Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Morrison, CO
May 31, 1996
For the 6th volume of Porch Songs, we take the trip to Widespread Panic’s second home…Colorado…for the band’s first headlining performance at Red Rocks. Considered by music fans worldwide as the best natural outdoor venue on our planet, Red Rocks is indeed a sacred place that, for both Widespread Panic and its fans, feels just like home. 
In a quarter century of touring, Widespread Panic has logged about 140 shows in Colorado…of which 39 have been at Red Rocks. Only two other venues have held more Panic performances…the Uptown Lounge (85+) and the Georgia Theater (41+). And both of those are of course in the band’s home town of Athens, GA. Many classic venues gather in the 20+ performance range such as The Fox, Philips Arena, UNO Lakefront Arena, Walnut Creek, Oak Mountain, The Warfield Theater…but outside of Athens, Red Rocks is THE place. And when considering Red Rocks itself and its attendance records…Widespread Panic continues to raise the bar as the years pass by. Not that records are something to strive for…rather, they are just the result of an ongoing collision of the perfect venue, a band continually honing its craft, and, of course, plenty of dedicated fans.
The journey to becoming the Red Rocks house band began, oddly enough, back on 3/6/90 in Telluride, CO when the band took the postcard advice of their good friend, Bear, ventured out to the Rockies and eventually found Colorado to be their kind of place. Over the next few years they played their hearts out and then in 1996, finally found themselves headlining what would be the first of 35 consecutive sellouts at Red Rocks. This soundboard recording captures not only what would become a historical show for both the band and the venue, but some great music as well…as the band really lays down the heat…..which is not always the easiest thing to do…creating art when you’re supposed to.
The pilgrimages to Red Rocks and Colorado over the years have certainly been life staples for both the band and the fans. As fans, we seem to be inately aware of our great fortune of being able to continally fuel our dreams with great music, old and new friends, and the fantastic scenery of an incredible venue. Those pilgrimages are never complete though without at least one pause during the run to check in on reality and discover that…Yes, I really am here…and so is the band. Again. And I don’t ever, ever, ever want to leave!
Order your copy of the May 31, 1996 Red Rocks show here
Feedback is always welcome and I really do listen…most of the time, so drop me a line at archives@widespreadpanic.com
Photos by Thomas G. Smith / Setlist by Garrie Vereen
Thanks again Horace for all you do. I have been really appreciating the stuff you have been putting out!
Can’t wait to listen!
Thanks Horace for doing what you do.
Sick selection. Thanks for this. I remember the excitement taking my first road-trip to Red Rocks, for Panic’s first headliner appearance at the historic famous venue.
Dgold, Honest Tunes Radio
Great choice! This show stands up as one of their best shows at Red Rocks and the road trip convinced me to move to CO. Thanks Horace! 3 of the 6 releases are on my wish list. Bring on Fox Theatre 1-2-98.
i can’t tel you how much i appreciate you taking the time to work on this project.
fantastic job. keep up the amazing work.
Really nice WP, got the mp3 to jam to until my CDs arrive, really love this stuff. I listen to the current WP so much, that I really can tell right away when Mike is on lead, whole different jam session, each musician brings a different sound for sure. Thanks Horace, keep it coming.
Phil
Sweet Crowd at that show!, Wish I were there.
this was the last show at red rocks that you could bring booze into…. ah the good ole days
Horace, you are the man! Great show here…fabulous! It is always, and I mean always, a treat to hear Mikey! I love Jimmy, but Mikey was the band’s heart and soul and you capture that with every release! Keep ‘em coming!
Matt
This was my second show. I don’t think I blinked for three hours. Leftover as a opener was also a eye opener. I had no idea who Leftover Salmon was until that day. Magic was in the air, the God’s knew they had something special going down. Thanks boys…
Thanks Horace! There’s a big gap to fill between Memphis ’97 and Santa Fe ’01. Maybe a little Summer ’98 from the Travelin’ Light Tour next? Doubt those one set shows will get the full release treatment but there was a lot of great music played that summer and an evolution in the band’s sound can certainly be heard between ’97 and ’99.
I LOVE AIENT LIFE GRAND!!!
Thanks Horace! I still remember bits and pieces of this show. One memory that sticks out was the large, bright moon hanging in the sky the entire second set, seemed like the band was playing Porch in its honor. Appreciate all you do!
Best,
Matthew Sonka
Great show! Any chance you may dig up a show from the Ball tour? The show they did in Tallahassee for that tour is still one of my favorites. Thanks again for the crunchy tunes Horace!
This was such an incredible show…Memorial Day weekend…band was reaching peak levels…Red Rocks.