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One More Saturday Night with Dead & Company in Atlanta July 1, 2019 14:03

 

 Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
Photos by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography
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Over the past fifty years, the city of Atlanta has played host to countless moments in Grateful Dead history. When looking back over the band’s illustrious career, it’s no surprise that tickets were in such high demand on Saturday night. The blazing summer heat was met with an equally hot ticket, as Dead & Company made their annual visit to Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood over the weekend. It’s always extra special returning to this venue for any Dead related project, as I experienced my first “Dead show” here on the Wave The Flag tour in 2004. While the roster has evolved and some songs might have a slightly different sound, the fact that we’re still able to gather and celebrate this music with nearly 20,000 people is truly remarkable.

When this band came together in the fall of 2015, many of us didn’t know what to think. The “Fare Thee Well” shows were a very recent memory, and I’m not sure that anyone ever expected to see John Mayer playing lead guitar alongside Bobby, Billy, and Mickey. What the Deadhead nation has witnessed since then has been nothing short of magical. The six-piece now has nearly five years under their belt, and Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, and Jeff Chimenti have proven to be the perfect combination for this interpretation of the Grateful Dead.

The band came out of the gate with guns blazing on Saturday night. “Scarlet Begonias” and “The Music Never Stopped” made for a beautiful pairing. “Alabama Getaway” proved to be one of the more rockin’ moments of the night. Weir has always done a phenomenal job with the Johnny Cash catalog, and “Big River” was certainly on point. It’s always a treat to hear “West LA Fadeaway,” even if D&C’s rendition is slowed down just a bit. Weir appeared the play the first few notes of “He’s Gone” before quickly aborting, switching guitars, and allowing Mayer to lead the way through a killer “Tennesee Jed.”  The first set would end just as strong as it started, as “Bird Song” worked its way in and out of “Loose Lucy” before coming back in full force.

The sun was finally starting to set, and the band returned to the stage after a lengthy set break. An extended jam eventually led us to “The Other One,” which would then segue into a surprising stand alone “Franklin’s Tower.” Mayer led the band through “Crazy Fingers” in impressive fashion. Any time I’m fortunate enough to hear the “Lady with a Fan” > “Terrapin Station” combo is a very special occasion. This particular performance was perfect in every way. They eventually made their way back to “The Other One” before unleashing Hart & Kreutzmann for “Drums” > “Space.” The rest of the band returned to stage and eventually hit the opening notes of “Althea,” the song which led Mayer to discover the Dead’s music. Weir then performed one of the more coveted Garcia ballads in “Standing on the Moon,” before “One More Saturday Night” ended the set in proper fashion.

After the “Scarlet Begonias” opener, many wondered if and when we would hear “Fire on the Mountain.” Fortunately, the band returned for the encore and Burbridge finally had his chance to shine on lead vocals. Walking out of the venue, I felt that familiar since of gratitude that can only be achieved by these unique musical journeys. While I was lucky enough to stumble across the Grateful Dead’s music at a young age, it was just after the passing of Jerry Garcia. The reality that I’m able to be a part of this experience so many years later is something I'll never take for granted. These are moments that I’ll cherish for as long as I live, and hopefully, there will be many more Grateful nights to come.


Oteil Burbridge: The Luckiest Man Alive October 9, 2018 21:00

Interview by Brett Hutchins

The rumbles of the Allman Brothers freight train and the ecstatic bliss of the Grateful Dead have had one singular common thread - low end master Oteil Burbridge. As bassist for the final edition of The Allman Brothers and now the ever-popular Dead and Company, Burbridge is well aware of his place in jam history and how lucky he is. But these gigs didn’t just happen. They’ve been stewing together since birth, immersed in a musical childhood, and pried and prodded by jam philosopher-in-chief, Col. Bruce Hampton. In front of a headlining gig at this weekend’s Suwannee Roots Revival, Burbridge dove deep with Live and Listen about Col. Bruce’s life lessons, fatherhood, the similarities of church and the Grateful Dead experience, and the importance of, at the very least, remembering to always try. If luck is when preparation meets opportunity, Oteil is its preeminent example.

You were immersed in the arts as a kid. How important was this to your future success?

