Widespread Panic Open Panic en la Playa with Nick Johnson

On Tuesday evening, Widespread Panic took the stage at the Hard Rock Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico, for the first in a series of four concerts scheduled during their destination event. Their Jan. 20 performance was the group’s first full gig with guitarist Nick Johnson, who is currently filling in for the venerable Jimmy Herring, as the longtime member “undergoes another round of treatment to reinforce the healing process after being diagnosed with throat cancer,” according to the band’s Jan. 8 update.

Tuesday’s performance found Johnson on full display, offering his best alongside John Bell, Dave Schools, JoJo Hermann, Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, and Duane Trucks. His Southern-inspired guitar licks were delivered with intensity and determination. “Disco” served as the concert’s leading number and found Johnson administering its expected solo before going into “Little Lily” > “Rock.” 

Next, they positioned “One Arm Side” ahead of “Christmas Katie,” which, upon completion, merged into “Trashy.” Johnson’s touch on “Holden Oversoul” recalled bygone days of the band’s history before a full siege of Warren Zevon’s “Lawyers, Guns and Money” brought set one to a close. Back on stage after the break, the ensemble fastened “Rebirtha” to “Sleeping Man.” “Down” was propelled by Bell before “Hatfield” acted as an introduction to “Drums.” 

The band proceeded into a lively segment, delivering a blissful nonstop run through of “Arleen” into “Driving Song” and “Tall Boy.” Rather than end the sequence, they reprised “Driving Song,” ultimately bringing the series to a close after set finisher “North.” During their encore, Widespread Panic delivered Howlin’ Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightning,” followed by their own, “Porch Song.” 

Panic en la Playa continues today with an afternoon set from Eggy, ahead of Widespread Panic’s return to the festival stage. After the midnight hour, bassist Karina Rykman is scheduled to perform on the Stairway to Heaven stage. 

Scroll down to watch a video from last night’s encore, and view the Tuesday night setlist.

Widespread Panic 

Hard Rock Hotel – Riviera Maya, Mexico 

Jan. 20, 2026

Set I: Disco > Little Lilly > Rock, One Arm Steve, Christmas Katie > Trashy, Holden Oversoul, Lawyers Guns and Money (63 mins)

Set II: Rebirtha > Sleeping Man, Down, Hatfield > Drums > Arleen > Driving Song > Tall Boy > Driving Song, North (94 mins)

Enc.: Smokestack Lightning, Porch Song (14 mins)