Dead Ahead Takes “The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)” on Final Night of Mexico Event

Photo via Bobby Weir’s Official Facebook

On Monday, Jan. 15, the final musical installment from Dead Ahead, the house band featuring Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart, Jeff Chimenti, Otiel Burbridge, Don Was, and Jay Lane, with Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi and Sturgill Simpson, rolled out at the Moon Palace in Cancún, Mexico. During the two-frame performance, the ensemble dusted off a pair of classic Grateful Dead numbers, including “The Golden Road (to Unlimited Devotion)” and “Attics of My Life.” Also adding to the specialty of the event was an unbilled appearance by Margo Price.

Igniting the night was a Weir-led “Shakedown Street,” which unfolded into “The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion).” The tune was played for the first time since June 27, 2015, by the Grateful Dead guitarist, officially ending a lapse in plays for the 1967-released number. To follow, the band welcomed Simpson during their take on “Mama Tried,” which merged into “Me & My Uncle,” picked up and split by Weir and Rick Mitarotonda. 

After treating the audience to a lively “Bertha,” Price showed up, assisting her hosts on “Me & Bobby McGee,” with Simpson also included. The band landed on “Birdsong” next, with pals Weir and Price taking on the haunting tune, before a collective first set conclusion with a cover of “The Weight.” The group returned to the stage for the secondary frame, bringing along Price for “Scarlet Begonias.” Burbridge took on its sister tune, “Fire on the Mountain,” to wrap the favored pairing. 

Next came “Estimated Prophet,” which ran into an ensuing “Eyes of the World.” A high point occurred next, with Weir, Mitaronda, Price, and Simpson adding lines on “Franklin’s Tower.” After the rhythmic explosion of the second set staple, “Drums” and “Space,” The aforementioned configuration included on “Franklin’s” returned for “The Wheel” before Weir helmed “The Other One” and frame finale, “Morning Dew.”

Everyone showed up on stage for the night’s encore and assisted Weir in dusting off “Attics of My Life” for the first time since July 5, 2015. The reflective number allowed the musicians to look inward as they took turns crooning the American Beauty classic.

Scroll down to view last night’s setlist via Bobby Weir’s official Instagram account.  

Dead Ahead 

Moon Palace – Cancun, Mexico 

Jan. 15, 2024

Set I: Shakedown Street, The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)+, Mama Tried, Me and My Uncle, Loser, Bertha, Me and Bobby McGee, Bird Song, The Weight 

Set II: Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain, Estimated Prophet > Eyes of the World > Franklin’s Tower, Drums > Space > The Wheel > The Other One > Morning Dew

Enc.: Attics of my Life#

Notes: 

+ Bust out last played 6/27/15

# Bust out last played 7/5/15