Indy Recap Night 1 (8/8/25)
Listen to the entire show on Nugs or Relisten.
Data mined and explored via Everyday Companion.
JB came onto the stage with his hat backwards and he greeted the passionate crowd by saying “All right Indianapolis, been a while!” The crowd cheered, then the band toyed a bit with their instruments and we were ready to floor the gas pedal. A peppy drumbeat led us into Wondering. Smiles were seen all around this relaxed and easy going venue as we all knew it was going to be a great night. It’s understood that every time JB comes out with his hat on backwards (and sunglasses!) it’s an indicator of epic things to come! The band was feeling out the space for sound and light on this number and delivered a classic, tight knit version of their original song.
The next song played was Up All Night, which along with Wondering was last played on night 3 of Red Rocks. According to WATLO interns, JB was wielding his polished black Washburn HB-35 during this as well as the next song. Not sure how many fans pulled the disastrous move of skipping sleep on night zero, if so, this song was for yall! The band stretched out the jam just a bit and Jimmy got his fingers moving nicely. Around 5:21 the song got very quiet, reminiscent of the moment right before first light when the world is about to wake up, then JB added his outstanding god sent dawn-like lyrics. Right at 5:36 JB made some sort of Pocahontas reference, our interns listened to it over and over and over and over again and as close as they could decipher was perhaps “Pocahontas dreamed me all night” but we are not sure! The preacher man of mystery delivered yet again.
Radio Child filled the third spot; this classic hailing from the seminal 1997 album “Bombs and Butterflies” Jojo brought a most valuable player vibe when he uncorked his organ at around 2:33 in the song. The crowd was getting turnt up and the band was just getting started!
A classic song penned by Daniel Hutchens (Rise in Power, we love you Danny!) was the next number. This tight, dense version of Makes Sense to Me had a great bass intro with some light drums. Close listeners were treated to a unique introductory mini bass solo that was big sounding and really set the tone for a hard charging romp without too much coloring outside the lines.
Next up was Christmas Katie, our second clear shout out in the first set to the crew who didn’t sleep on night zero. Oopsie! Make it last all night! We at WATLO HQ are always trying to differentiate early between the intro to CK and Dirty Business, alas any time you hear Sunny’s sleigh bells, it’s 99.99% sure we aren’t getting into some dirty business just then. Tune in at 4:47 to hear a mighty JB hawk scream that dropped into a heavy little shred moment from Jimmy. After about two minutes of serious mid-song heat emitting from Herring’s PRS fret board, the song turned into a foggy and syrupy free-formed quiet jam that was highly unique.
The slow and goopy outro from CK was a great precursor to a seamless segue into our only true instrumental of the weekend, Machine. This original was spunky and kept true to composition on the way into the much anticipated deep drop into Barstools. That was pure Panic juice, getting the folks all lathered up to be pullin’ on their drinks. The first lyric “The barstool’s built for dreamers, we'll fit fine and find all the world's dreams have died” was omitted. Instead, it started with “Tonight they’re only taking thirsty people”. Boy oh boy were we ever thirsty after that long flight to Indiana and the impeccable hot humid Midwest weather. Jimmy got a little punchier and crackled to full power with some searing and tight flexed leads in the barstool jam segment. DAS kept it super funky throughout and the whole band seemed to be really enjoying this, the second of three total songs on N1 from the essential “Mom’s Kitchen” album (1991). Duane was working double time as the main jam steered into the epically funky breakdown and groove. Several tiny pauses and some sonic bass notes all made for a memorable latter half of Barstools where every man in the band had his time to shine.
After a short full stop at the end of Barstools, we heard some rattatatat cymbals, then the buttery smooth intro into a new song that seems to get sweeter at every run, Trashy. This song is played often, in some ways it's becoming a modern WSMFP anthem. JB switched up the lyric from “man” cutting grass is hard to “baby” cutting grass is hard. Little gems like this are often quiet; we always try to listen loud from the WATLO VIP box seats. We’ve been seeing a lot of hat pins on the lot emblemized to this song. It is a testament to how poignant this one truly is for both our southern-fried and nationwide fan base. WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES. Trucks, cars and guitars; where would any of us be without these three essentials? Jojo was more in the background on this number. Herring was right up front where he belongs on this latter day original, again showing his ownership of the role as The Panics’ guitar man. Jimmy is so good at respecting and playing the constitutional Houser leads, for that we are forever in awe and forever grateful. At the same time, it’s always special to have him rip new songs that are truly “his” without having to “mimic” an older sound. We love you Jimmy and it’s difficult to express how much gratitude is in our hearts for how much you have done to help keep this band on tour and always creative. Long live Jimmy!!! When it’s the White Wizard’s turn and it’s his lead, he stands tall and fully shreds. A slightly spacey and honky-tonk fade out gently closed Trashy and then led us into a much spookier key with some haunting piano and moaning guitar string bends. Every night is Halloween in Mr. Trashy's neighborhood, especially when followed by the Halloween face, another new ripping original. Good reminder to get our tickets secured for Savannah and make sure our hotels and flights are booked, as well as the headiest dinner reservations!
