Continuing a Bill Graham tradition, basketball legend, longtime Deadhead and the evening’s “chief howler” Bill Walton introduced Bob Weir & Wolf Bros’ Dec. 31 gig dressed as Father Time, telling the virtually-assembled crowd at FANS.live, “We’re here, where we’re supposed to be in Marin County, at TRI Studios for one of the traditional legacy events of our community, New Year’s Eve. And tonight, Dec. 31, 2020 Bob Weir & Wolf Bros are set to dazzle us only the way they can, just the way we like it.”

Before the three-hour, pre-recorded show, Weir also assured fans with a statement regarding the event’s COVID-19 protocol, writing, “We were very careful and still managed to have fun recording this for you. Please follow the CDC guidelines, be safe and enjoy the broadcast. Hope to see you on the road next summer or fall. Happy new year.”

“New Speedway Boogie” was the evening’s chosen opener, as Weir enjoyed most of the show flanked by his Wolf Bros (bassist Don Was and drummer Jay Lane) as well as additional players Jeff Chimenti on keys and Greg Leisz on pedal steel.

Before moving on, the band was sure to pass along “New Speedway Boogie”‘s 2020-appropriate message, accentuating an acapella “One way or another, this darkness has got to give.” Weir also confirmed the sentiment after the tune, with a title-card reading, “You bet.”

“Jack Straw,” “When I Paint My Masterpiece” and “Loser” all provided moments of celebration and reflection, as did “Big River” and “Row Jimmy,” but the first half really picked up steam with the jammed-through set-closer of “The Music Never Stopped”> “Easy Answers”> “The Music Never Stopped.”

Later, Weir and company introduced the country classic “Mule Skinner Blues” into their repertoire, complete with a sit-in by Ramblin’ Jack Elliott.

Weir and Ramblin’ Jack

Set two also saw Weir welcome back Walton (aka Father Time) for the New Year’s countdown, which led into a four-song sit-in by a string and brass section dubbed The Wolf Pack (Alex Kelly, Brian Switzer, Adam Theis, Mads Tolling, and Sheldon Brown).

“What a band! What a scene! What a culture! What a night! What a place!” Walton exclaimed, before ringing in 2021.

The Wolf Pack added extra depth to a slew of Grateful Dead classics, including a particularly jazzy “Dark Star,” “Cassidy,” “The Days Between” and “Sugar Magnolia,” but Weir was sure to close the proceedings with a double shot of “Ripple” and “Touch of Grey,” reminding fans, “We will get by. We will survive.”

Check out the full setlist below: