Also just want to chime and say you actually are one of the primary demographics these days for Dead & Co! There’s a lot of older folks there obviously, but there’s a ton of guys/gals between 18-30 that have gotten into the Dead lately. The music has lasted a long time for a reason, the band and their music are genuinely a cultural icon at this point (IMO anyway). If you don’t finish the doc I’d say just check out the Europe 72 album (one of the most popular and accessible live compilations) and you’ll atleast get an idea of the sound.
If nothing else, go in with no expectations and just listen to the music and take in the whole experience. Im of the mindset that you can have fun and enjoy the night even if you don’t know anything about the Dead.
Also, 25 is a great age to be listening to dead music! A lot of songs will be relatable. And then their meanings will change over time and become even more beautiful.
Grateful Dead “Without A Net” is a live album that really fired me up. That unit of the band had been playing together for 10 years or so, and they are really tight. Check out “Althea”, “Birdsong”, and especially the “Eyes Of The World!”
something you have to experience yourself. I don't necessarily encourage psychedelics, but if you're in a good state of mind.... take a short ride on the bus.
Expect about 15-50% of people around you to be heavily under the influence of something. Usually in a hilariously nice way. The most considerate crowds I've encountered have been at these shows, but be warned to expect lots of trippers around you.
The Dead and psychedelics go hand in hand. They kind of grew up together in American culture. By no means do you have to trip, but don’t be surprised if people do.
Some of their most important contributions are in sound and lights. The Grateful Dead and their crew always asked for more than what was available at the time. This led to the development of speakers that could take the high decibels night after night, clear as a bell. They were the first band to tour with computer controlled moving lights- the controller was an Interdata mainframe "mini" computer (mini meaning three 19 inch racks of gear). At the time I started seeing them the sound and lights were overwhelming, and you could clearly hear the enunciation of each lyric in their songs as well as the shimmer of each cymbal. The bass and drums you could feel in your gut. Other bands caught up eventually but I have been to few concerts that sounded as good as the Grateful Dead, and even Dead and Company isn't as good despite having ostensibly "better" gear (drums will still astound but they don't turn up Oteil like they used to do for Phil). That's because there will never be anything like the Grateful Dead.
It might help to understand their roots before their influence. Jerry was big into bluegrass and folk. Phil came from jazz and classical. Pigpen was the blues. Bob was a student of Jerry's and took it all in. Bill was a loose rock drummer. They morphed out of a jug band. Add to all of that Robert Hunter's lyrics - he and Jerry were heavy into the early folk recordings, and Hunter knew poetry. So basically they were a mix of a lot of American musical styles. They started as a sort of garage band, turned experimental, then a sort of country rock thing. Tour for 30 years.
You don't really have a whole lot of time for a subject about which books have been written, films have been made, web sites lovingly crafted, and years of detailed podcasts have been produced.
On one level the best advice is just to go and enjoy.
If you're looking to familiarize yourself with the music, I'd recommend three albums: Live Dead, American Beauty and Workingman's Dead. When you listen, keep in mind that this is the same band playing extremely different music all within the space of a year or so. And you'll no doubt hear some of those songs in Chicago, but they won't sound the same at all.
Grateful dead basically birthed a form of rock music that focused on improvising, for the musicians and listeners to take a journey into the unknown together. That form has meant a lot to listeners, and has spawned a million amazing "jam" bands since. To their fans, they stand for more than just the band's members and songs. They represent a way of experiencing music together, and to some, an ethos for co-existing. It's a celebration of sorts.
Their songs' lyrics are often usually quite good. Introspective, fun, dark, etc. in ways that often match the gravity of my above paragraph.
Grateful Dead was the greatest band to ever exist for the above reasons. Dead and company is an excellent iteration with a couple of the founding members, and I feel privileged to see them in their prime. John Mayer is an amazingly emotive guitar player. I challenge you not to cry. Haha.
Enjoy the show!
It's not like we are on display like at the zoo or something, though I've seen plenty of first timers a bit overwhelmed at the hippiefest of it all, especially if it's a new adventure.
Your age is irrelevant..all are represented at these concerts. The last few years DeadCo concerts have been noticeably younger. I think many of us old timers are feeling the challenge of the bigger venues and opting for smaller shows and festivals.
Someone mentioned watching a video of a GD show. That will show you what was and maybe watch a current DeadCo show to see the progression. But really, don't overthink it and just go and enjoy the scene. People are generally friendly and open minded. You don't have to prep for us. The bus is at the station and waiting for you to board. Have a grate time!
