Song Review: Widespread Panic - “King Baby” (Live, March 21, 2026)
Though his presence began only in January and is meant to be temporary, Nick Johnson is already sounding as if he’s been with Widespread Panic for a long time and is in it for the long haul.
In fact, anyone who wasn’t aware of the situation would likely have no idea Johnson is simply filling in for Jimmy Herring after watching/listening to a new pro-shot video of the band’s March 21 performance of “King Baby” in Florida. That person would come away having no reason to think this wasn’t simply Panic as Panic.
Planting himself somewhere between the late Michael Houser and the ailing Herring, Johnson gives the band the necessary propulsion to do what it does so well.
That, of course, is making intricately layered, improv-heavy rock music characterized by John Bell’s yearning yowl, Dave Schools’ prominent bass, Sunny Ortiz’s colorful percussion and Jojo Hermann’s barroom piano. As the featured soloist, Johnson brings the perfect balance of old and new, resulting in something that approximates the Widespread of yore, the Panic of the present and a bridge to Herring’s eventual return.
Grade card: Widespread Panic - “King Baby” (Live - 3/21/26) - B
4/17/26
