Dead and Company came out blazing in Riviera Maya at Playing in the Sand for what appears to be another banner year for the band. The first two shows at Barceló Maya were stellar and the third show was fantastic as well.

Half the band may be in their 70s, but you would never know from listening to the recording. The tempo may be slow for some Dead heads, but the band is tight, the jams are blistering and Bobby can sill belt out the classics.

Highlights from the third show include a gorgeous “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo,” a nearly 20-minute “Birdsong” to close out the first set, a second set “U.S. Blues” and the “Brokedown Palace > Playing In The Band (Reprise)” encore.

Set One:
01 Samson And Delilah
02 Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
03 They Love Each Other
04 Greatest Story Ever Told
05 If I Had The World To Give
06 Ramble On Rose
07 Birdsong

Set Two:
01 Tuning
02 St. Stephen >
03 Franklin’s Tower >
04 U.S. Blues >
05 Terrapin Station >
06 Drums >
07 Space >
08 The Other One >
09 Morning Dew >
10 Not Fade Away

Encore:
11 Brokedown Palace >
12 Playing In The Band (Reprise)

While Dead and Company’s summer tour doesn’t kick off until May 30th, Dead and Company heads to the Southeast this weekend for three make-up dates from last year’s tour.

Thanks to Jeff Travitz for the phenomenal recording!

Photo credit: zachmellado