The band releases the album on May 23 and opens its tour June 23 with a sold-out three-date stand at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado.

Taking its cue from an album-release party that drew more than 100,000 fans to Athens, Georgia in 1998, Widespread Panic decided to apply the celebratory theme to a full tour.

The idea of this time hosting multiple “release parties” for Another Joyous Occasion came from fans who had heard about Widespread Panic’s record release shows and wanted to take part in the experience in their hometowns, according to a band spokesman.

An email survey was sent to more than 15,000 fans to find out where they live, the most Widespread Panic-friendly establishment in their area, what radio station they most listen to and where they purchase Panic CDs.

The band pooled the data and used it to plan the release parties — they don’t call them concerts — for their fans. A questionnaire was also posted on the band’s Web site.

Shows will be partnered with a local club, record shop and radio station in 30 U.S. markets.

The tour will run through mid-August and consist mainly of headline amphitheater shows. It will include multiple dates in markets including Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Birmingham, Ala.

Widespread Panic will also join Bob Dylan and Phil Lesh for a July 15 date at Alpine Valley in Wisconsin, and play as part of New York City’s Central Park Summer Stage series on August 1.