Dead & Company Playin' In The Sand Feb 15 - 18 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico - photos and review

Playing in the Sand 2018 featuring three Dead and Company shows was the trip of a lifetime for Deadheads all over the world; a destination event in the beautiful Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The nightly concerts took place on February 15th, 17th and 18th at the Barceló Maya Beach resort, on the Caribbean Sea where the band played and the crowd danced in the white sands and turquoise waters.  A bonus concert on Friday February 16th included the serene and lively Michael Franti who danced through the crowd singing, hugging and talking with fans.

Allman Brothers Band at the Beacon Theater

The Road Doesn’t Go On Forever....

Images and article by Bill Kelly

Bittersweet can best describe the feeling evoked by Friday night’s sold out show at the Beacon, the fifth of fourteen sold out evenings of the bands final Beacon run.  An almost unbroken run (let’s not get into the whole Dolan/Circus thing) since 1989, over 200 shows that have become as much a harbinger of spring in New York as March Madness and crocuses blooming in Central Park a few blocks east of the theater.

Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon - 2013

Images and article by Bill Kelly
On Friday evening the Allman Brothers began a 11 night run at the Beacon Theater that has become an annual harbinger of Spring in the New York area.  Following last year’s residency, many in attendance felt that Gregg Allman’s tenure with the band was drawing to a close; he left the second to last night show late in the 2nd set because of pain from a bulging disc and could not appear at the last show at all, being replaced by Bruce Katz on organ with Warren Haynes picking up lead vocals.  On Friday night, in much better health, Allman sang strongly, in full voice as the entire Beacon joined him singing Midnight Rambler.