Atlanta, December 30, 2025
News Summary
Widespread Panic celebrated the upcoming New Year with a lively concert at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, featuring special guest Billy Strings. The performance was the first of three shows, highlighting the band’s extensive catalog, including originals and covers. The return is particularly significant following an eight-month hiatus due to guitarist Jimmy Herring’s health issues, with anticipation building for the sold-out performances on December 30 and 31.
Atlanta
Widespread Panic kicked off their annual New Year’s Eve celebration with a concert at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta on December 29, 2025. This performance marks the first of three consecutive shows by the band, each designed to welcome the New Year with a vibrant musical atmosphere.
The concert featured a mix of audience favorites and original compositions, showcasing Widespread Panic’s extensive catalog. A standout moment was the appearance of Billy Strings, a renowned bluegrass musician, who was introduced as a special guest during the performance. Strings’ contributions were longer than those in his previous collaboration with the band at the Chicago Theatre in June 2025, where he had also performed.
During the concert, Strings adeptly switched from his usual acoustic guitar to an electric guitar, adding a distinct flavor to the musical experience. The evening opened with a rousing rendition of “Let’s Get Down to Business” by Vic Chesnutt. Frontman John Bell led the band through a series of their original songs, including popular tracks such as “Makes Sense to Me,” “One Arm Steve,” and “Little By Little.” In a departure from their originals, the band showcased a selection of covers, starting with Neil Young’s “Walk On,” followed by Chesnutt’s “Sleeping Man” and “Aunt Avis.” The first set wrapped up with the band’s own “Rebirtha” leading into “Conrad.”
The second set commenced with “Little Kin” and featured additional performances of “Machine,” “Barstools and Dreamers,” and a cover of Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).” An interesting transition occurred during the set when Widespread Panic played “Goodpeople,” which was followed by “Dark Bar” before returning to “Goodpeople.” Billy Strings joined on stage after “Goodpeople” to further enrich the performance.
Strings began his segment with a classic, performing Robert Johnson’s “Stop Breakin’ Down Blues.” Following this, the band and Strings engaged in an extended jam session that included interpretations of “Fishwater” and “Surprise Valley.” The set concluded with “Blackout Blues.” For the encore, Widespread Panic performed “There Is a Time” by The Dillards and “Mr. Soul” by Buffalo Springfield, featuring Billy Strings once more.
This concert highlights Widespread Panic’s tradition of high-profile collaborations, particularly emphasizing their ongoing connection with Billy Strings, who they have previously performed with multiple times since 2019. Anticipation builds for the remaining concerts on December 30 and December 31, 2025, both of which are sold out. This celebratory concert follows an eight-month hiatus for the band, largely due to guitarist Jimmy Herring’s cancer treatment, making their return to Atlanta significant for fans and the band alike.
Upcoming Performances
The following concerts on December 30 and 31, 2025, are sold out, indicating strong demand for Widespread Panic’s performances during this festive season.
Setlist Highlights
The detailed setlist for December 29 included a well-balanced mix of originals and covers, making the show a memorable experience for attendees:
- Let’s Get Down to Business
- Makes Sense to Me
- One Arm Steve
- Little By Little
- Walk On
- Sleeping Man
- Aunt Avis
- Rebirtha
- Conrad
- Little Kin
- Machine
- Barstools and Dreamers
- Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
- Goodpeople
- Dark Bar
- Blackout Blues
- There Is a Time
- Mr. Soul
Widespread Panic and Billy Strings Collaboration
The group has established a robust history of collaboration with Billy Strings, performing together on multiple occasions since 2019, showcasing a unique blend of genres and musical styles.
Background of Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic is a staple in the rock scene, celebrated for their improvisational style and engaging performances. Their return to Atlanta follows a challenging period marked by the health concerns of guitarist Jimmy Herring, bringing their loyal fanbase a sense of renewed excitement and connection through their music.
FAQ
When did Widespread Panic start their New Year’s run?
Widespread Panic commenced the first of three concerts at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta on December 29, 2025.
Who was the special guest at the concert?
Bluegrass musician and guitar hero Billy Strings was introduced as a special guest during the concert.
What were some of the songs performed during the concert?
The concert included performances of original songs like “Makes Sense to Me,” “One Arm Steve,” and covers such as Neil Young’s “Walk On.”
What is the significance of this concert for Widespread Panic?
This concert continues Widespread Panic’s tradition of high-profile collaborations and marks their return to Atlanta after an eight-month hiatus due to guitarist Jimmy Herring’s cancer treatment.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| City | Atlanta |
| Date | December 29, 2025 |
| Venue | The Fox Theatre |
| Special Guest | Billy Strings |
| Set Highlights | Originals and Covers including “Let’s Get Down to Business,” “Walk On,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” |
| Upcoming Concerts | December 30 and 31, 2025 (Sold Out) |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
First Friday Food Fest Returns to Atlanta
Atlanta Offers Free Halloween Celebrations for All Ages
Atlanta Welcomes Family-Friendly Halloween Season with Events
Chef G. Garvin Explores Savannah’s Culinary Treasures
Clark Atlanta University Achieves Top Rankings Among HBCUs
October Events to Enjoy Across Georgia
Weekend Events in Atlanta: Festivals and Fun Await
Widespread Panic Announces New Year’s Concert Series in Atlanta
Widespread Panic Announces New Year’s Eve Concert Series in Atlanta
Additional Resources
- Jambands: Billy Strings Goes Electric with Widespread Panic
- Wikipedia: Widespread Panic
- Live for Live Music: Widespread Panic New Year’s Concert
- Google Search: Billy Strings concert Atlanta
- JamBase: Widespread Panic & Billy Strings Atlanta
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Guitar
- JamBase: Widespread Panic New Year’s Eve Run
- Google News: Widespread Panic Atlanta concerts
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
