Widespread Panic in Asheville: Sold-out shows lead to $8M economic boost in WNC
ASHEVILLE - Selling out three nights at Harrah's Cherokee Center, the Southern jam rock band Widespread Panic helped Asheville find its groove the weekend of July 25, reportedly bringing in nearly $8 million to the city's economy, according to the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.
In a concert series from July 24-27, the band from Athens, Georgia, helped raise $32,944 for local nonprofits and drew over 19,000 attendees to downtown Asheville, the tourism authority said in a July 29 news release. It was the band's first visit to the city since 2021, when they were booked for the Harrah's Cherokee Center's first performance since closure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 80% of visitors were not from Asheville, said Vic Isley, president & CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. Most were from Charlotte, Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham, New York and Los Angeles, according to the tourism authority.
"This is just one more demonstration of the significance of large entertainment and arts facilities to our quality of life and economic well-being," Isley said in the news release.
The three-day stint was another example of the reverberating impact some musicians have had as they've made their way to Asheville after Tropical Storm Helene devastated Western North Carolina over 10 months ago.
The storm caused nearly $60 billion in damages and set the region's economy significantly behind. In February, bluegrass jam rocker Billy Strings sold out six shows over two weekends, leading to a $15.7 million local economic impact as visitors made their way to downtown shops, restaurants and hotels.
If metrics are an indication, Widespread Panic has been a long-time favorite at the downtown Harrah's Cherokee Center. In 2015, a Citizen Times analysis indicated the band was one of several jam bands that led to significant local spending at Harrah's, with the entertainment center's general manager pointing to the band's lengthy shows and dedicated fanbase as the reason for high spending.
“Widespread Panic and the Home Team crowd have always been, and continue to be, one of our favorite events to host. We hope the band makes plans to return someday in the future,” Harrah’s Cherokee Center General Manager Chris Corl said in the news release.
“Following the closure of our venue last year from September 27 to early December, we are looking forward to a full year of concerts, sports, and events at our venue this year.”
Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com or message will_hofmann.01 on Signal.