By the time Widespread Panic took the stage for Night Two of Panic en la Playa in Riviera Maya, the vibe had fully settled in. The travel stress was gone, the routines were established, and the crowd was locked into the rhythm of sun, sand, and sound. Night One always carries anticipation. Night Two carries confidence. You could feel it in the air before a note was played.
That confidence translated directly into the music.
Set One: Letting the Show Breathe
The opening notes of “Greta” rolled out casually but deliberately, JoJo Hermann setting the tone with his trademark swagger. It’s a song Panic has leaned on for years, and here it felt especially comfortable—loose, welcoming, and perfectly suited for an open-air stage surrounded by palm trees and warm night air.
“Blight” followed, with Dave Schools pushing the groove into heavier territory. The band dug in early, letting the song stretch just enough to show they were in no rush. From there, “Wondering” softened the edges, John Bell delivering the lyrics with an unforced sincerity that carried effortlessly across the venue.
“Little By Little” kept the emotional arc steady. The song continues to mature live, and on this night it felt less like a newer addition and more like a natural extension of the band’s catalog. The pacing of the set was intentional—no sharp turns, just a gradual widening of the road.
That road opened up fully during “Airplane.” The jam expanded patiently, each player adding subtle layers rather than competing for space. When the band slid seamlessly into “Pusherman,” the crowd reaction said everything. The Curtis Mayfield cover hadn’t appeared in years, and its return felt both surprising and completely logical. Panic leaned hard into the funk without overplaying it, letting the groove simmer and stretch, the band clearly enjoying the moment as much as the audience.
The final stretch of the set—“We Walk Each Other Home” into “Conrad”—brought things back to a grounded, communal place. These weren’t throwaway closers. They were reminders of why this band still resonates: shared experience, emotional honesty, and a deep sense of connection between stage and crowd.
Set Two: The Long, Winding Core
After the break, “Travelin’ Light” opened the second set with a relaxed, bluesy pulse. It was the perfect re-entry point, easing everyone back in without forcing the energy.
That ease disappeared quickly once “Barstools and Dreamers” kicked in. The tempo jumped, the crowd surged, and the band leaned into the song’s rowdy, freewheeling spirit. From there, the set dove headfirst into its deepest waters.
“Bear’s Gone Fishin’” bled naturally into “Surprise Valley,” and this is where Night Two truly took shape. The jam sprawled, twisting and evolving, with the rhythm section driving relentlessly while the guitars and keys explored the edges. When the band dropped into “Drums,” it felt less like a pause and more like a ritual—tribal, hypnotic, and perfectly suited to the tropical surroundings.
The transition into “Me and the Devil Blues” stripped everything back down to the bone. Raw, gritty, and haunting, it provided a stark contrast before the band surged back into a “Surprise Valley” reprise. The payoff was massive, the crowd fully aware they’d been led through something intentional and earned.
“Blue Indian” lifted spirits again, its melodic warmth cutting through the night air. “Henry Parsons Died” followed, quieting the room with its weight and storytelling. Bell delivered it without excess, letting the song’s gravity do the work.
“Blackout Blues” closed the set with grit and momentum, sending the crowd into the encore break buzzing, sweaty, and smiling.
Encore: Message and Release
The encore opened with “For What It’s Worth,” its familiar message carrying a reflective tone that felt especially resonant in the moment. Thousands of voices sang along, not loudly, but together.
To end the night, “Climb to Safety” did exactly what it always does: brought everyone into the same emotional space. Arms went up, voices rose, and the sense of shared experience peaked one last time before the lights came up.
Final Thoughts
Night Two of Panic en la Playa wasn’t flashy or forced. It was confident, patient, and deeply musical. The band trusted the material, trusted each other, and trusted the crowd. The jams were allowed to breathe, the setlist flowed naturally, and the entire show felt like it was unfolding exactly as it should.
As fans filtered back toward the resorts and the sound of the ocean replaced the amplifiers, one thing was clear: the run had found its footing. Night Two wasn’t just a continuation—it was the moment where the week truly began.
Setlist – Night Two
Set 1:
Greta >
Blight >
Wondering
Little by Little
Airplane >
Pusherman (Curtis Mayfield cover, first time since 2021)
We Walk Each Other Home
Conrad
Set 2:
Travelin’ Light (J.J. Cale cover)
Barstools and Dreamers
Bear’s Gone Fishin’ >
Surprise Valley >
Drums >
Me and the Devil Blues (Robert Johnson cover) >
Surprise Valley (reprise)
Blue Indian
Henry Parsons Died (BloodKin cover)
Blackout Blues
Encore:
For What It’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield cover)
Climb to Safety (Jerry Joseph cover)