Written by The jam titans pulled off a 140-minute set with hometown guests on keyboards and horns before rain brought an early end to the action at the Fairgrounds.
By Scott Bernstein May 1, 2026 • 7:34 am PDT
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival made the right decision Thursday by shifting the time of Widespread Panic’s main stage set when storms threatened the Fairgrounds. Panic was able to pull off a guest-laden, 140-minute performance before the weather forced the cancellation of the last three hours of music.
The sextet was originally scheduled to take the Festival stage at 4:30 p.m. Panic’s set was one of a few to be moved up and the band took the stage just after 2 p.m. Thoughts of the coming downpour were forgotten as WSP delivered a joyous “Ain’t Life Grand” opener. Keyboardist JoJo Hermann then belted out “Greta” before the group performed “Knocking ‘Round The Zoo,” a cover of song James Taylor wrote inspired by his stay in a mental hospital.
“Surprise Valley” came next to showcase fretboard fireworks from Nick Johnson, who continues to fill in on lead guitar while Jimmy Herring receives treatment for tonsil cancer. “One Arm Steve” followed along with an extended “Saint Ex” and the band’s beloved take on JJ Cale’s “Travelin’ Light.”
The lengthy set moved forward with the funky “Thought Sausage” and the NOLA-inspired “King Baby” from the band’s 2024 album Hailbound Queen. Guitarist John Bell then led his bandmates through the Cream-popularized “I’m So Glad,” a favorite of WSP mentor Col. Bruce Hampton.
Keyboardist CR Gruver of The New Orleans Suspects settled in next to JoJo for the bombastic “Bust It Big.” Gruver vamped on organ while Hermann focused on the song’s urgent piano lick and lead vocal duties. The Crescent City resident previously sat in with Widespread Panic on June 26, 2015 at Red Rocks.
Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s Roger Lewis and Gregory Davis then emerged on saxophone and trumpet respectively for a wild “Fishwater” sandwich featuring an “Arleen” filling. Lewis and Davis have a history of sitting in with Panic that dates back to 1999. The NOLA musicians have made nearly 50 WSP guest appearances, but hadn’t performed with the band since 2016 until Thursday afternoon.
At 22 minutes, the “Fishwater” > “Arleen” > “Fishwater” sequence was a horn-fueled affair with raging guitar, double keys and a Duane Trucks/Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz breakdown. The segment sealed a set that nearly didn’t happen. Panic sent fans home early fans but grateful for the scheduling decision.
Watch audience-shot clips of Widespread Panic’s Jazz Fest set below:
Thursday @ Jazz Fest Photos by Adam McCullough
Audience Recording (Taped by Stuart Carter)
Setlist
Set: Ain’t Life Grand, Greta > Knockin’ Round the Zoo, Surprise Valley, One Arm Steve, St. Ex, Travelin’ Light, Thought Sausage, King Baby > I’m So Glad, Bust It Big* > Fishwater*# > Arleen*# > Fishwater*#
- * with CR Gruver
- # with Roger Lewis & Gregory Davis of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
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