Asheville, NC, July 29, 2025
News Summary
Widespread Panic paid tribute to rock legend Ozzy Osbourne during a three-night concert series in Asheville, featuring a mix of the band’s songs and Black Sabbath covers. The emotional performances included crowd favorites and marked a significant moment for fans and musicians alike, culminating in a special rendition of ‘War Pigs’. The concert series celebrated Osbourne’s legacy, showcasing the band’s musical diversity and guest appearances from industry veterans.
Asheville, North Carolina – Widespread Panic delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late rock legend Ozzy Osbourne during their three-night concert series at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena from July 24 to July 26, 2025. Each performance featured an array of Black Sabbath covers, repeatedly honoring Osbourne, who passed away just days prior on July 22. The emotional concerts culminated in a special rendition of “War Pigs”, marking its first-time performance by the band.
The concert series opened on July 24 with the Black Sabbath classic “Fairies Wear Boots”, further cementing the band’s commitment to celebrating Osbourne’s legacy. In an exceptional move, the second night included “Iron Man,” signaling a long-awaited revisit to the track after a 39-show hiatus. Each evening of the performance combined Widespread Panic’s original songs with Black Sabbath covers and crowd favorites.
Throughout the shows, attendees also enjoyed powerful renditions of Widespread Panic’s original hits, including “We Walk Each Other Home,” “Ain’t Life Grand,” “Rumble,” “Henry Parsons Died,” and “Tall Boy”. Guest appearances by longtime producer John Keane and tour manager Steve Lopez added to the atmosphere. Keane participated by playing acoustic guitar on select numbers and contributing to the pedal steel performances.
The diversity of setlists was enriched with special covers such as Jerry Garcia’s “Cream Puff War,” Vic Chesnutt’s “Blight,” and Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” providing a range of emotions that resonated deeply with fans. The series concluded with a powerful audience participation during “War Pigs,” highlighting the collective mourning and celebration of Ozzy Osbourne’s influence on rock music.
Post-concert, Widespread Panic has announced a brief hiatus before the continuation of their tour in Indianapolis on August 8 and 9, 2025, allowing the band to recharge before moving forward.
Event Overview
- Location: ExploreAsheville.com Arena, Asheville, NC
- Concert Dates: July 24 – July 26, 2025
- Tribute Honoree: Ozzy Osbourne
- Key Covers: “War Pigs,” “Fairies Wear Boots,” “Iron Man,” and more
- Guest Players: John Keane, Steve Lopez
- Next Tour Dates: Indianapolis, August 8 and 9, 2025
Background Context
The decision to perform Black Sabbath covers at the concerts was a direct acknowledgment of Ozzy Osbourne’s profound impact on the rock genre and the band itself. Osbourne, the frontman of Black Sabbath, is widely credited with shaping heavy metal music and inspiring countless musicians. Widespread Panic’s tribute reflects a community bond among music lovers and artists that extends beyond individual performances.
FAQs
- What was the purpose of Widespread Panic’s concert series in Asheville?
The concerts were held to honor Ozzy Osbourne, featuring Black Sabbath covers amidst the band’s original tracks.
- When did the concert series take place?
The series took place from July 24 to July 26, 2025.
- What notable songs were covered during the concerts?
Key covers included “War Pigs,” “Fairies Wear Boots,” and “Iron Man.”
- Who were the special guests during the performances?
Longtime producer John Keane and tour manager Steve Lopez joined the band on stage.
- When is Widespread Panic’s next tour?
The band will resume their tour in Indianapolis on August 8 and 9, 2025.
Key Features Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Concert Location | ExploreAsheville.com Arena, Asheville, NC |
| Concert Dates | July 24 – July 26, 2025 |
| Tribute Honoree | Ozzy Osbourne |
| Special Covers | “War Pigs,” “Fairies Wear Boots,” “Iron Man” |
| Guest Appearances | John Keane, Steve Lopez |
| Next Tour Dates | Indianapolis, August 8 and 9, 2025 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Live For Live Music
- Jambands
- JamBase
- Cloudinary
- JamBase
- Wikipedia: Ozzy Osbourne
- Google Search: Widespread Panic
- Google Scholar: Widespread Panic
- Google News: Widespread Panic
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
