Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros Welcome Year Of The Snake At New Year’s Eve Gala In Fort Lauderdale

Watch the rousing “Hell In A Bucket” that began the third set and 2025 for the Grateful Dead guitarist and his band.

By Scott Bernstein Jan 2, 2025 7:06 am PST

Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros continued a six-show New Year’s Run in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday with a three-set New Year’s Eve concert at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Weir looked to the Chinese zodiac by celebrating the upcoming Year of the Snake as the night’s theme.

The Grateful Dead guitarist and his band of bassist Don Was, drummer Jay Lane, pianist Jeff Chimenti and pedal steel guitarist Barry Sless were joined by The Wolfpack brass and strings featuring Alex Kelly, violinist Mads Tolling, trombonist Adam Theis, trumpeter Brian Switzer and woodwind specialist Sheldon Brown. An image of a snake was displayed on a screen behind the musicians while other serpents were part of the staging.

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Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros took “Playing In The Band” deep to get the evening started. A pedal steel-tinged “Friend Of The Devil” followed before Weir sang the Willie Nelson-popularized country ballad “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” for just the third time. Bobby then led his troupe through covers of Bob Dylan’s “Queen Jane Approximately,” the traditional “Dark Hollow” and John Phillips’ “Me And My Uncle” before the band closed the set with an expansive “Bird Song.”

The guitarist chose his solo gem “The Winners” to kick off his second set. Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros then launched into the beloved “Dark Star.” The band went atonal at points as they explored spacey soundscapes ahead of a transition into “Eyes Of The World.” Weir then returned to his solo repertoire for “Two Djinn,” while the rest of the frame was devoted to Grateful Dead classics “Standing On The Moon” and “Scarlet Begonias.” The latter bled into “Playing In The Band Reprise.”

Flowers were distributed by friends and family before the band returned to the stage for the third and final set. The group said farewell to 2024 and welcomed 2025 with “Hell In A Bucket” after a countdown. The song features the lyric: “But I know that you’ll think of me only, when the snakes come marching in.” Weir addressed the theme on Instagram writing, “Here’s to kicking off 2025! The Year of the Snake symbolizes transformation, renewal, and spiritual growth.”

The raucous “Hell In A Bucket” was followed by a “Silvio” featuring “Tequila” within. A partial “Terrapin Station” came next consisting of the “At A Siding” and “Terrapin Transit” portions of the song. Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros said farewell with a joyous “Not Fade Away.”

On-demand video replay of the show can be viewed by nugs.net subscribers. Watch fan-captured footage from Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros’ New Year’s Eve concert below:


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Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros (See 173 videos)

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MrGratefulme (See 5 videos)
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros (See 173 videos)
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MrGratefulme (See 5 videos)
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros (See 173 videos)

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someguywholikesmusic (See 2 videos)
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros (See 173 videos)

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someguywholikesmusic (See 2 videos)
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros (See 173 videos)

Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros conclude their extended New Year’s Run with trio shows tonight and tomorrow at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale. Weir then heads to Mexico for Dead Ahead 2025.

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Setlist (via Setlist.FM)

Set One: Playing In The Band, Friend Of The Devil, Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, Queen Jane Approximately, Dark Hollow, Me And My Uncle, Bird Song

Set Two: The Winners, Dark Star > Eyes Of The World, Two Djinn, Standing On The Moon, Scarlet Begonias > Playing In The Band Reprise

Set Three: Hell In A Bucket, Silvio > Tequila > Silvio Reprise > At A Siding > Terrapin Transit, Not Fade Away

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