Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros continued their spring tour last night at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, Wis. The band celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by performing “Whiskey in a Jar” and busted out Bob Dylan’s “Silvio” and The Champs’ “Tequila.”
The concert started with a crowd stirring “Playing in the Band,” followed by an explorative and soulful “Row Jimmy.” The ensemble, which features Barry Sless (pedal steel guitar), Don Was (bass), Jeff Chimenti (keys), Jay Lane (drums), then performed a vibrant take on “Loose Lucy.”
Midway through the first set, the band broke into the traditional tune, “Whiskey in the Jar,” which was last played during a St. Patrick’s day livestream in 2021. The song also appeared on the Grateful Dead’s 1999 So Many Roads compilation album. Additionally, Weir performed the ditty live with Further on at The George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. on March 17, 2022.
Set one continued with the Grateful Dead’s “Candyman” followed by Ratdog’s “She Says.” The first set came to a close with a classic pairing of “Lost Sailor” into “Saint of Circumstance,” leaving the crowd eager for the show's second half.
The second set began with “Only a River,” off Weir’s 2016 LP, Blue Mountain. Next, the group performed an energetic take on “New Speedway Boogie,” which segued into another lively Dead tune, “I Need a Miracle.” “Dark Star” came next, featuring the Wolf Pack's Alex Kelly (cello), Brian Switzer (trumpet), Mads Trolling (violin), Sheldon Brown (woodwind) and Adam Theis (trombone).
Next, Weir and the band covered the Dylan/ Robert Hunter tune “Silvio,” which transitioned into a celebratory “Tequila,” performed for the first time since March 29, 2019. The band returned to some bars of “Silvio” before breaking into the fan-favorite, “Scarlet Begonias.” The segued selection of songs returned to “Dark Star” before the band unleashed a stirring rendition of “Stella Blue.”
The second set concluded with “Playing in the Band.” After a brief break, the ensemble returned to the stage for an encore performance of “U.S. Blues.” Tonight, Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros will head to Chicago for a show at The Chicago Theatre. Tickets are still available and can be purchased here.
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros
Riverside Theater– Milwaukee, Wis.
March 17, 2022
Set I: Playing in the Band, Row Jimmy, Loose Lucy, Whiskey in the Jar, Candyman, She Says, Lost Sailor, Saint of Circumstance
Set II: Only a River, New Speedway Boogie > I Need a Miracle, Dark Star, Silvio > Tequila > Silvio > Scarlet Begonias > Dark Star, Stella Blue, Playing in the Band
Enc.: U.S. Blues
