Though Widespread Panic will officially celebrate its 25th anniversary this coming weekend, the band actually played its first show on February 6, 1986. To coincide with its anniversary, Widespread Panic has released its 10th anniversary shows via its Porch Songs series. Porch Songs Release 7: Jackson, WY 1996 captures the band’s February 6 and 7, 1996 shows at the Snow King Center in Jackson, WY on the acoustic Sit-n-Ski Tour.

“It’s been a sure thing all along that this Porch Songs series was going to find its way to the Sit-n-Ski tour – and its 15th anniversary coinciding with the band’s 25th seems like a great time to make it happen,” band archivist Horace Moore wrote in the Widespread Panic Archives blog. “The only real question left was….which show(s) For many reasons, Jackson 1996 was a slam dunk decision, but for other reasons it was a much tougher task than one might imagine. The opening night’s first set starts off with the debut of ‘Hope in a Hopeless World’ with just JB and Sunny….followed by the second set opener ‘Raise the Roof’ with just Mikey and Sunny. Woven throughout the night’s performance are great versions of ‘Let’s Get Down to Business,’ ‘Weight of the World,’ and ‘Proving Ground’……all coming from a different angle with mixes of both acoustic and electric instruments, re-worked song introductions or deviations from the normal tempo. And if that’s not enough, they throw down the first ‘Down on the Farm’ in over 1,000 shows and dole out incredible versions of ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy, ‘ ‘B of D’ and ‘Holden Oversoul’ into ‘Bowlegged Woman.’ Ok. Slam Dunk. But wait….we do have a second night to consider. ”

He goes on to explain, “The February 7th show certainly didn’t disappoint after the previous nights craziness. Not to be outdone by his bandmates the night before, JoJo Lennon offers up the only version to date of ‘Yer Blues’ to open the second set…just before the whole band launches into ‘Low Rider.’ The crowd is treated to four instrumentals over the course of the evening with ‘Galleon,’ L.a.,’ ‘Maggot Brain’ and ‘Happy Child.’ Other highlights include the debut of ‘Four Cornered Room’ and also ‘Chilly Water’ and ‘Barstools’…..with both giving brief nods to their respective soulmates with ‘ThankYou Falettin’ Me Be Mice Elf’ and ‘Satisfied. Alright. Slam dunk again.”

Both shows are now available for download in their entirety at www.livewidespreadpanic.com