Widespread Panic Performed With Special Guests

The band delivered a set featuring guest musicians and a debut at the Mempho Music Festival in Memphis.

Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Reggae

Widespread Panic Performed With Special Guests

Widespread Panic took the stage at the Mempho Music Festival on October 10, 2026. The performance featured several guest musicians including Ivan Neville, Chuck Leavell, and Randall Bramblett.

Why it matters

The performance was notable for guest appearances and the live debut of Come and Go Blues, which was originally released on the 1973 album Brothers and Sisters.

The setlist featured a rare return for the song Get In Get Out, which had not been performed by the band in 1,209 shows. The band also debuted Come and Go Blues, a track from the 1973 Allman Brothers Band album.

The players

Widespread Panic

An American rock band formed in 1986 in Athens, Georgia, known for their extensive touring and improvisational live performances.

Ivan Neville

A singer, keyboardist, and member of the musical Neville family who frequently collaborates as a session musician.

Chuck Leavell

A prominent keyboardist known for his work with The Rolling Stones and The Allman Brothers Band.

Randall Bramblett

A multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who has worked extensively with various rock and blues artists.

Nick Johnson

A guitarist who performed with the band in Memphis in place of regular member Jimmy Herring.

The details

Nick Johnson stepped in on guitar for Jimmy Herring during the Memphis concert. The band integrated multiple musical segues, transitioning between Red Hot Mama, Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys, and Get In Get Out.

Timeline

  1. October 10, 2026: Widespread Panic headlined the Mempho Music Festival.

  2. July 30, 1991: Chuck Leavell first performed with Widespread Panic.

  3. January 2, 1998: Randall Bramblett first performed with Widespread Panic.

Industry Dynamics

The performance aligns with the broader industry trend of jam bands incorporating legendary guest musicians to elevate live festival sets. This collaboration mirrors the classic touring models established by southern rock icons, emphasizing legacy repertoire and spontaneous cross-genre improvisation.

Fans attending the Mempho Music Festival experienced unique musical collaborations not available on standard tour dates. Those who missed the October 10 performance may catch the band's second scheduled show at the same venue on October 11.

The takeaway

Collaborative festival sets often provide fans with rare opportunities to hear legacy tracks performed with specialized guest instrumentation. Attendees can benefit from looking up festival schedules in advance to spot potential encore appearances or guest collaborations.

What happens next

Widespread Panic is scheduled to perform at the Mempho Music Festival again on October 11, 2026.

Further reading

For more on the local music scene, visit Reggae.