Brittney Spencer Joins Bobby Weir’s Dead Ahead Finale

Bobby Weir delivered his final performance of the second annual Dead Ahead destination event at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancún, Mexico on Monday. Sturgill Simpson and Goose’s Rick Mitarotonda reprised their roles in the band. Singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer was the featured guest and sang on a classic Bobby ballad and more.

The Dead Ahead band also included frequent Weir collaborators bassists Oteil Burbridge and Don Was, drummer Jay Lane and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti.

Weir got his final Dead Ahead 2025 set underway by leading the ensemble through “Help On the Way” followed by its usual cohorts “Slipknot!” and “Franklin’s Tower.” Mitarotonda sang lead on the latter. Rick’s band Goose recently unveiled the Grateful Dead holy triumvirate at their annual Goosemans concerts.

Next, a Bob on Bob tune with Weir handling the excellent and numerous lyrics of Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.” Sturgill then stepped to the mic for a rendition of the country-tinged Dead favorite “Brown-Eyed Women.”

Weir then welcomed Brittney Spencer for a duet on “Looks Like Rain,” a song first appearing on the Grateful Dead guitarist’s 1972 debut solo album, Ace, there a duet with Dead vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux and also performed by GD.

Brittney and Bobby previously teamed on the heartbreakingly gorgeous tune during Wolf Bros concerts in Utah and New York City in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Brittney’s country and R&B sensibilities are a great fit for the song and always a highlight. Watch Weir and Spencer team for “Looks Like Rain” in Mexico below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS66BhQkXYo&ab

After the first frame wrapped with “Althea,” set two commenced with another Ace cut, “Playing in the Band,” which included a typically exploratory jam. Rick then helmed “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo,” another song that exists in the Goose repertoire.

Following a rollicking “Truckin,” came a “Drums & Bass” sequence featuring Lane, Was and Burbridge, the latter reeling off some ridiculous jazz stylings on the six-string. The ballad slot contained the poignant “Standing on the Moon” followed by set-closer “Casey Jones,” which saw the return of Spencer on backing vocals and tambourine.

Bobby and company returned for another ballad, “Brokedown Palace,” which featured Oteil singing high harmonies with Weir. The band sealed the show with the Grateful Dead’s only Top 40 hit, “Touch of Grey,” which saw Spencer singing backing vocals alongside Oteil.

Next up for Bob Weir is a return to the Las Vegas Sphere with Dead & Company in the spring. Find his itinerary and ticket info below:

Additional Videos

Audio (Taped by B.D. Nak700)

Setlist (via B.D. Nak700)

Set One: Help On The Way -> Slipknot! -> Franklin’s Tower, A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall, Brown Eyed Women, Looks Like Rain, Althea

Set Two: Playing In The Band -> Mississippi Half-Step -> Truckin’ -> Drums & Bass -> Standing On The Moon, Casey Jones, E. Brokedown Palace

Encore: Touch Of Grey