Bob Weir & Wolf Bros Bust Out ‘Silvio’ & ‘Tequila’ Medley In Milwaukee

continued their spring tour in Milwaukee last night with a St. Patrick’s Day show featuring a handful of rarities. The concert at the Riverside Theater included the group’s second take on the Bob Dylan/Robert Hunter co-write “Silvio” incorporating “Tequila,” a medley debuted and only played previously by Wolf Bros on March 29, 2019.

Guitarist Bob Weir, bassist Don Was, drummer Jay Lane, pedal steel guitarist Barry Sless and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti opened with the beloved “Playing In The Band.” Bob Weir And Wolf Bros were accompanied on “Playing In The Band” and at various other points of the night by The Wolf Pack, a horn and string section featuring cellist Alex Kelly, violinist Mads Tolling, trombonist Adam Theis, trumpeter Brian Switzer and woodwind specialist Sheldon Brown.

“Playing In The Band” gave way to “Row Jimmy” before Bobby led the troupe on another Grateful Dead classic, “Loose Lucy.” Next up was the traditional Irish song “Whiskey In The Jar,” which the group last played during their 2021 St. Patrick’s Day livestream concert originating from TRI Studios. “If y’all only show up one night a year, this is what you get,” Bobby exclaimed before “Whiskey In The Jar.” Weir And Wolf Bros then performed the Hunter/Garcia gem “Candyman.” The Wolf Pack vacated the stage after “Playing” but returned for the tour’s first “She Says,” an original from Weir’s RatDog days. A set-closing “Lost Sailor”/”Saint Of Circumstance” suite also featured the full ensemble.

Weir, Was, Chimenti, Sless and Lane kicked off last night’s second set with the tour debut of Blue Mountain standout “Only A River.” The Wolf Pack reemerged for “New Speedway Boogie” before leaving the quintet to run through “I Need A Miracle.” Bob Weir And Wolf Bros were then joined once again by the horns and strings for a wild “Dark Star” sequence featuring the “Silvio/Tequila” medley and “Scarlet Begonias” within. Bob Dylan originally released his “Silvio” collaboration with GD lyricist Robert Hunter on the 1988 studio album Down In The Groove, while the mostly instrumental “Tequila” scored a hit for The Champs in 1958.

Bobby belted out “Stella Blue” after concluding “Dark Star” and went on to cap the frame with “Playing In The Band Reprise.” The full lineup punctuated the evening with a “U.S. Blues” encore. The tour resumes tonight in Chicago.

Watch fan-shot video featuring last night’s “Whiskey In The Jar” and “Silvio/Tequila” medley:

Setlist (via Bob Weir Instagram)

Set One: Playing In The Band > Row Jimmy, Loose Lucy, Whiskey In The Jar, Candyman, She Says, Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance

Set Two: Only A River, New Speedway Boogie > I Need A Miracle > Dark Star > Silvio/Tequila > Scarlet Begonias > Dark Star, Stella Blue, Playing In The Band Reprise

Encore: U.S. Blues