Widespread Panic at the Fox Theatre

CRITIC'S PICK:
Tues., Dec. 30
Widespread Panic, Fox Theater - It's another multi-night stand ending on New Year's Eve for Athens' journeyman jammers. At this point, no one needs to be reminded of the blues-influenced Panic's sound or popularity, especially in Atlanta where they have headlined almost since their 1988 debut. Dozens of live and far less studio albums later, they are still going strong with last year's Hellbound Queen studio set displaying how viable they remain, nearly 40 years after forming. Spread-heads will be out in force for these shows, as usual, but even newcomers will appreciate the sheer talent and inventiveness that has kept the rootsy band fresh and made them superstars in the jam genre they helped define. - Hal Horowitz