Train Days: Widespread Panic’s 1999 Europe Tour
In August of 1999, Widespread Panic embarked on one of the most ambitious and unique chapters of their touring career. Over the course of 18 days, the band performed 14 shows across Europe, bringing their Southern-rooted improvisational rock to new audiences throughout the continent.
The tour marked a rare international expansion for a band known more for marathon runs in the United States than for overseas performances. For many American fans, it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. For European crowds, it was an introduction to a band already in its prime.
Tour Overview
Between August 10 and August 27, 1999, Widespread Panic performed 14 shows across Europe. The list of cities is below, with PanicStream links included:
August 10 - Paradiso, Amsterdam, NL
August 11 - Grünspan, Hamburg, GM
August 12 -Club Bad, Hannover, GM
August 13 - Knaack Club, Berlin, GM
August 15 -Prime Club, Köln, GM
August 16 - Hechelei, Bielefeld, GM
August 17 - Hirsch, Nuremberg, GM
August 18 - Muffathalle, München, GM
August 20 - Albani Music Club, Winterthur, CH
August 21 - Nandrin Festival, Nandrin, BE
August 23 - New Morning, Paris, FR
August 25 - King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow, ST
August 26 - Hop & Grape, University of Man, Manchester, UK
August 27 - Embassy Room, London, UK
The performances spanned six countries: the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom.
Train Days the Documentary
Train Days is a three-part fan-made documentary created by Adam Johnson. While it primarily follows American fans during the U.S. summer tour, it captures the broader spirit of 1999. European fans also appear, offering a glimpse into how Panic’s sound was received by new audiences across the continent.
Watch the full documentary here:
Widespread Panic has not returned to Europe since 1999. Thanks to Train Days, fragments of that summer remain preserved. Will we ever see more Panic shows in Europe? Probably not—but it wouldn’t be fair to rule it out entirely.