Oteil: Absolutely crucial. Some of it you have to realize was necessity. It’s a good thing they looked at it that way. They were trying to keep us off the street. They threw everything at us - music, art, dance, acting, visual arts. They wanted to see what stuck and what we liked most. We were enjoying all of it. But for me and my brother Kofi, music was the strongest one. I also learned from my mom that your job was going to take up a huge chunk of your life time wise, so you should make it something you love. Mom enjoyed her work, and my dad not so much. I learned what kind of toll that can take on a person.

Were you and your brother having musical conversations as soon as you started banging on those instruments?

Oteil: He’s older than me, and it took me a while to be able to play anywhere near his level, which I’m still nowhere near. They discovered he had perfect pitch when he was seven years old, so he was someone that excelled at a really extreme rate. That was good for me because A - I thought that was normal, and B - it’s the mark I was shooting for. It helped me to push to where he was.

So it’s always been aspirational from you looking up to him?

Oteil: It still is. I’m still trying to catch up. By the time we were teenagers, we were starting to play together, so it took me a while.

Your name means explorer and wander in Egyptian. Do you ever feel like you were meant to play this type of exploratory music from the get-go?

Oteil: Oh yeah. And be on the road all the time. The African tradition is that your name has something to do with your destiny, so in my case, it was dead-on.

Talk about the Atlanta scene that got you started.

Oteil: When I moved to Atlanta with Kofi, we were just playing in cover bands, wedding bands, jazz bands. Anything to make ends meet. We had a rough time financially, but fortunately I met Col. Bruce, and my whole life took a complete left turn. I couldn’t have even begun to predict or envision how far to the left my career would go after meeting him. It was a great preparation for the Allman Brothers and Dead and Company. We had so much fun in that band mixing funk, bluegrass and blues, rock, everything. It was crazy. And more importantly, fun. That’s another lesson from Bruce - always have fun.

Was that relationship electric from the get go? He seems like the type of guy that as soon as you shook his hand, you knew something special was going.

Oteil: I’d say within 20 minutes of meeting him, I knew I was going to follow him.

What were the most important things he taught you, either in life or music?

Oteil: So many things. He taught me a new way of listening to music. I listened to music as a musician, but he taught me to listen as a human. He always stressed that in my playing. He wanted to hear all the other sides of you. He wanted music that sweats and bleeds and isn’t all dressed up and perfect. He liked that too, but you have to have both sides to really make it work.

You get that from a lot of folk , bluegrass, country, and blues. It does sweat. It does bleed. It’s like life. Sure you sometimes laugh and get all dressed up and perfumed up, but he wanted the pain, too. That’s something I now listen to in other people’s playing. A lot of the music I used to listen to doesn’t do it for me anymore, because it doesn’t sweat or bleed. I can’t smell it. I need more of the whole package.

So more feeling vs. thinking?

Oteil: Yes. I love intelligent playing, but if all I hear in someone’s music is how clever they are, it just isn’t enough for me anymore. When you’re a musician that’s just starting to play, and you came up in jazz and classical and all that, you’re focused on the mechanics and making sure you can actually play it. But that can quickly become the sole focus. When that happens, it’s a narrow vision of what music is capable of.

Watch Oteil performing w/ Col. Bruce & Aquarium Rescue Unit (1992) here:

You mention that back in those days you were super snobby about what you were listening to. What would Oteil from that era think about a pop star like John Mayer joining your band?

Oteil: I wasn’t even aware of him back then. I was deeply immersed in what happened in early recorded music. I had gone back to the mid to late 40’s and once Col Bruce came on board, we went back to the 20s and 30s and started studying classical as well. I had zero idea of what was going on on the radio.

Even at my age of 50, when I heard John Mayer was going to be a part of it, it surprised me. But I’ve learned you never know what’s going to happen and to never prejudge. Of course in being in the band with him, I was hoping people would give me, and us as a band, that same chance. If it wasn’t happening, it wasn’t happening. People can tell if the magic is there. We felt it as soon as we started rehearsing, but we didn’t know if the fans were going to buy it. Fortunately, they were feeling the same thing that we feel.

Was there a bit of a brotherhood between you, him, and Chimenti because of not being part of the core original members?

Oteil: Of course, as much because of our age than anything.

Is there a concerted effort by the three of you to inject some adrenaline into the shows sometimes?

