Dead Ahead Offers Chelonian Combo of “Terrapin Station” and “Turtles All The Way Down”

Day two of the Dead Ahead Festival took place yesterday at the Moon Palace Hotel in Cancún, Mexico. The all-star collective that Bobby Weir assembled for the event performed the first of their three headlining shows. This project features Weir, Sturgill Simpson, Rick Mitarotonda, Oteil Burbridge, Don Was, Jeff Chimenti and Jay Lane.

While Weir sang most of the tunes, Dead Ahead also offered some surprises, as both Simpson and Mitarotonda contributed lead vocals to a few of the songs. Following a “Sugar Magnolia” opener, Simpson led the group though a loping “Sugaree.” Then a little while later it was Mitarotonda’s turn, as the Goose frontman stepped up for “Tennessee Jed” with Grace Bowers guesting on guitar. The “Dupree’s Diamond Blues” that followed, marked the first time that Weir had performed the song publicly since 10/1/13, when he did so with Furthur in Las Vegas at the Pearl Concert Theatre, alongside Phil Lesh, John Kadlecik, Joe Russo, Jeff Pehrson, Sunshine Becker and Chimenti.

Set two later opened with Simpson taking on vocal duties for “China Cat Sunflower,” which segued into “I Know You Rider” with Weir back on lead. The two songs that then followed reflected the spirit of the group at this particular event, as Dead Ahead teamed the Grateful Dead’s “Terrapin Station” with Simpson’s “Turtles All The Way Down.” Other highlights included “All Along the Watchtower” with Bowers, a celebratory set-closing “Not Fade Away” and the “Black Muddy River” encore.

Day three of the Dead Ahead Festival will feature music by Simpson, Trampled by Turtles (who will perform Old & in The Way), Joy Oladokun and Tom Hamilton.

Dead Ahead, Dead Ahead Festival, Moon Palace Hotel, Cancún, Mexico, 1/10/25

Set One: Sugar Magnolia, Sugaree*, Deep Elem Blues, Tennessee Jed^%, Dupree’s Diamond Blues, Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance

Set Two: China Cat Sunflower* > I Know You Rider, Terrapin Station, Turtles All The Way Down*, Peggy-O, All Along the Watchtower%, Days Between, Not Fade Away

Enc: Black Muddy River

*with Sturgill Simpson on lead vocals

^with Rick Mitarotonda on lead vocals

%with Grace Bowers on guitar