Panic Stricken is a nationwide collective of musicians, who "spread the gospel of Widespread Panic,” as their founder and front man, RG, likes to say at the beginning of almost every show. They present fans with a unique listening experience by faithfully reproducing compositions of the essential Widespread Panic catalog with high energy and joy, while letting their talents and intuition guide their improvisational jams in their own direction. Founded in late 2014, with their first performance on March 30, 2015, they have grown from a local and regional tribute to playing performances all over the country. Panic Stricken unexpectedly caught national attention playing an impromptu show at the Empire Control Room and Garage in Austin, Texas on August 14, 2021. Widespread Panic was in town, as well thousands of fans from all over the country, but right before Widespread Panic was scheduled to play, their frontman, John Bell, came down with COVID-19 and Widespread Panic had to cancel the run. With thousands of fans in Austin for the weekend to see their favorite band that was no longer going to play, Panic Stricken got the call to play a sold out show that ended up saving the day for 1000 delighted Widespread Panic fans. Since that time, the membership of Panic Stricken has expanded beyond Austin, and now has contributing musicians hailing from all over the Southeast, who share the vision of honoring the unique and incredible music of Widespread Panic. Panic Stricken will be expanding their touring schedule in the coming months and years and will listen to all calls from fans and musicians who want shows and want to contribute to the vision to keep the musical tradition of Widespread Panic alive and growing for years to come.