This song has a lot of fun costume ideas, we had one intern previously planning on donning “fried chicken thighs” as their main costume element. Upon hearing Mr. Bell change the lyric to “fried turkey thighs” (4:44) that plan has seriously come into question. So many tough choices to make! Is this a reference to the turkey leg our main character uses to beat a drum in the song “Thin air”? So much mystery, JB will always keep us wanting more, more, more (especially if it’s chicken, mmmmmmm chicken!!).
The heavy metal jam out of HF was heavy AF, as we have come to expect! The lights went berserk and the crowd did as well, thus sensing this was the first set closer. All observed dance moves had little regard for gracefulness, pace, or conservatism, it was full send and full rage Panic!! What a fun first set and justly so - the front man had his hat backwards and shades donned. No words to end the set, just your basic JB mic drop. Wow!!
The second set pre-opening tease had a bit of trickery from Dave, he clearly teased Makes Sense To Me (which was played in the first set), seeing who is paying attention! We were!! Those box seats ruled! Pass the popcorn…The tease dropped straight into bliss mode with the soaring start to Surprise Valley. Jimmy went all out and did the beloved Houser lead total justice while adding a tasteful edge of his signature PRS tone, just a touch. JB’s voice was holding strong and sounded perfect, everyone was joining the fun, and the percussion section obviously ate their wheaties at set break. Get it Sunny!!! Herring carried over his momentum from the strong first frame closer and was hitting this peak like he meant business and then some. The entire band was gelling on this ultimate classic, it was smiles for miles and the mountain air of Indy tasted oh so sweet to the kiss. Jojo got himself back into the mix with some jazz like piano infusions. The rest of the band stayed in the pocket and was a cohesive unit, delivering a fine version of this fan favorite.
A nice and seamless transition led by Schools’ bass mastery into C.Brown (our third selection from Mom’s Kitchen for the evening) moved the second set along with grace. This was a beautiful, careful version with our main character going through the trials of love, love lost, and drawing all about it on a chalkboard. Why worry when you can Panic? C.Brown stretched out a bit and allowed the faithful to really feel the tug at the heart strings and the bliss grow in our souls. Next we got a wee glimpse into the dark and dangerous side of Schools Zone with an Astronomy Domine instrumental tease. (Pink Floyd, released 8/5/67 on the “Piper at the Gates of Dawn” album) This happens to be the first track on the first album ever released by Pink Floyd. Definitely important rock history being taught to us here at the Amphitheater 58 years and 3 days after its release. This was classic acid rock done in a way that only Panic can do it. Head over to the Red Rocks night 3 recap to learn more about Panic using Astronomy Domine as sandwich “meat” super early on in their career.
Our next number was an undeniably savage version of Impossible. This was full-force second set Panic excellence and the intensity was turned up to 11 according to our home made logarithmic scale at the HQ. At 30 shows since the last time played, Impossible tied for the second longest gap with one other song (the other song was played on N2), and held the title for the longest song gap for night 1. This was the third longest gap of this song since Jimmy joined the band (52 show gap at the 4/20/15 show and a 45 show gap at the 3/27/07 show). The last time the band brought out Impossible was at PELP on 4/15/24. While this was a ferocious version of Impossible (the 456th time ever played), there were a couple extra minutes tacked on that held such a pretty and calming outro and end jam; again showcasing how this band can conjure magic and glory in so many forms. From fist pumping rage dancing into swaying and thinking about how much you need to call your mother and tell her you love her or eat all the food in the ice box, we’re here for it all. Every last bit. ¡Viva La Panic!
The soft and cloudy segue became a heavy shred from Jimmy’s PRS as we delved into the big, bad Vic Chesnutt powerhouse combo known as Protein Drink > Sewing Machine. Jimmy has really mastered the art of using his guitar feedback to make sure the mushrooms are really working for the crowd. As always, there was a huge crowd response when our mainstreet preacher man talked about how the mushrooms tasted so very very very very verrrry nasty in his mouth, biggest cheer of the night according to eyewitness reports. It was obviously a very pro-mushroom crowd in Indy, and really every night when the boys are in town. Protein definitely delivered the goods and JB’s voice was solid gold, worth every penny of the 10 million dollar insurance policy he has on each vocal cord. (That’s $20 million total coverage, we did the math…) Schools did an amazing job backing the vocals in the part about burning up a lucky streak in Santa Monica. He is a man of many talents, and then some. DAS for President!! A speedy and muscular transition into Sewing Machine brought us further into the story. It’s a great tale of a boy who is just living his life and not letting the haters get to him. It was interesting hearing a heady vocal chop up starting at 1:00, you will hear some powerful and progressive stutters. Be sure to listen for an unrestrained war cry from DAS at 1:11. So sick!! We have been put on notice: STFU!!!!! This guy is a legend. Good listeners also were treated to a call out from schools “What is it, what is it, what is it??” Next up it was time for Jimmy to melt faces in the middle part of the song. Everyone was getting some. Top shelf version, we miss you Vic and we love you! Rise in Power!
