Bob Weir Joins Goose For Extensive Sit-In At Playing In The Sand

By Andy Kahn Jan 16, 2023 • 7:24 am PST

Bob Weir joined Goose for a lengthy sit-in Sunday night at Dead & Company‘s Playing In The Sand event in Riviera Cancún, Mexico. Weir began the collaboration by dueting with Goose guitarist Rick Mitarotonda and then was joined by the full band for The Beatles and Otis Redding covers.

Weir’s sit-in comes after Mitarontonda made his debut with Weir’s Grateful Dead bandmate Phil Lesh‘s band Phil Lesh & Friends in October of last year, followed by two more performances on December 27 and 28, 2022. Weir and Mitarontonda not only shared the stage together, but they also spent time together at the Moon Palace’s gym working out (or “gymming” as Bobby calls it).

Weir came out with Goose near the end of their first set. Prior to Weir’s emergence, guitarist/keyboardist Peter Anspach noted the importance of the collaboration.

“Thanks, everybody, we’re going to bring up a very, very special guest to the stage,” Anspach said. “One of the reasons why we’re all here. Everybody give it up for Bob Weir.”

Anspach, bassist Trevor Weekz, drummer Ben Atkind and percussionist Jeff Arevalo left the stage as Weir and Mitarontonda prepped their acoustic guitars. The pair of guitarists then traded off singing the verses to “Peggy-O.” The other members of Goose came back as Weir and Mitarontonda switched to electric guitars for a cover of The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows.”

Weir’s collaboration with Goose concluded with Otis Redding’s “Hard To Handle.” Goose had last covered the song on July 14, 2017, going 414 shows between performances. The Grateful Dead covered all three songs Weir played with Goose, though Weir did not sing lead when the Dead played them.

Leading up to Weir’s appearance, Goose opened the first set by pairing “Hungersite” with “A Western Sun.” They followed with a succession of originals premiered over the past two years, “California Magic,” “Rockdale,” “Silver Rising” and “Pancakes.”

After set break, Goose started their second set with “Animal.” Next was a cover of The Band’s arrangement of “Don’t Do It.” Continuing to focus on newer material, the set progressed with “Thatch” ahead of the location appropriate “This Old Sea,” which featured elements of “Hollywood Nights.” A segue into the instrumental “Moby” set up the set-closing “Hot Tea.” The complex rarity “Elmeg The Wise” punctuated the performance after being selected for the encore.

Playing In The Sand continues tonight with Dead & Company headling. Livestreams are available via nugs.net.

Setlist (via El Göose.net)

Set One: Hungersite > A Western Sun, California Magic, Rockdale, Silver Rising, Pancakes, Peggy-O[1], Tomorrow Never Knows[2], Hard To Handle[3]

Set Two: Animal, Don’t Do It[4], Thatch, This Old Sea[5] > Moby, Hot Tea

Encore: Elmeg The Wise

Coach’s Notes:

• [1] Grateful Dead. Bob Weir and Rick acoustic duet.
• [2] The Beatles. With Bob Weir on guitar and vocals.
• [3] Otis Redding. With Bob Weir on guitar and vocals.
• [4] The Band.
• [5] With Hollywood Nights jam.

Coach’s Corner: Goose headlined one night of Dead and Company’s 2023 Playing in the Sand destination event. Hard to Handle was played for the first time since July 14, 2017 (414 shows).