re: Widespread Panic @ The Wharf 5.22

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"We're still not happy that this has been announced," Silvers said. "The maximizing that it puts on our resources, our police and our fire department on a busy weekend -- Memorial Day weekend, Jim -- we can't have that. We don't promote that style of living and floppiness that's happened, that they will bring. And they will be here, living in vacant garages, living in the streets, showering down at the beach. Jim, we can't have it. We can't put up with it. So please whoever didn't get that message needs to hear from all of us up here."

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The band's first stint at the Amphitheatre was a two-night gig in 2007, which was the 10,200-seat venue's first double sellout. A three-night stint in 2008 turned out to be the busiest for police, with 147 arrests ranging from underage drinking to felony drug possession.

Another three-night stand in 2009 only saw 37 arrests, according to news reports. Widespread Panic's two-night performance in early May 2010 failed to sell out, which was unusual but it was the early and uncertain days of the BP oil spill.

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"I think people know that I'm a very vocal opponent of the music festival in Gulf Shores," Kennon said. "I don't believe for a minute that it's who we are. It's not our brand. It's not what we're trying to sell as a family-friendly destination. That is who we are and the minute we start prostituting that because of money or whatever reason then the next weekend can be prostituted and the next weekend and then it ends up we're Panama City. And that's not who we are if I can help it.

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