Oteil: Yes, but it’s nothing that’s intellectually premeditated. We have a lot of energy, and that’s naturally going to happen. It’s not something we think about, in fact, it’s often times the opposite in that we have to force ourselves to reel it in or curtail it a little bit and not go off all the way too soon.

I’ve been following John for a while, and I know how excited he can get, not only when something’s clicking musically, but also how intensely he studies it.

Oteil: It’s good to have that tension. It’s good to play with cats that are older than you, and it’s good to see both sides of it with your own eyes and feel it. It’s good for us.

How intimidating were those first days of the Dead and Company experience, and how did you conquer those fears?

Oteil: You don’t. I tell my students all the time. You have to embrace doing it afraid. That’s another thing Col. Bruce used to always talk about. He called it embracing the mirror of embarrassment. You’re essentially getting naked on stage. It doesn’t matter how you feel about it. You have to be vulnerable and be willing to let the world see everything up there. I get nervous before I play. My stomach will be knotted up, but once we’re into a few songs the joy will rise up and obliterate the nerves.

Listen to John Mayer discuss playing w/ Oteil on 'Tales From The Golden Road' here:

Did you spend any time in the church growing up? Do see much of a connection between the secular musical experience and the church?

Oteil: I didn’t grow up in church. My parents were really scarred by the church, so much so that my dad was heavily against it. I had a very spiritual experience when I bottomed out at around age forty, and that caused me to investigate it. I’m sure I’d be considered a heretic now, but I do see a great correspondence between improvisational music - the dancing, the ecstatic nature of the beast - and spirituality of all kinds, whether it’s in church or not. When you get into this trance that music will get you, then your awareness is heightened. When you do it all together with a bunch of people, you achieve this group consciousness that really has a lot of what I believe is supernatural power. I do see a lot of correspondence. Probably more of the Pentecostal churches, where the music is a huge part of it, and it’s not subdued. It’s jammin’ pretty hard.

Especially in these big crowds with the Dead and Company shows. It gets stereotyped, but the energy is there. It’s palpable. You can feel it.

Oteil: It is, and it’s not like any other crowd. I’ve seen so many different bands and crowds, and this is a whole different animal. It’s a real positive time. We’re in a stadium playing a "Bird Song" or "Dark Star" that reminds me of a Miles Davis ballad for 20 or 30 minutes, and people are really listening. That’s something. People are really tuned in. It’s a different thing that I am super fortunate to experience from the stage.

How does being a new father approach either life or music?

Oteil: It’s changed everything. Every cliche is so true. He’s three and a half, and I can’t wait for him to get home from school so we can play. You always hear that you can’t imagine the quality of love that you will feel for your child. You won’t know until you have a child. It’s different than any sort of love - mom, dad, brother, sister, even your spouse. If you embrace it though, it can even deepen your love of your spouse. When we’re together, I’m like he’s part me and part her. It’s nuts. I had him late. I had him at 50, so my mind is at a better place, so I know to savor it and how quick it’s going to go.

You’re back at Suwannee Roots Revival Thursday with Oteil and Friends this weekend. Who are your friends?

Oteil: Scott Metzger (JRAD) on guitar, John Kadlecik (Further) on guitar, Jay Lane (Ratdog) on drums, Weedie Braimah on percussion, Alfreda Gerald on percussion, Jason Crosby (Phil & Friends) on keys, who used to play with me with the Peacemakers. It’s going to be smoking.

What makes the Suwannee grounds so special?

Oteil: I’ve always loved it. I’ve played there before the Allman Brothers, maybe five years before the Allman Brothers started playing there. The very last Wanee we did with the Allman Brothers, my wife and I camped there. I don’t even know if the moon was full, but the trails were so lit up even at night that we could see how to get back to the tent. All those trails were so lit up, and it was so mystical. I just remember being like “WHOA,” this is why they call it the SPIRIT of Suwannee. I could totally feel it. After all those years playing, I finally got the full taste by camping and got the whole shabang. It’s so beautiful.

In watching you play and reading your interviews, you seem like you are extremely in tune with the beauty of the world around you and how lucky you truly are. Do you have any sort of routine to keep that positivity flowing?