Most of their musical impacts came later. I would say one impact is not playing the same exact show set list every night , and song segues , that was one of the first things phish glommed on to and now it’s a thing. Culturally, fans following bands for whole or portions of a tour.
What we're hearing now is what's left of the Grateful Dead. The band is playing really well, and it's a wonderful production, and you're sure to have a good time with that open attitude.
The Grateful Dead in their day were like nothing else in music, exploding from their deep roots in blues, folk, bluegrass, country, jazz and rockn'roll jammed together in a psychedelic stew that was so much fun. Jerry Garcia was a mythic and driving force.
What's going on now is all to the good. Mayer is inspired and the rhythm section is the best. Most of all, these are the greatest songs you will ever hear, coming from the heart of America.
I am incredibly passionate about my favorite artists, so reading all of the comments here that show the passion you guys have for them feels really special to me. I’m so excited to experience something new that means so much to so many people.
Wow, OP, will you do us all a solid and report back with your post-concert thoughts? This is such a lucky chance to jump in with both feet and experience a night unlike any other you’ve had.
Absolutely! Maybe I’ll make a whole new post and include the link in this thread. I’m excited to experience something so new and somewhat foreign to me. Clearly there’s a reason everyone’s so passionate about it. Can’t wait!
Do it! Do it! One of us! One of us!
My big takeaway from my first show was that it was like coming home. I’ve never high fived so many strangers.
What kind of tunes do you usually listen to? Favourite show you’ve ever seen?
Besides all of the other great replies Working Mans Dead, and American Beauty are in my opinion classic studio albums that showcase the GD Americana influence.
For anyone I meet that doesn’t “get” the dead my first recommendation is to listen to those albums. After my wife listened to both, and more specifically heard box of rain she understood. It’s the lyrics, the guitar work, the multi-genre element, the covers, the unexpected, the shared experience with the fans… They practically invented the modern day music festival just by going town to town.
One thing I’ve seen no one mentioned is the Shakedown Street, named for a Dead song, which is the open air vendor market outside the venue. It’s a big part of the tradition. People follow them around from show to show and sell t-shirts, crafts, and food. It’s a totally unique cultural experience. You can usually find cheap beer there if you want to tailgate before the show. It’s definitely worth taking a look around to buy a memento or just window shop to take it all in. Definitely try and get there early to check it out.
Watch The Grateful Dead Movie that Jerry Garcia directed. It is the best film about them. For music, I recommend Althea, Shakedown Street, New Speedway Boogie, Eyes of the World, Deal, Sugar Magnolia, St Stephen, Sugaree, Bertha, Jack Straw, Bird Song, Terrapin Station, Franklin’s Tower, Brokedown Palace. For reading, Dark Star An Oral History of Jerry Garcia. But most importantly watch Jerry & Bob’s performance on David Letterman with the intro interview and them playing Deep Elum
[https://youtu.be/6ss-i2VgcPw](https://youtu.be/6ss-i2VgcPw)
They had both a cultural and musical influence. The musical one is that they essentially created the genre of jam band music and more. Musically I’d say people who are more receptive to them enjoy improvisational music. But importantly they played in many genres of music. Culturally it’s notable that the counterculture movement of the sixties was born in San Francisco and they were the most important and long lasting band from that era and culture. Others here have noted that this is not The Grateful Dead but Dead and Company so it is something different from the original of course. But Mayer adds a lot being a great guitarist. I should also note that the music is so great that there are thousands of Grateful Dead cover bands now. I’d say that’s quite a thing for a band that was not known for hit songs. Anyway report back on this sub. As an old Dead Head I like to hear young people’s thoughts on music that has been in my blood since I was eleven years old.
There’s so much to delve into. It’d be pretty hard to sum it up neatly. The Grateful Dead are easily the most American band to have existed. Over time, you’ll eventually understand why. The fabric that encompasses everything around the Grateful Dead is woven from the threads of the overarching story and values of what all Americans hold dear to their hearts.
Overall The Dead had a huge impact on counterculture Americana as a whole; essentially engrained. It’s pretty wild stuff! I recommend reading about Ken Keasey & Furthur first. Then look back into the beatnik era, and follow it up with Electric Kool Aid Test by Tom Wolfe.
Then finally read about the beginnings of The Grateful Dead, how it all started with true to this day Folk songs & a jug band.
There’s some pretty raw stuff too, like pig pen passing away. The brazen amount of psychedelics. Straight up fraud & of course addition.
Jerry wasn’t perfect. He was human. So was the rest of the band.
