Bob Weir’s October birthdays at the Capitol Theatre have quietly become one of those sacred fall rituals for Deadheads — nights when the music leans inward, the stories linger longer, and the connection between artist and audience feels almost conversational. But one of the most commonly misdated chapters in that tradition is also one of its most magical.

While many listings mistakenly tag Bob Weir’s Capitol Theatre “birthday show” as a 2017 performance, the concert that continues to circulate most widely — and the one fans still rave about — actually took place on October 16, 2016. That night was not only a celebration of Weir turning 69, but also one of the most emotionally resonant stops on his Campfire Tour, blending acoustic intimacy, rich Americana textures, and deep Grateful Dead heritage into a two-set experience that felt both personal and historic.

And tonight, that legendary evening takes center stage once again. Live Nuggets Radio presents a very special handpicked broadcast airing the full concert in its entirety every Tuesday night at 9PM EST — giving fans the chance to relive one of Weir’s most heartfelt Capitol Theatre performances from start to finish.

A Capitol Night That Felt Like a Campfire Circle

The Campfire Tour marked a creative turning point for Weir. It arrived on the heels of his Blue Mountain album, a collection rooted in folk storytelling, desert-wind Americana, and lyrical introspection. At the Capitol Theatre — a room already known for its warmth and near-mythical acoustics — the Campfire format transformed the show into something closer to a communal gathering than a conventional rock concert.

Weir opened the evening solo and unguarded, stepping out with “One More Saturday Night” as the crowd surprised him with a heartfelt “Happy Birthday.” From there, the mood settled into an intimate acoustic stretch that included “Peggy-O,” Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” and the title track “Blue Mountain,” allowing the audience to hear his voice and storytelling in their purest form.

A Handpicked Ensemble and a Carefully Curated Flow

As the night unfolded, Weir was joined by a uniquely assembled backing band featuring members of The National, guitar virtuoso Steve Kimock, bassist Jon Shaw, singer-songwriter Leslie Mendelson, and roots duo The Bandana Splits. The lineup gave the show a layered, textured sound — earthy and cinematic without ever overpowering Weir’s songs.

The first set gradually transitioned from solo acoustic moments into fuller arrangements with The Bandana Splits, flowing through “One More River to Cross,” “Darkest Hour,” “Lay My Lily Down,” “Ghost Towns,” and “Gonesville.” Each song carried the quiet confidence of a performer comfortable letting the music breathe, letting space and silence become part of the story.

Set Two: Where the Dead Came Home

If the first set leaned into reflection, the second set opened the door wide for Deadheads. “Mama Tried” brought an outlaw-country edge before Weir turned toward his catalog of timeless Grateful Dead classics. “West L.A. Fadeaway” slid into the set with ease, while “Eyes of the World” shimmered with delicate percussion textures courtesy of Annie Nero on bongos.

“Uncle John’s Band” unfolded like a shared memory passed through generations, and “Morning Dew” carried the weight of its legacy — restrained, reverent, and deeply emotional. The set closed with a celebratory “Not Fade Away,” notable for marking the first time that evening Weir switched to electric guitar, giving the finale a spark of classic Dead energy.

Birthday Cake, Encore, and a Gentle Farewell

After a brief pause — and a birthday cake presentation that felt more like a family moment than a stage prop — Weir returned for an encore that was simple, sincere, and deeply moving. “Ki-Yi Bossie” arrived as a solo acoustic meditation, followed by a tender, communal “Brokedown Palace” with The Bandana Splits, sending the audience into the night on a note of gratitude and reflection.

A Show That Keeps Giving

The following year, Weir returned to the same room for his 70th birthday in 2017 with another free webcast — but it is the 2016 performance that has continued to resonate most strongly with fans, in part because of its balance between personal storytelling and Grateful Dead legacy. In a venue that seats fewer than 2,000 people, the Campfire Tour format turned the Capitol Theatre into something closer to a living room — warm, vulnerable, and emotionally connected.

Tonight’s Live Nuggets Radio broadcast gives listeners the rare chance to experience that magic in full once again. Airing every Tuesday night at 9PM EST, the station’s handpicked presentation of Bob Weir at the Capitol Theatre, October 16, 2016, serves as a reminder that sometimes the most powerful shows are not the loudest, flashiest, or most heavily publicized — but the ones where the music, the room, and the moment align just right.

For Deadheads, roots-rock lovers, and anyone who appreciates music that feels lived-in and sincere, this broadcast is more than a replay — it’s a return to a night that still glows quietly in the history of Bob Weir’s long and storied journey.