Oteil: It’s a constant fight on this planet. I’m trying to embrace all of it. I always say that the key to my happiness is getting closer and closer to radical acceptance. You can’t have peace all the time. It’s like the sun being out all the time. Night has to exist. I get better at not dealing with the negative stuff, but accepting it for what it is. I fail all the time. Try running through the airport with a three year old. That little guy knows he can work us. He wins sometimes, and I lose it. I try to do my best, but I’m just average.

It’s also realize easier for me. I play music for a living. I’m not driving hours to the office to a job I can’t stand. Life is going to challenge you, so just try. Trying counts for something.

Despite Hurricane Michael, this weekend’s Suwannee Roots Revival is still on at the beautiful Spirit of Suwannee Music Park.


Stream Dead & Company's Tour Opener For Free Tonight May 30, 2018 17:20

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Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photo
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Dead & Company are all set for tonight's Summer Tour opener at Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA, and they're offering a free stream to celebrate the occasion. Tonight's stream is available via nugs.tv, who will also be streaming each show for the entire tour. See below for a direct link to the stream, as well as a complete list of Dead & Company's tour dates, which run through mid-July and culminate with a two-night stand at LOCKN' Festival in Arrington, VA on August 25th - 26th
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Dead & Company Tour Dates

May 30 - Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
June 1 - Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
June 2 - Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
June 4 - Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
June 6 - Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
June 8 - Atlanta, GA – Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood
June 9 - Raleigh, NC – Coast Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
June 11 - Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
June 13 - Hartford, CT – XFINITY Theatre
June 15 - New York, NY – Citi Field
June 16 - New York, NY – Citi Field
June 19 - Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
June 20 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
June 22 - East Troy, WI – Alpine Valley Music Theatre
June 23 - East Troy, WI – Alpine Valley Music Theatre
June 29 - Quincy, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre
June 30 - Eugene, OR – Autzen Stadium
July 2 - Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 3 - Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 6 - Chula Vista, CA – Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
July 7 - Los Angeles, CA – Dodger Stadium
July 11 - Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
July 13 - Boulder, CO – Folsom Field
July 14 - Boulder, CO – Folsom Field
August 25 - Arrington, VA – LOCKN’ Festival
August 26 - Arrington, VA – LOCKN’ Festival

Stream tonight's Dead & Company show here:
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Dead & Company To Headline LOCKN' Festival February 1, 2018 11:21

After months of speculation and several recent hints, LOCKN' Festival has confirmed that Dead & Company will indeed headline this year's event. The Grateful Dead-themed super group is confirmed to play four sets over the course of two nights. Since forming in the fall of 2015, Dead & Company has focused on extensive tours + headlining shows, with the exception of an appearance at Bonnaroo in 2016. Bob Weir, Oteil Burbridge, Bill Kreutzmann, and Jeff Chimenti have all performed at LOCKN' with various projects in the past. 

“The Grateful Dead played legendary shows at Monterey Pop, the US Festival and Woodstock, but their heyday occurred before the modern music festivals we know today emerged,” Lockn’ organizer Peter Shapiro told Rolling Stone. “We are honored to have Dead & Company headline back-to-back nights because it’s so rare. This festival was built on the spirit of the Grateful Dead so their performance is going to be a very big deal for Deadheads everywhere.”

Look for additional LOCKN' performers to be revealed individually over the next week. The full lineup should be confirmed by February 8th. On February 9, Tier 1 tickets will go on sale. Head to the LOCKN's official website for more information.

Watch Dead & Company perform "Jack Straw" on Late Night with Stephen Colbert here:

 