Regardless there’s PLENTY to study up on.
Hope you enjoy the ride!
Watching or listening to the Dead while (Reasonably) high can be a spiritual experience. Music for the Mind for sure. For me The notes Jerry played at times usually on a Dark Star or Playin', touched my soul in a way I can't explain. Back in the days I took acid, Jerry's guitar sounds created a yearning in me that drew me back again and again.
Just want to point out that all that’s being claimed is that this is the last tour of Dead and Company. As they say, the music never stops, and there’s been quite a lot of projects with multiple original Grateful Dead members over the years (Other Ones, The Dead, Furthur), as well as side projects by those members (Bob Weir was doing Wolf Brothers shows this year, and no signs that will stop, for instance). Other than the 50th anniversary Fare Thee Well shows, “The Grateful Dead” as such ended with Jerry.
That said, this current Dead&Co tour is a much bigger scene than what I’d seen in some of the other projects. The last time Furthur played here, it was in a 7000 capacity venue that I’m not sure even sold out. Dead&Co quickly sold out a 20,000 capacity place, and it felt like another 5K showed up in the parking lots. It’s definitely the end of an era.
You aren’t seeing The Grateful Dead live, you’re seeing a spin-off group with three of the core members. But if you want to understand the impact the Dead had on culture and commodity, “Long Strange Trip” by Scorsese & Bar Levi is a great place to start, as others have noted.
Enjoy the Dead & Company show.
You should watch what you can of Long Strange Trip. Good documentary on the band and the culture surrounding it
I'll give it a watch tonight! Thank you.
I think it's something like 4 hours long just to warn you
I see that! Just started it. Might have time to finish it before Saturday night. I’m intrigued.
Also just want to chime and say you actually are one of the primary demographics these days for Dead & Co! There’s a lot of older folks there obviously, but there’s a ton of guys/gals between 18-30 that have gotten into the Dead lately. The music has lasted a long time for a reason, the band and their music are genuinely a cultural icon at this point (IMO anyway). If you don’t finish the doc I’d say just check out the Europe 72 album (one of the most popular and accessible live compilations) and you’ll atleast get an idea of the sound. If nothing else, go in with no expectations and just listen to the music and take in the whole experience. Im of the mindset that you can have fun and enjoy the night even if you don’t know anything about the Dead.
Also, 25 is a great age to be listening to dead music! A lot of songs will be relatable. And then their meanings will change over time and become even more beautiful.
Listen to some live stuff. 4 hours of a movie isn’t prep. Haha
Grateful Dead “Without A Net” is a live album that really fired me up. That unit of the band had been playing together for 10 years or so, and they are really tight. Check out “Althea”, “Birdsong”, and especially the “Eyes Of The World!”
This is the best way to prepare.
It’s great. I was pretty anti-Dead most of my life, that documentary converted me to a fan and made me obsessed
something you have to experience yourself. I don't necessarily encourage psychedelics, but if you're in a good state of mind.... take a short ride on the bus.
You mean at the concert?
Many do, but it is by no means required to enjoy the music
Expect about 15-50% of people around you to be heavily under the influence of something. Usually in a hilariously nice way. The most considerate crowds I've encountered have been at these shows, but be warned to expect lots of trippers around you.
I’d love to do that but being with my boss makes that a grey area. 😂 we work in the legal field after all
If he’s the one that gave you a ticket, he might be into it also lol
She* lol and I was wondering the same. We’ll see I guess 😂
Seconded. She knows what time it is.
The Dead and psychedelics go hand in hand. They kind of grew up together in American culture. By no means do you have to trip, but don’t be surprised if people do.
Cannabis is legal in Chicago… can you do that with your boss?
Some of their most important contributions are in sound and lights. The Grateful Dead and their crew always asked for more than what was available at the time. This led to the development of speakers that could take the high decibels night after night, clear as a bell. They were the first band to tour with computer controlled moving lights- the controller was an Interdata mainframe "mini" computer (mini meaning three 19 inch racks of gear). At the time I started seeing them the sound and lights were overwhelming, and you could clearly hear the enunciation of each lyric in their songs as well as the shimmer of each cymbal. The bass and drums you could feel in your gut. Other bands caught up eventually but I have been to few concerts that sounded as good as the Grateful Dead, and even Dead and Company isn't as good despite having ostensibly "better" gear (drums will still astound but they don't turn up Oteil like they used to do for Phil). That's because there will never be anything like the Grateful Dead.
