BY MATTHEW RECCHIA

Rumors follow bands like a dog chases its tail: It can happen anytime, anywhere, and last for days if no one stops it.

Days before their last southeastern concerts till next year, an interview posted online with Sunny Ortiz, the mastermind behind the sounds of chimes, djembes, and cowbells from the left side of the stage, made light of the rumors of a year-long hiatus, making sure fans knew that the band was ready and excited for next year. What would summer be without a Panic Red Rocks run, anyways?

Hotels in the area were crammed with people ready for a party, and it sure smelled like a party too. By Monday morning, trash scattered throughout the hallway and beer cans thrown around the hotel's main lobby and parking lot were sure signs the Panic crowd had been there, and were ready to move on to Colorado for New Years.

Despite cold temperatures and sleet and rain, the party was hot and out of control as thousands of fans flocked into the Asheville Civic Center for one more throw-down before New Years.

11.28.2008 Civic Center, Asheville, NC

1: Little Kin> Stop-Go, Give, Happy> Blue Indian> Time Waits, Coach, It Ain't No Use> Tie Your Shoes> Blight> All Time Low

2: Better Off, Bayou Lena> The Last Straw> L.A.> Impossible> Drums> Goodpeople> Dark Bar Jam> Goodpeople> Use Me> Flicker, Love Tractor

E: Aunt Avis> You Should Be Glad

Friday night in Asheville brought the icy temperatures and a mix of sleet and rain, but nothing was about to stop this crowd from having a good time.

"Little Kin," "Stop-Go," and "Give" opened the first set to some screaming guitar solos, but the surprise of acoustic guitars sitting next to Herring and Bells' amps signified something special. Playing acoustic guitars during a brief stint in the first set, Panic displayed seemless transitions between "Happy," Panic classic "Blue Indian," and "Time Waits" before jumping back into an electric "Coach." The acoustic mini-set brought Bell's guitar higher in the mix, while Herring continued to dissect and re-dress every song with a bit of twang. "Blight" also proved to be a highlight of the first set with vocalized patterns between Bell and Schools and percussive rhythms from Domingo Ortiz before set closer "All Time Low."

The second set started with "Better Off" before transitioning into the first version of "Bayou Lena" featuring Jimmy Herring as the lead guitarist, also the first time the song had made it into the rotation in two hundred and nineteen shows. Continuously segueing between songs throughout the set, a "Goodpeople" and "Dark Bar" sandwich, followed by an explosive remake of Bill Withers's classic R&B single, "Use Me," caused the audience to lose all their bearings and go wild, screaming and cheering for the band to continue. Soon after, the band moved into "Flicker" and ended the set with a stellar version of "Love Tractor."

 The encore, "Aunt Avis" and "You Should Be Glad" was a perfect setup for the next night, with the guitar still ringing in most people's ears as they left the Civic Center and made their way to the after-party down the road at the Orange Peel or back at their hotels.

11.29.2008 Civic Center, Asheville, NC

1: Chilly Water, Chainsaw City> Machine>Barstools and Dreamers, Fishing, Crazy, Don't Be Denied, Counting Train Cars, You Got Yours, Porch Song

2: Old Neighborhood> Worry, Fishwater, Bust It Big> Jack> B of D> Fairies Wear Boots> Drums> Papa Legba> Rock> Surprise Valley

E: Three Candles> Blackout Blues

Upon entry to the Civic Center Saturday night, anyone could tell something special was on the horizon. The energy level was out of control, even guitarist/vocalist John Bell noticed the particularly "chirpy" crowd. Soon after, the band broke out the party-favorite "Chilly Water," igniting water bombs in the crowd from everywhere, followed by a particularly heated "Machine" and "Barstools and Dreamers." "Fishing" and "Crazy," both rare throughout the year, made bust-out appearances, along with "Don't Be Denied," originally penned by the Neil Young, but dedicated by the band to founding member and late guitarist Mikey Houser.

Set two opened with "Old Neighborhood," eventually making its way into "Fishwater," always a crowd pleaser. After segueing song after song until an exhilarating drum performance by Sunny Ortiz and Todd Lance, the boys busted out Talking Head's "Papa Legba," followed by "Rock" and ending the set with a fiery "Surprise Valley." The encore started off a bit slow with "Three Candles," but finished up the two-night run with a rocking "Blackout Blues," after which fans gave the band a lengthy standing ovation, before filing back out into the cold to discuss the craziness that is Widespread Panic.

Until next year, thanks Panic - Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin!