Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros on Friday served as the Beach Stage headliners at the opening night of Dead Ahead in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Following an Orebolo set featuring sit-ins by both Weir and Sturgill Simpson, the crowd settled in on the sand for a two-set headlining performance featuring regular wind/strings auxiliary outfit The Wolfpack in addition to guest appearances by Simpson, Rick Mitarotonda (Goose, Orebolo), Derek Trucks (Tedeschi Trucks Band), and Susan Tedeschi (Tedeschi Trucks Band).
Related: Sturgill Simpson Joins Goose Offshoot Orebolo For “Breakers Roar” At Dead Ahead [Watch]
The show began with Weir standing by his lonesome on the towering stage for a run through Little Feat‘s “Easy to Slip”. The Grateful Dead veteran’s backing cast grew gradually as he made his way through Bob Dylan‘s “When I Paint My Masterpiece” (with bassist Don Was and drummer Jay Lane) and Dead classic “Brown Eyed Women” (with Jeff Chimenti joining in on keys). The four-piece grew to five as Sturgill Simpson took the stage to share the spotlight with Bob on Johnny Cash favorite “Big River”.
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros w/ Sturgill Simpson – “Big River” (Johnny Cash) – 1/12/24
[Video: GRUNZY CHANNEL]
When Simpson took his leave, The Wolfpack fell in behind Weir for “Greatest Story Ever Told” and a sprawling, ten-piece take on the Dead’s Wake of the Flood opus “Weather Report Suite”/”Let It Grow” to wrap set one.
With the full Pack now in place, set two built on the momentum of the first frame with RatDog‘s “Two Djinn” and a rendition of “New Speedway Boogie” featuring Rick Mitarotonda on guitar and vocals. Derek Trucks swapped in for Rick next to add his unique slide guitar sound to “Playing In The Band” and “He’s Gone”. Trucks quietly exited as “He’s Gone” slipped into the beginning of what would become a complete reading of the “Terrapin Station” suite, rendered in vivid detail by this ever-evolving ensemble.
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros w/ The Wolfpack – “Terrapin Station” Suite – 1/12/24
[Video: GRUNZY CHANNEL]
After filling the beach air with two more beloved Grateful Dead staples, “Stella Blue” and “Sugar Magnolia”, Weir and company returned for a “Ripple” encore to cap the performance. Scroll down to view the full setlist and a selection of photos from the show.
The first day of Dead Ahead, which effectively replaced Dead & Company‘s annual Playing In The Sand event (everyone except John Mayer from the Grateful Dead spinoff act’s Final Tour roster is on the lineup), also included an Orebolo performance featuring sit-ins by Simpson and Weir, a Mickey Hart-led late-night jam featuring Trucks, and more. Keep an eye on Live For Live Music for more Dead Ahead coverage throughout the weekend.
Listen to a full audio recording of the Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros set at Dead Ahead on 1/21/24 via nugs.net.
Setlist: Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros | Dead Ahead Festival | Moon Palace | Riviera Maya, MX | 1/12/24
Set One: Easy to Slip (Little Feat) [1], When I Paint My Masterpiece (Bob Dylan), Brown-Eyed Women, Big River (Johnny Cash) [2], Greatest Story Ever Told, Weather Report Suite > Let It Grow
Set Two: Two Djinn, New Speedway Boogie [3], Playing In The Band [4], He’s Gone [4], Terrapin Station Suite, Stella Blue, Sugar Magnolia
Encore: Ripple
[1] Bob Weir solo
[2] with Sturgill Simpson
[3] with Rick Mitarotonda
[4] with Derek Trucks
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