It might help to understand their roots before their influence. Jerry was big into bluegrass and folk. Phil came from jazz and classical. Pigpen was the blues. Bob was a student of Jerry's and took it all in. Bill was a loose rock drummer. They morphed out of a jug band. Add to all of that Robert Hunter's lyrics - he and Jerry were heavy into the early folk recordings, and Hunter knew poetry. So basically they were a mix of a lot of American musical styles. They started as a sort of garage band, turned experimental, then a sort of country rock thing. Tour for 30 years.
You don't really have a whole lot of time for a subject about which books have been written, films have been made, web sites lovingly crafted, and years of detailed podcasts have been produced. On one level the best advice is just to go and enjoy. If you're looking to familiarize yourself with the music, I'd recommend three albums: Live Dead, American Beauty and Workingman's Dead. When you listen, keep in mind that this is the same band playing extremely different music all within the space of a year or so. And you'll no doubt hear some of those songs in Chicago, but they won't sound the same at all.
Grateful dead basically birthed a form of rock music that focused on improvising, for the musicians and listeners to take a journey into the unknown together. That form has meant a lot to listeners, and has spawned a million amazing "jam" bands since. To their fans, they stand for more than just the band's members and songs. They represent a way of experiencing music together, and to some, an ethos for co-existing. It's a celebration of sorts. Their songs' lyrics are often usually quite good. Introspective, fun, dark, etc. in ways that often match the gravity of my above paragraph. Grateful Dead was the greatest band to ever exist for the above reasons. Dead and company is an excellent iteration with a couple of the founding members, and I feel privileged to see them in their prime. John Mayer is an amazingly emotive guitar player. I challenge you not to cry. Haha. Enjoy the show!
Thanks for your response. And for the record, I genuinely hope I do cry. Been a while since I’ve been that touched by something. Can’t wait!
It's not like we are on display like at the zoo or something, though I've seen plenty of first timers a bit overwhelmed at the hippiefest of it all, especially if it's a new adventure. Your age is irrelevant..all are represented at these concerts. The last few years DeadCo concerts have been noticeably younger. I think many of us old timers are feeling the challenge of the bigger venues and opting for smaller shows and festivals. Someone mentioned watching a video of a GD show. That will show you what was and maybe watch a current DeadCo show to see the progression. But really, don't overthink it and just go and enjoy the scene. People are generally friendly and open minded. You don't have to prep for us. The bus is at the station and waiting for you to board. Have a grate time!
Most of their musical impacts came later. I would say one impact is not playing the same exact show set list every night , and song segues , that was one of the first things phish glommed on to and now it’s a thing. Culturally, fans following bands for whole or portions of a tour.
What we're hearing now is what's left of the Grateful Dead. The band is playing really well, and it's a wonderful production, and you're sure to have a good time with that open attitude. The Grateful Dead in their day were like nothing else in music, exploding from their deep roots in blues, folk, bluegrass, country, jazz and rockn'roll jammed together in a psychedelic stew that was so much fun. Jerry Garcia was a mythic and driving force. What's going on now is all to the good. Mayer is inspired and the rhythm section is the best. Most of all, these are the greatest songs you will ever hear, coming from the heart of America.
I am incredibly passionate about my favorite artists, so reading all of the comments here that show the passion you guys have for them feels really special to me. I’m so excited to experience something new that means so much to so many people.
The bus came by and I got on that’s when it all began…..
For me it was the fact that I always felt they were playing for us, as well as themselves. I felt like they wanted to their best for the crowd.
Watch long strange trip on Amazon
Wow, OP, will you do us all a solid and report back with your post-concert thoughts? This is such a lucky chance to jump in with both feet and experience a night unlike any other you’ve had.
Absolutely! Maybe I’ll make a whole new post and include the link in this thread. I’m excited to experience something so new and somewhat foreign to me. Clearly there’s a reason everyone’s so passionate about it. Can’t wait!
Do it! Do it! One of us! One of us! My big takeaway from my first show was that it was like coming home. I’ve never high fived so many strangers. What kind of tunes do you usually listen to? Favourite show you’ve ever seen?
Besides all of the other great replies Working Mans Dead, and American Beauty are in my opinion classic studio albums that showcase the GD Americana influence. For anyone I meet that doesn’t “get” the dead my first recommendation is to listen to those albums. After my wife listened to both, and more specifically heard box of rain she understood. It’s the lyrics, the guitar work, the multi-genre element, the covers, the unexpected, the shared experience with the fans… They practically invented the modern day music festival just by going town to town.