Dead & Company Confirms 2018 Summer Tour Dates January 18, 2018 09:25

Look out, 2018 - Summer Tour coming your way! Dead & Company has announced a 2018 tour, kicking off on Wednesday, May 30th in Mansfield, Massachusetts at the Xfinity Center and returning for two-night stands at iconic venues such as Citi Field in New York; Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin; Shoreline Amphitheatre in San Francisco, California; and Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, while also adding new venues, including Los Angeles’ historic Dodger Stadium and Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, to the tour. Tickets go on sale starting Friday, January 26, at 10 AM local time through Ticketmaster, unless otherwise noted.
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To ensure you, the real fans, get tickets in your hands directly, Verified Fan Registration will be available for all tour dates beginning today. Supplies are limited, so register today to become a Verified Fan to get access to presale tickets. To register to become a Ticketmaster Verified Fan and get access to presale tickets, click HERE! Registration closes Friday, January 19 at 6PM ET. Presale opportunities will be available beginning Monday, January 22, at 10 AM local time.*
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Dead & Company has once again partnered with CID Entertainment to offer VIP Experiences & Seamless Packages on tour including a premium concert ticket with early venue entry, a limited edition, screen printed poster and a commemorative concert ticket and case beginning Monday, January 22 at 10 AM local time. For full package details, click HERE.
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Dead & Company Summer Tour Dates:
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-5/30/18 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center++
6/1/18 – Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion++

6/2/18 – Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion++

6/4/18 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center

6/6/18 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center++

6/8/18 – Atlanta, GA @ Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood++

6/9/18 – Raleigh, NC @ Coast Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

6/11/18 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

6/13/18 – Hartford, CT @ XFINITY Theatre

6/15/18 – New York, NY @ Citi Field**

6/16/18 – New York, NY @ Citi Field**

6/19/18 – Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

6/20/18 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center

6/22/18 – East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre

6/23/18 – East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre

6/29/18 – Quincy, WA @ Gorge Amphitheatre

6/30/18 – Eugene, OR @ Autzen Stadium

7/2/18 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre++

7/3/18 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre++

7/6/18 – Chula Vista, CA @ Mattress Firm Amphitheatre++

7/7/18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Dodger Stadium

7/11/18 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater++

7/13/18 – Boulder, CO @ Folsom Field**^

7/14/18 – Boulder, CO @ Folsom Field**^
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All dates, otherwise noted, on sale Friday, January 26 at 10AM local time
**Tickets are not available through Ticketmaster for these concerts

++Tickets go on sale Saturday, January 27 at 10AM local time

^Verified Fan Presale not available for Boulder, CO performances

Dead & Company Announces Rescheduled NOLA + Florida Dates December 8, 2017 10:31

Well, that didn't take long. Just three days ago, Dead & Company  lead guitarist John Mayer was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy, forcing the band to cancel the last three shows of its fall tour. This was tough news for those expecting to see the band that night in New Orleans, as well as this weekend in Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando. If there's one thing that's certain, this band will always do what's right for its fan, and the latest announcement this morning only proves that notion even further. See below for the band's official statement regarding rescheduled dates for New Orleans, Ft. Lauderdale, and Orlando. Forever grateful!

"“The Dead & Company concerts that were postponed due to John Mayer’s emergency appendectomy have been rescheduled for 2/24 in New Orleans, 2/26 in Ft. Lauderdale, and 2/27 in Orlando. Tickets for the original shows will be honored at these newly announced 2018 dates. Should ticketholders choose to seek a refund, they will be available at point of purchase.”

Head over to the band's official website for further details!


Dead & Company Forced To Cancel Tonight's Show In New Orleans December 5, 2017 11:28

Dead & Company's fall tour was scheduled for a highly anticipated show at New Orleans' Smoothie King Center tonight, but the band has been forced to postpone. Earlier this morning, Dead & Company guitarist John Mayer was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. No further information has been released at this time, but make sure to follow Dead & Company's official Facebook and Instagram pages for all official updates. Wishing a quick and speedy recovery for John Mayer!