Sewing Machine led us into our second set mini-drums and it was time for Sunny and Duane to take it all out on the skins during a two minute drill while the rest of the boys took a very short and very quick breather. These two percussionists have really become a powerhouse duo and every Drums seems to be danceable and unique these days. Drums ain’t your grandpa’s piss song anymore y’all, it’s a time to get loose and shake that ass like a salt shaker. Post mini-drums the big dogs on stage dropped us back into SV to put a bow on a big ol’ sandwich. The biggest one since WATLO HQ was erected. Real talk y’all.
Observant heads got to see the full moon just start to peek over the tree tops at the rip into this Surprise reprise. Cosmic timing indeed. By this point in the show the Indy mountain air smelled a lot like super heady and dank reefer smoke. The end was perhaps not as mighty as the first half that opened the set (that Pro>Sew was a tough act to follow, straight nasty heat as it was). This short and sweet Surprise second half (aka sandwich bread) was just perfect being a bit jazzy and bright; it was a great segue from mini-drums and set up the opening of Airplane perfectly.
From the Ain’t Life Grand album, this song has had more than a few lot shirts printed and then worn out in its honor. It began with a nice run through the opening verses and hit the classic peaks at all the right times. The band gave it a very spirited go and there was a bit of a Jimmy-era takeoff jam before the song went into an abstract space jam for the last few minutes, a delightfully creative soundscape. We were all sound bathed with Colonel Brucey / Addams family vibes and also some very light cowbell filled the amphitheater as the crowd floated and swayed to and fro while they awaited what would come next. One of our beloved interns that was an eyewitness reporter said the Airplane jam was the peak of the night. The tension and curiosity created during this mini space and freedom of expression allowed even more beauty and grace to be on display as the gorgeous opening notes of Pilgrims introduced our next number. JB’s vocals were flawless and everyone took their time building slowly and surely to the peak; Herring especially lent his focus to a searing build before the soulful outro of this song, alternating blissfully between Jojo's tickling of the ivories and Schools’ dripping bass descent.
Next up: time to back it up and throw out your nastiest dance moves of the night. If you were saving any gas; it was about to be poured on the fire. DAS mountain was erupting and JOJO was letting it fly, full throttle to close out the second set. Some fans were saying this Red Hot Mama was a highlight of the show, they could definitely have been onto something. This number is a cover of a Funkadelic song that appears as the first track on the 1974 album “Standing on the Verge of getting it on”. (Here’s a live version from 1978, as we know our fanbase enjoys the live stuff) This is another prime example of a seemingly random cover song that has become one of Widespread's bread and butter songs to play live. This was the fourth time played in 2025. They have this one down to a science, a funky dirty science, the kind of perilous and guttural science that your mother warned you about. The central character of this song looks better and better as we, the aging fan base, still think we look fine and finer in all out regalia. Beauty is measured in many ways, and we at WATLO must say: each and every one of yall, at every show, sure look fine to us!! We saw you all from our VIP box seats. You are all beautiful! We are definitely the lucky ones. Listen in at 3:27 to hear Jojo make a case to be the MVP of this number, uncaged organ shredding. Let’s be real, the whole band was playing this song like they were trying to steal its lunch money and then stuff it into a garbage can.
Interestingly, as one of our ground reporters noticed, Jojo didn’t sing at all in the second set. Stay tuned for the encore because that’s all about to change. RHM finished strong and the dance party was foaming at the face, all time set closer. Someone get me a towel and bring my girlfriend some fresh panties!! Hot Damn!
Next was the encore. Two Jojo songs!! Both Panic originals, both starting with the letter B. First up was Big Wooly Mammoth, the 274th lifetime performance of this song that was released on the 2001 album “Don’t Tell the Band”. It was only BWM’s third ever appearance as the first song of the encore, meaning this has only happened 0.01095% of the time this song had been played. Being that this was approximately WSP’s 3,235th show, it means BWM has only ever opened the encore 0.000927% of the time. What a boondoggle indeed! According to our careful research at WATLO HQ , the only other times they played BWM to start the encore were 11/19/98, and 7/10/08. This version was high energy and showcased what Jojo can bring to the table when he is raring to go and off the leash. The crowd was getting a bit winded from night zero shenanigans along with the Big Wooly pace, yet the Panics showed little mercy with a segue straight into another dance number.
Our last song of the evening would again be delivered by Mr. Hermann, and we must say he has been an absolute man on a mission ever since healing up and getting back to full super powers. There were several songs throughout this evening where the keys were up front and kept the party going, this Blackout Blues (Ain’t Life Grand 1994) held another example of this. Seems like Jojo might be making up for lost time and he’s doing a sporting job of it! Mets hats off to the man, the myth, and the legend. GO JOJO.
Wow what a show, JFB left us with “All right thanks for having us back, Indianapolis, we had a lovely time!”
The full moon kept climbing into the night sky as folks and crews assembled for family photos and big hugs. A few may have been searching for their faces on the floor, or maybe just a useful ground score. More was in store the following night, so heads hit the showers, threw on some JGB, and got some rest, especially those that stayed up all night on night zero. JB and the Panics will be right back.