Widespread Panic opened a three-show Halloween run at New Orleans’ Lakefront Arena last night. The band played New Orleans each Halloween weekend from 1997-2002. After playing a few other cities on Halloween weekend, the band revived its Big Easy tradition in 2008.

Last night, Dumpstaphunk opened the show and that group’s band leader, Ivan Neville, emerged during Panic’s first set for War’s “Slipping Into Darkness.” Neville later returned for “Red Beans.” Panic will return to the Lakefront Arena tonight. The ensemble will likely introduce some new covers during its Halloween run.