Dead & Company Announces 2017 Fall Tour Dates September 7, 2017 11:45

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Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photo
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Dead & Company has announced a 15-date fall tour, which kicks off with a two-night run at Madison Square Garden and wraps up with a two-night run in FloridaTicket and VIP presales kick off Tuesday, September 12 for Fall Tour 2017 with general on sale for most dates on Friday, September 16. Full list of dates listed below To ensure you, the real fans, get tickets in your hands directly, Verified Fan Registration will be available for all tour dates beginning today. Supplies are limited, so register today to become a Verified Fan to get access to presale tickets. Registration closes Sunday, September 10 at 10PM PST. Register here: http://deadandco.tmverifiedfan.com
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Dead & Company was formed in 2015 and first toured that fall. The band went on to tour again in the Summer of 2016 and earlier this summer.  Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir joined forces with singer/guitarist John Mayer, bassist Oteil Burbridge, and pianist Jeff Chimenti to form the band Dead & Company. The band will take the stage at a series of shows at the legendary Madison Square Garden beginning October 31st and will perform two sets of music drawing largely from the Dead’s historic catalog of songs. 
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Nov. 12th - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Nov. 14th - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Nov. 16th - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center
Nov. 17th - Boston, MA - TD Garden
Nov. 21st - Washington, DC - Capitol One Arena
Nov. 22nd- Hartford, CT - XL Center 
Nov 24th -Detroit, MI - Little Caesar's Arena
Nov. 25th - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena 
Nov. 28th -Charlotte, NC - Spectrum Center 
Nov. 29th -Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena 
Dec. 1st -Dallas, TX - American Airlines Arena 
Dec. 2nd - Austin, TX - Frank Erwin Center
Dec. 5th -New Orleans, LA - Smoothie King Center 
Dec. 7th -Orlando, FL - Amway Center
Dec. 8th -Sunrise, FL - BB&T Center
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Dead & Company Reveal Plans For 'Playing In The Sand' In Mexico July 25, 2017 14:08

Clear your calendar, Dead & Company is heading to Mexico! February 15-18, 2018 the Dead-themed supergroup will be Playing In The Sand. This event will be an all-inclusive Caribbean concert vacation in beautiful Riviera Maya. Want in early? Sign up for access to a special presale before packages are available to the public: playinginthesand.co/dc. Presale will begin August 1st, and packages will be available to the public on August 3rd. Stay tuned for further details on what is sure to be one of the most exciting events of the new year.


Dead & Company's First 2017 Tour Date Has Surfaced December 1, 2016 09:13

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While guitarist John Mayer has expressed his intent to focus on his solo career in 2017, it appears that we can officially count on more Dead & Company as well.  The supergroup  featuring Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann along with Mayer, Jeff Chimenti and Oteil Burbridge appeared at many of America's biggest most prestigious venues in 2016, and it's first 2017 tour date surfaced online this morning.  
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A newly surfaced Facebook event and listing via LiveNation has the band playing Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on Wednesday, June 28th.  The listing, which has since been taken down, showed a general public on-sale starting on December 9th at 10:00 AM.   There will be multiple pre-sales ahead of tickets going up for grabs to the general public including an artist pre-sale on Monday, so we can only imagine that a full tour announcement is coming in the near future.  Stay tuned for further updates on Dead & Company!
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Watch Dead & Company perform "Bertha" and "Good Lovin'" at Folsom Field on July 2nd, 2016 here:
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Watch Bill Walton Sit-In On "Drums" At Dead & Company's Tour Closer July 31, 2016 14:04

Saturday night's performance at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA would serve as the tour closer for Dead & Company's 24-show summer tour.  This summer has been a critical time for the latest Dead-themed super group, as they were able to build off of the foundation established during the fall of 2016 and expand to the next level.  With much early speculation as to whether guitarist John Mayer would be the proper fit, Dead & Company has undoubtedly won over Deadheads far and wide as this tour proved early and often.

Late in the Saturday's second set, it was time for one last psychedelic "Drums> "Space," and the band had a nice surprise up their sleeve.  Drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, better known as "The Rhythm Devils," welcomed bassist Oteil Burbridge back to the stage, as well as NBA legend and famed Deadhead Bill Walton.  Check out video footage from "Drums" below, as well as a complete setlist from Saturday night's tour closer.

Watch a segment from "Drums" with Bill Walton, Oteil Burbridge, Mickey Hart, & Bill Kreutzmann here:

 


Watch Dead & Company Debut "Dire Wolf" at Alpine Valley July 10, 2016 13:43

Dead & Company's summer tour continued in fine form last night, with the first of a two-night run at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.  This summer has been full of exciting moments and debuts, as the band has made a point to feed off of 2015's momentum and expand on their catalog.  Saturday night at Alpine Valley was no different, as John Mayer (guitar/vocals) led the band through the Grateful Dead's "Dire Wolf," a debut tune for Dead & Company, and one which was surprisingly not performed at any of the five 'Fare Thee Well' shows last summer.  "Dire Wolf" seemed to be as perfect of a fit as any for Mayer, as his blues/rock background truly complimented the Dead classic.  Saturday night's show would also include two Bob Dylan classics: "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" and the Dead & Company debut of "Knockin' On Heavens Door" during the encore.

