Bobby Weir and Wolf Bros Trio Unlock Past Plays on Night One at The Parker

Photo: Marc Millman

After marking the New Year under the slithering Chinese zodiac and casting hope with premonitions of “transformation, renewal, and spiritual growth,” Bobby Weir reemerged at The Park in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the first of two concerts billed as Bobby Weir with Wolf Bros Trio, featuring longtime musical accomplices, Don Was and Jay Lane.

During the two-set performance, Weir led the group through bustouts that oscillated on choice songs from the bandleader’s Ratdog days and his latest solo set, 2016’s Blue Mountain, but not before kicking it off with a traditional, the well-loved “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad,” a beloved feature of the Grateful Dead’s live repertoire. Next, the foursome striped back Willie Dixon’s “Little Red Rooster” with Weir’s howl of “Too lazy to crow for days” staining the arrangement. 

“Odessa” ensued, a song synonymous with Ratdog’s 2000-released Evening Moods and the evening’s initial bust out–last played at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y., on Dec. 15, 2023. Next, the band arrived in the Delta, evoking the character of “Catfish John” prior to Ace-featured “Mexicali Blues.” Unhurried, the band displayed “Loose Lucy” before a rarity, which took shape as The Beatles’ “Blackbird” performed only on occasion by the San Francisco stalwart, and Chuck Berry’s “Around and Around” became the set one send-off. 

Back on stage and ready for the concert’s second half, the ensemble started with Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee” before notes of “Gonesville” pronounced the emergence of Weir’s Blue Mountain inclusion. Notably, the song had not been played in front of a live audience since March 8, 2020. 

In time, Weir and company paired “China Cat Sunflower” with its sister song, “I Know You Rider,” to the crowd’s elation, which reveled in the arrival of the Grateful Dead-linked favorites. After a subtle “Dear Prudence” enchanted, it was time to return to the Ratdog ether on the first “Ashes and Glass” since 2023. 

The finale of set two found footing with a spectacular rendition of “Morning Dew” ahead of a single song encore, “Touch of Grey.” After two nights of concerts with his expanded lineup of string and horn plays on Dec. 30 and 31, 2024, at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and last night’s follow-up, Weir will offer one fine concert in tandem with the New Year holiday, returning to The Parker tonight, January 3, 2025. Tickets remain on sale. 

For those unable to attend tonight’s concert, nugs.net will livestream the concert live. Learn more and purchase here.

Bobby Weir Trio

The Parker – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Jan. 2, 2025 

Set I: Going Down the Road Feeling Bad, Little Red Rooster, Odessa, Catfish John, Mexicali Blues, Loose Lucy, Blackbird, Around and Around 

Set II: Me and Bobby McGee, Gonesville, Chinacat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Dear Prudence, Ashes and Glass, Morning Dew

Enc.: Touch of Grey