|
|
|
Written by Kurt Brighton
|
|
Thursday, 18 October 2007 |
|
|
|
|
 There’s a certain itchy spot in the American soul that, from time to time, chafes at being stuck in one spot. It’s the part of us that insistently tugs on our coattails, checking its watch, and demanding that we travel.
It’s probably born at least partly out of the great size of this country—Kerouac’s “On the Road” couldn’t have happened anywhere else. But there’s also a restlessness hard-wired into us as Americans; the legends and history of the country have embedded within us the notion that there is always a chance that something better waits just over the next ridge.
Enter the modern-day Okies, those who travel not out of desperation or privation, but simply because they can. Oh, and to hear some good music. Widespread Panic rolled into Loveland last weekend, and as always, the sideshow in the parking lot before the shows was almost as entertaining as what took place on stage.
“We saw them in Ogden last night, and tonight will be our 18th show of the year,” said Ellen Smith of Denver. “I’m from the South, so I’ve been seeing Panic since 1997. Their music just really energizes me and gets me moving. I’ve been doing this since I was in high school. Every time you see them it’s a different show.”
Well, it had better be. With some people claiming to have seen the Georgia-based band dozens of times—some claiming more than 50 shows—it would certainly get pretty bland after a while, if the band wasn’t mixing it up.
“I’ve seen them 10 or 11 times,” said Heidi Knudsvig of Fort Collins. “They never play the same set list, ever. Every show is a new show, and they have such great energy. Plus it’s such a great crowd, it’s like a family reunion every show. It doesn’t matter if it’s your 100th show or your first show, it’s still fun.”
And that’s what Widespread fans mention most often, next to the legendary unsettled set-list: the fans themselves. For Knudsvig, there’s something about Colorado fans in particular that makes Panic shows here extra-special.
“When I was in high school, a friend of mine took a trip to Georgia and came back with a tape of Panic, and I started listening to them a lot, especially after I moved to Colorado,” she said. “There’s something about Colorado that sparks interest in music—there’s a shift just a little to the left of the norm.”
But no matter where people come from, it seems like once they enter the orbit of Panic, they join a family type of atmosphere—granted, one with big kids doing what big kids do—but nonetheless a warm and welcoming environment. And in each town to which they travel to see the band, fans meet more family members. Like Phish before them, and the Grateful Dead before them, Panic has been anointed the crown prince of jam bands, and the family that has adopted them shows its devotion.
“We’re from the South, Kentucky, and we’ve probably seen them 50 times or more,” said Eric Cupp, lately of Aurora. “Every time you come it’s a different show, and it’s such a good vibe. It’s really good people here.” | Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. |
|
|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
We call it insight, you call it what you will. | |
|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
|  | Hola Amigos! I'm Sandra. I like to believe that people are 70 percent good and 30 percent dumb. I'm stickin to that story. Reading this blog might make you want to be good, but probably just dumb. | |
|  | Donovan Henderson is editor of NEXTnc. | |
|  | Here at Nextnc we have some characters. Get a sneak peak behind the curtain and find out what amusing antics our staffers get themselves into on a weekly basis. | |
|  | What is up FoCo?
I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
--Drew | |
|  | Life's little morsels of inspiration, observation and encouragement seen through the eyes of the Nextnc reporter.
| |
|  | Ms. Giles currently lives in Colorado where she stars in her own private reality show. She writes aphoristic accounts of her life, taken completely out of context, and embellished with characters and situations disguised to resemble something close to interesting. | |
|  | over and out | |
| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
|
|
