All the Widespread paraphernalia started to literally make me panic. Logan’s apartment had framed Panic artwork on the walls, Driggstock dishware, a ridiculous amount of clothing and hats that he and his fellow Spreadheads had designed specifically for various concerts over the past decade, and an entire drawer of Widespread-themed koozies. I remember making a comment about a Rihanna song, and his response was, “Rihanna? Didn’t she die in a plane crash?” Enough said.ĭespite briefly observing Logan in his Widespread habitat that first summer, I don’t think the extent of his obsession truly sank in until I moved back from Paris and we became roommates. He seemed disoriented and confused by the sounds coming out of the car speakers, and he obviously had no idea who any of the artists were. Listening to the radio in the car was a novelty for Logan, who had been jamming to Widespread with near exclusivity since high school, and it was as if I was introducing him to pop music for the very first time. At the time, I thought it was cute.Īfter Driggstock, Logan and I went on our inaugural camping adventure, which provided me with even deeper insight into his Widespread-loving psyche. I’d never seen him that happy, not even while eating barbecue. He and his friends referred to this affliction as “pre-show jitters,” derived from the sheer level of excitement they feel about “watching the boys jam.” I found this strange, yet mildly endearing, and attending my first shows with Logan was actually quite entertaining. I didn’t know why he was so interested (he was very cagey about his obsession in those early days), but I didn’t give it too much thought.Īfter attending the first Driggstock in 2011, I started to realize that Logan was more than merely a “fan of Widespread.” Each day he would experience a moderate to severe level of anxiety, usually accompanied by a stomachache. This was true in that I enjoy drinking in fields, which is pretty much what people do at outdoor Widespread concerts.
He became very excited, demanding to know the location of these concerts and how I felt about the band. While I did not know the significance of the question at the time, I told him that I had, in fact, heard of them, and that I’d even been to a few of their concerts. Early in our courtship, Logan asked me if I had ever heard of Widespread Panic. In order to give you a deeper understanding of how this weekend will play out, I feel the need to expound upon Logan’s Widespread fanaticism. Twenty-five of Logan’s closest friends, most of whom are also die-hard Spreadheads, have come from near and far to spend the weekend noodling, fist-pumping, and occasionally crying from the thrill of seeing their very favorite band perform at the base of the Tetons. Driggstock is a celebration of the three nights of concerts that Widespread will be playing this weekend just down the road in Targhee, Wyoming. These “Spreadheads” follow Widespread obsessively, and unfortunately, Logan is one of them. In brief, they are a jam band from Georgia that has been touring pretty regularly since the late eighties, much to the delight of their legions of loyal, adoring fans. If you have not heard of Widespread Panic, I envy you. That “thing” is a little band called Widespread Panic.
However, while I am very happy to be in this beautiful place with Logan’s family and friends, there is one thing standing between me and the perfect Independence Day weekend. Their camp is the epitome of rustic charm, and being so close to Teton National Park, there is easy access to pretty much every outdoor activity that you could imagine.Based on this description of Driggs, you’d think I’d be thrilled to spend the Fourth of July here. Last year we went to Maine, so this year we are reprising Logan’s recently created tradition known as “Driggstock.” This event takes place in Driggs, Idaho, a tiny town on the Idaho-Wyoming border where Logan’s parents live during the summer. Growing up, I celebrated the Fourth of July in Maine, but for the past few summers, Logan and I have been rotating Independence Day locations.
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