"The bottom line of the whole scene is simply stated: there is nothing in the world like a Grateful Dead concert–period. Never will be." This quotation from Jon Williams is even more true today than when he said it in 1974 in the Grateful Dead Movie. The uniqueness of a Dead show–or any Dead-related project–is steeped in a complex medley of American-born music, drawing from rock n' roll, jazz, bluegrass, gospel, fusion, and country and blended with a heavy dose of 1960s psychedelic energy. The band's catalog also contains hundreds of original songs and covers from which they build unique setlists each night. This impressive blend of musical showmanship is further embellished with deep exploratory improvisations, ensuring that every single Grateful Dead show is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for each audience and band member.

The fans of the Grateful Dead, also known as Deadheads, are also a significant part of what makes a Grateful Dead concert so special. This tight-knit community is a family of music lovers that has developed over the nearly 60-year history of the band. Their fanhood, often bordering on rabid fanaticism, is on full display at every show as they follow the Dead across the country, speaking to each other about Dead culture in an almost-secret language trying to figure out what songs could be played at the next show.

This year was no exception, as Bobby Weir, founding member and rhythm guitarist of the Dead, took the stage with his Wolf Bros and the Wolf Pack to close out the summer concert season with a sold-out show at Baltimore's Pier Six Pavilion on September 28, 2023. Bob Weir's guitar work is just as unique and rare as the band's music. While most rhythm guitarists occupy a quiet niche in bands, playing simple chord progressions to guide the singers and lead guitarist through the music, Bob has created his own playing style that few can emulate. His distinctive strumming is reminiscent of the left hand of an expert jazz pianist banging out chords during an intense saxophone solo instead of a rock n' roll band playing in an arena. Bob's particular style serves as the dynamic canvas on which the Grateful Dead's improvisational music is painted and functions as the perfect counterpoint for incredible solos by all of his band members. Composed of Don Was on upright bass, Jay Lane on drums, and Jeff Chimenti on keys, as well as a string and brass quintet known as the Wolf Pack, featuring Alex Kelly (cello), Brian Switzer (trumpet), Adam Theis (trombone), Mads Tolling (violin), and Sheldon Brown (tenor and alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute and bass flute), along with Barry Sless on pedal steel, Bobby's Wolf Bros and the Wolf Pack provide a rich sonic landscape to explore the Dead's extensive catalog.

Walking up to the venue through Shakedown Street–Deadhead's slang for the tailgate party in the parking lot before shows and a reference to one of the band’s most famous songs–it was clear it would be a memorable evening for those in attendance. The parking lot vibrated with fans' energy as they danced around in tie-dye, and vendors sold their homemade posters, stickers, and glass art. As the band started playing the first notes of "The Music Never Stopped," clumps of Deadheads gathered on the lawn and in the aisles began dancing–twirling and spinning in a distinctive hippie waltz that would not end until the final notes rang out. The opening song seamlessly segued into "Easy Answers" and back into "The Music Never Stopped." The first set continued with a cover of Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row" and "Me & My Uncle" that featured extensive soloing from Sless on pedal steel guitar that turned the tune into a country ballad, demonstrating the band's ability to seamlessly infuse country western and big band sounds into the Dead's music. 

Next, the band launched into a somber and slow version of "Even So," a staple of Bob Weir's solo shows. Alluding to the song's reference to "the wolfman at the door" and the band's name, Weir let out several long howls as the full moon hid behind the clouds hanging over Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Seamlessly transitioning again, the band continued with another Weir original, "October Queen" without taking a break. Bobby & Wolf Bros closed out the first set with the upbeat shuffle "Deal," which featured an exquisitely phrased pedal steel guitar solo. 

During the break, concertgoers were treated to a fireworks show launched from Camden Yards, celebrating the Baltimore Orioles winning the American League East Championship–a monumental moment for Orioles fans. This brief but incredible display drew cheers from the crowd for several minutes as they celebrated one of their favorite artists and the success of the local MLB team.

Bobby & Wolf Bros opened the second set with a vivacious violin solo during "The Winners," and the second set continued with a series of classic Grateful Dead songs, beginning with "Estimated Prophet," which featured incredible horn solos from the Wolf Pack, and then they transitioned into "New Speedway Boogie" and then to the classic segue of "China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider." The string and brass quintet provided potent punches of jazzy big band energy–expanding the potential for exploration in the Dead's music. The band continued with an incredible version of "The Wheel," which one fan claimed felt like a summer vacation with its reggae-inspired jam led by Jeff Chimenti's keyboard solo and the string and brass quintet's melodic riffs.

In contrast to the upbeat feel of the previous songs, Bobby mellowed the crowd with a poignant version of "Standing on the Moon," an incredible ballad written by the Dead's late Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter. Then, the band closed out the concert with the entire "Terrapin Station Suite," a rare treat for Dead fans, as the band typically only played the first portion of the Suite. The string and brass quintet added a vibrant texture to the song's highly composed sections, intensifying the peak of one of the Dead's most epic songs, and Alex Kelly and Mads Tolling battled with dueling cello and violin solos.

As the final notes of the "Terrapin Station Suite" resonated through the air and the crowd erupted in applause, it became abundantly clear that this Wolf Bros concert was another chapter in the book detailing the enduring magic of the Grateful Dead's music and its ability to unite generations of fans. The rich tapestry of sounds, the seamless transitions between songs, the exceptional musicianship of Bobby & Wolf Bros, and the added brilliance of the Wolf Pack all combined to create a night that will forever be in the memories of those in attendance.