Click Here: Tune in to Night 2 of Dead & Company at Alpine Valley via nugs.tv

Watch Dead & Company debut "Dire Wolf" at Alpine Valley here:


Dead & Company Announces Webcasts For Alpine Valley Shows July 7, 2016 09:20

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Photo by Maria Ives 
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Dead & Company, the newly formed supergroup featuring Grateful Dead members Bob Weir,Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart joined by John Mayer, Jeff Chimenti and Oteil Burbridge, are continuing their summer tour this weekend at Apine Valley Music Theatre in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.  If you're unable to make it to the shows, the band is giving you the option to watch the shows from the comfort of your own couch.

Webcasts of both Dead & Company shows at Alpine Valley are available on a Pay-Per-View basis via nugs.tv. Both webcasts can be purchased in both HD and SD formats. The broadcasts are expected to start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday nights. If you can’t watch live you can catch any parts you missed via nugs.tv's Video On Demand option after the show for 48 hours.  Dead & Company continues their summer tour on Thursday night at DTE Energy Music Theatre near Detroit.

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Watch Dead & Company perform "Scarlet Begonias" > "Fire on the Mountain" at Folsom Field on July 2nd 2016 here:
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Dead & Company Will Play in Charlotte, Donate $100,000 to HRC & Equality NC June 3, 2016 11:47

With Dead & Company's highly anticipated summer tour scheduled to kick off next Friday, June 10th, in Charlotte, NC, thousands of fans have anxiously awaited to hear whether or not the band would join the likes of Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen in canceling their shows in North Carolina.  Dead & Company  has announced that rather than cancelling it's Charlotte show in protest of the infamous HB2 bill and depriving their fans, the band will instead be donating $100,000 to The Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina.  They also announced that they will host a "participation row" section of "local organizations fighting discrimination and national organizations dedicated to voter registration and protecting the planet.

See below for the band's official statement:

This March, when North Carolina lawmakers passed HB2 and Governor Pat McCrory signed it into law, we categorically objected to it. We had hoped that by now this abhorrent law would have been repealed. Sadly, it has not.

After much thought, consideration and conversation, we feel the most effective way to move forward is to perform as scheduled in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 10 and to donate $100,000.00 to organizations engaged in this battle for justice – the Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina.

Additionally, we will assemble a "Participation Row" social action area, where we'll host local organizations fighting discrimination and national organizations dedicated to voter registration and protecting the planet. Every fan in attendance will have an opportunity to learn about the true ramifications of the HB2 law, and take meaningful action by registering to vote; to that end we are working on an online community registration site that will assist the HeadCount organization in promoting and simplifying voter registration.

Dead shows have always been a safe place for all of our audience to come together through music no matter how they appear or self-identify. History shows these values of openness and inclusiveness have served us - and the world around us - well.

We’ve never been a band that’s spoken many words when we’re on stage. But we hope that our actions, and the actions of our fans, will ring louder than ever before.

With Love and Respect,
Dead & Company

Watch Dead & Company perform "Scarlet Begonias" on Jimmy Kimmel Live here:


DVR Alert: Dead & Company Performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live Tonight May 10, 2016 10:02

Dead & Company, the newly formed supergroup combining Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, & Bill Kreutzmann with John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, & Jeff Chimenti, will be performing tonight on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live.   This will mark the band's second-ever performance on national television.  Other guests on this episode include Russell Crowe and Mike Birbiglia.  Tonight's show can be watched on ABC at 10:35 PM CST / 11:35 PM CST.

Dead & Company is scheduled to kick off it's highly anticipated summer tour in exactly one month at PNC Pavilion in Charlotte, NC (6/10), before performing two sets at Bonnaroo Music Festival on Sunday, June 12th.  For further details and all ticketing info on Dead & Company's summer tour, head over to the band's official website.

