’s first time playing the instrumental we all know the words to. Beeeeeee of Deeeeeeee. It was short and packed a huge punch. Go Panic!

Then, DAS kicked off the most beloved bassline intro at WATLO HQ. We met a kid at set break who had four bottles of water and his mom was consoling him, promising the Chilly Water. He was practically in tears that they hadn’t played it yet. Well, this one is for you, son! We hope you sprayed that water allllll over the place. Personally, we unleashed two full nalgenes into the seats in front of our barged box. We absolutely, undeniably got this bitch wet! Sorry, not sorry! We certainly missed this one at Red Rocks, typically one of the wetter Chilly’s due to the lenient water rules (sealed containers allowed + empty bottles allowed). All the Bend normies attending the shows this weekend can mark themselves safe from chilly water. However, California normies may want to bring their umbrellas and rain jackets to the shows. Jojo had a great unexpected solo, earning his stripes. He shined in a really big way, really since Red Rocks. All six of them were playing as if their lives depended on it, as if they’d never play in the Treasure State once more. Considering dozens of fans had the longest drive of the entire tour the following day (over 500 miles), many of us could relate to riding on to another city tonight. What a show! They didn’t leave an ounce on the table, and neither did we. 

Without a word, at 11:17 pm, JB raised both his arms up and did jazz hands before the band exited. It was a complete mic drop, no words necessary, just some jazzy fingers. 

Three minutes later, they came back on the stage. Quite frankly, we were hoping for a ballad or two, as the entire second set was all throttle and no brakes. Alas, they came out swinging again with an incredibly  meaty 3-song encore. Of the 734 times this song has been performed live by Widespread Panic, it has only ever been played in the encore 8 times. Here are all 8 times along with the entirety of the encore:

• 01/13/89 (second encore) - Barstools and Dreamers

• 10/01/88 - Barstools and Dreamers, Heaven

• 10/26/90 - Barstools and Dreamers

• 10/04/05 - If You'se A Viper, Barstools and Dreamers, Travelin' Light

• 07/27/10 - Blight > Barstools and Dreamers

• 04/02/11 - From The Cradle > Machine > Barstools and Dreamers

• 01/31/12 - Gimme, Machine > Barstools and Dreamers

• 07/08/26 - Barstools and Dreamers, Thought Sausage > Travelin' Light

Dave had to find a new way to start Barstools without the classic Machine transition that seems so effortless. With a few plucks, he created the beginning of a rare standalone Barstools. We were throwing it back and down and all around with our fun loving neighbors. What a time to wear a stank face and let it all hang loose! Plenty of energy was left in the crowd to continue swinging those hips. JB added some extra umph when he included a few “hold it”s while describing baby not holding anything back. It was impressive to witness them all playing so aggressively even up to the last minute. Around 9:50 they all exploded into a frenzy, the energy coming off the stage was insane. Just when we thought there would be a peak, they kept going, resulting in a massive one minute & 15 seconds of build-up to an epic crescendo until we were led back into the Barstools drop. JB got to show off his shredding skills again, we felt like this was one of his best guitar-playing performances we have been lucky enough to witness. Turn the man wayyyyyyyy up! 

JB quickly led into the next song, Thought Sausage. Certainly not the rock ballad we were expecting to follow Barstools. It was time to make some gumbo, laughing in the summer time! What a rager! They segued perfectly into Travelin’ Light, ending the two nights in Missoula with their rendition of the JJ Cale cover. This was the third song performed this evening that is in the 4-digit club (aka, it’s been played over 1,000 times). Chilly Water, Porch Song, and Travelin’ Light have all been mastered over 1,000 times. How impressive! We couldn’t help but think of our trip to Bend the following day. We aren’t travelin’ very light, more like carrying the weight of the world; but we were planning on a big travel day upon waking up. Our friend made a great joke after the show about seeing us in “let your mind and body bend” so we had that going for us too. Nick ripped into an epic solo at 3:57, and with Schools thumping behind him and Duane hitting his drumkit harder than we’ve ever witnessed, it was a pure cacophony of mega sound and delight emanating off the stage. What an ending! What a show! A+++++ to the Panics! 

Another wordless exit. Time will tell the next time they’ll play in Montana. They brought the heat, that’s for sure! See ya’ll in Bend! 

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Higher Love!