Screenshot via nugs.net

On Sunday, Oct. 27, Bob Weir made his first public appearance since the Friday, Oct. 25 passing of Grateful Dead bandmate Phil Lesh. The rhythm guitarist participated in the festival’s final day, joining The String Cheese Incident for a two-set performance steeped in Dead classics, cunningly billed as The Bobby Weir Incident. During the show, the amalgamated lineup applied poignant themes that coincided with song selections, from the politically angled “Man Smart, Woman Smarter” to the concert’s emotive encore, Lesh penned “Box of Rain” complemented by images of the pair.

The set’s first selection felt like an ideal entry point and reintroduction, with the onset of “Feel Like a Stanger” initiating a “silky, crazy, crazy night” for the concert participants, who shifted their prowess with an opportune tempo shift into “Jack Straw.” From tales of riding the rails, the group landed on “Crazy Fingers,” a selection that allowed for distinct instrumentation and playfulness akin to the Blues for Allah slant. Moving outside the Dead’s songbook, the lineup landed on a debut: Elton Brit and The Skytoppers recorded Fred Rose-scribed “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and a later feature on Willie Nelson’s concept LP, Red Headed Stranger.

The latter could have received as the group’s initial ode to Lesh, conveyed through the somber lines: “Some day when we meet up yonder/ We’ll stroll, hand in hand again.” The ensemble returned to Dead material with Weir’s Ace ringer, “Cassidy,” ultimately following up with what has become a relevant political anthem, with perhaps more meaning than ever, “Man Smart, Woman Smarter.” 

After closing set one with a roaring “Cold Rain and Snow,” the group of players reconvened on “China Cat Sunflower,” which naturally flowed into its sister tune, “I Know You Rider.” On the opposite end of the well-jammed traditional, the group ascended into what felt like a drummer’s choice on “Brown-Eyed Women.” Next, “Estimated Prophet,” which lit the road into “Eyes of the World.” The second set received its to-be-expected instrumental interlude, “Drums.” The percussive display beckoned the return of Weir and company for “Standing on the Moon,” harnessing its power to the lines: “A lovely view of heaven/ But I’d rather be with you,” which felt like it took on new meaning after Friday’s event. 

“Fire on the Mountain” represented the final song of the second set and doubled as a bust out for SCI, who last performed the Dead classic in concert on Nov. 9, 2001, at Classic Center Hall in Athens, Ga. The concert’s most defining moment had to be the group’s encore of “Box of Rain.” The Lesh-penned tune represented a rare play for Weir outside of Dead-adjacent configurations, confirming the specialty of the song and greater meaning with its arrival. Notably, while the musicians worked through the American Beauty standard, images of Weir and Lesh adorned the venue backdrop, along with the song lyrics. Scroll down to view the photo and video below. 

Following Weir’s festival appearance, he will remain off the road until mid-November, leading to the arrival of symphony concerts. For tickets and more information, bobweir.net.

The Bob Weir Incident 

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park – Live Oak, Fla.

Oct. 27, 2024 

Set I: Feel Like a Stranger, Jack Straw, Crazy Fingers, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Cassidy, Man Smart, Woman Smarter, Cold Rain and Snow

Set II: China Cat Sunflower, I Know You Rider, Brown-Eyed Women, Estimated Prophet > Eyes of the World > Drums, Standing on the Moon, Fire on the Mountain 

Enc.: Box of Rain