Watch Dead & Company perform "Franklin's Tower" at at their American Express UNSTAGED show last October here:


Dead & Company Announces 2016 Summer Tour Dates February 8, 2016 07:18

Dead & Company, the newly formed supergroup combining Grateful Dead members Bob WeirMickey Hart, & Bill Kreutzmann with John MayerOteil Burbridge, & Jeff Chimenti, will officially keep on truckin' through the summer of 2016.  The band announced their summer tour dates early Monday morning, starting off in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 10, before making their way to Citi Field in New York (6/25 - 6/26), Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado (7/02 - 7/03) and Fenway Park in Boston (7/15 - 7/16). Dates announced run through July 16 though a July 4 concert has not yet been specified.  The band is also scheduled to play two sets at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival (Sat. June 10 or Sun. June 11th).

Tickets through Live Nation go on sale starting Friday, February 12 at 10 a.m. A presale is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9 at 10 a.m via DeadandCompany.com.

Dead & Company 2016 Summer Tour Dates:

Fri Jun 10                 Charlotte, NC                      PNC Music Pavilion
Thu Jun 16               Cincinnati, OH                     Riverbend Music Center
Fri Jun 17                 Noblesville, IN                     Klipsch Music Center
Mon Jun 20              Camden, NJ                        BB&T Pavilion
Tue Jun 21               Saratoga Springs, NY         Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Thu Jun 23               Bristow, VA                         Jiffy Lube Live
Sat Jun 25                Flushing, NY                       Citi Field**
Sun Jun 26               Flushing, NY                       Citi Field**
Tue Jun 28               Hartford, CT                        Xfinity Theatre
Sat Jul 02                 Boulder, CO                        Folsom Field**
Sun Jul 03                Boulder, CO                        Folsom Field**
Thu Jul 07                Detroit, MI                           DTE Energy Music Theatre
Sat Jul 09                 East Troy, WI                      Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Sun Jul 10                East Troy, WI                      Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Wed Jul 13               Pittsburgh, PA                     First Niagara Pavilion
Fri Jul 15                  Boston, MA                         Fenway Park**
Sat Jul 16                 Boston, MA                         Fenway Park**

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, unless noted **.

Watch Dead & Company perform "Help On The Way" > "Slipknot" from their American Express UNSTAGED show here:


Dead & Company To Play The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon On February 18th February 5, 2016 10:25

Dead & Company, the newly formed supergroup combining Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, & Bill Kreutzmann with John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, & Jeff Chimenti, is headed to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, February 18th.  Drummer Mickey Hart confirmed the date on Tuesday.  The episode will be a part of the show's week long stint at it's original home in Los Angeles.  Other guests on this episode include Vince Vaughn and Ryan Seacrest.  Stay tuned to as we expect to see Summer Tour dates from Dead & Company in the very near future.

Watch Dead & Company's entire Halloween show at Madison Square Garden here:


Dead & Company Bring Out John Popper of Blues Traveler in San Francisco December 28, 2015 13:22

 

Photo by John Dreller

Dead & Company took the stage for the first of a four night California New Years Run last night, kicking things off at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco.  The momentum built by the newly formed Dead-themed supergroup continues to build, as can be seen in the setlist below, courtesy of Deadhandland.com.  Bob Weir and John Mayer maintained a steady rotation on lead vocals, as they seem to prefer, and shared the duty on "Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad" to close the second set.

The evening took a truly special turn when it came time for the encore.  Weir and Mayer both took to their acoustic guitars for a beautiful rendition of "Ripple."  The surprise of the evening came with the band's second encore, as they welcomed John Popper of Blues Traveler for a little help on "Casey Jones" to close out the night.  Mayer took lead vocals on the fan favorite, leaving the electric San Francisco crowd plenty to look forward to as Dead & Co. return for night two on Monday night. The band then heads to The Forum in Los Angeles on Wednesday, 12/30 and Thursday, 12/31.

Watch Dead & Company's "Casey Jones" w/ John Popper via kindlot.com

Dead & Company
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium San Francisco, CA

Set I: Truckin’ > Cold Rain and Snow, Brown-Eyed Women, Black-Throated Wind, Standing on the Moon > Cassidy, U.S. Blues

Set II: Samson and Delilah, Deal > He’s Gone > Estimated Prophet > Eyes of the World > Drums > Space > Black Peter, Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad

Enc: Ripple*

Enc 2: Casey Jones^

Notes: *Bob Weir and John Mayer acoustic, ^with John Popper

Source: Deadheadland.com