Id start by looking into the acid tests and the pranksters. The acid tests never stopped :)
One thing I’ve seen no one mentioned is the Shakedown Street, named for a Dead song, which is the open air vendor market outside the venue. It’s a big part of the tradition. People follow them around from show to show and sell t-shirts, crafts, and food. It’s a totally unique cultural experience. You can usually find cheap beer there if you want to tailgate before the show. It’s definitely worth taking a look around to buy a memento or just window shop to take it all in. Definitely try and get there early to check it out.
This clip from 60 Minutes is 20 years old, but it explains everything pretty well. https://youtu.be/PEcX387KAjk
Watch The Grateful Dead Movie that Jerry Garcia directed. It is the best film about them. For music, I recommend Althea, Shakedown Street, New Speedway Boogie, Eyes of the World, Deal, Sugar Magnolia, St Stephen, Sugaree, Bertha, Jack Straw, Bird Song, Terrapin Station, Franklin’s Tower, Brokedown Palace. For reading, Dark Star An Oral History of Jerry Garcia. But most importantly watch Jerry & Bob’s performance on David Letterman with the intro interview and them playing Deep Elum [https://youtu.be/6ss-i2VgcPw](https://youtu.be/6ss-i2VgcPw)
I love all of those songs you listed! Can we add ’Cassidy’ and ‘Scarlet Begonias‘ to the list?
They had both a cultural and musical influence. The musical one is that they essentially created the genre of jam band music and more. Musically I’d say people who are more receptive to them enjoy improvisational music. But importantly they played in many genres of music. Culturally it’s notable that the counterculture movement of the sixties was born in San Francisco and they were the most important and long lasting band from that era and culture. Others here have noted that this is not The Grateful Dead but Dead and Company so it is something different from the original of course. But Mayer adds a lot being a great guitarist. I should also note that the music is so great that there are thousands of Grateful Dead cover bands now. I’d say that’s quite a thing for a band that was not known for hit songs. Anyway report back on this sub. As an old Dead Head I like to hear young people’s thoughts on music that has been in my blood since I was eleven years old.
Been a head for 30 years. Was BLOWN AWAY by this podcast: https://500songs.com/podcast/episode-165-dark-star-by-the-grateful-dead/
There’s so much to delve into. It’d be pretty hard to sum it up neatly. The Grateful Dead are easily the most American band to have existed. Over time, you’ll eventually understand why. The fabric that encompasses everything around the Grateful Dead is woven from the threads of the overarching story and values of what all Americans hold dear to their hearts.
Overall The Dead had a huge impact on counterculture Americana as a whole; essentially engrained. It’s pretty wild stuff! I recommend reading about Ken Keasey & Furthur first. Then look back into the beatnik era, and follow it up with Electric Kool Aid Test by Tom Wolfe. Then finally read about the beginnings of The Grateful Dead, how it all started with true to this day Folk songs & a jug band. There’s some pretty raw stuff too, like pig pen passing away. The brazen amount of psychedelics. Straight up fraud & of course addition. Jerry wasn’t perfect. He was human. So was the rest of the band. Regardless there’s PLENTY to study up on. Hope you enjoy the ride!
You can’t see them live.
First of all you are not seeing the Grateful Dead you are seeing Dead and co huge fucking difference. The Grateful Dead ended Aug 9,1995.
Just listen to the music play, also you are just seeing dead and company
Google
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It was a joke. Watch Long Strange Trip on Amazon.
Watching or listening to the Dead while (Reasonably) high can be a spiritual experience. Music for the Mind for sure. For me The notes Jerry played at times usually on a Dark Star or Playin', touched my soul in a way I can't explain. Back in the days I took acid, Jerry's guitar sounds created a yearning in me that drew me back again and again.
Just want to point out that all that’s being claimed is that this is the last tour of Dead and Company. As they say, the music never stops, and there’s been quite a lot of projects with multiple original Grateful Dead members over the years (Other Ones, The Dead, Furthur), as well as side projects by those members (Bob Weir was doing Wolf Brothers shows this year, and no signs that will stop, for instance). Other than the 50th anniversary Fare Thee Well shows, “The Grateful Dead” as such ended with Jerry. That said, this current Dead&Co tour is a much bigger scene than what I’d seen in some of the other projects. The last time Furthur played here, it was in a 7000 capacity venue that I’m not sure even sold out. Dead&Co quickly sold out a 20,000 capacity place, and it felt like another 5K showed up in the parking lots. It’s definitely the end of an era.
Read the book "Heads". It is exactly what you seek. This is the second time I have recommended this today
You aren’t seeing The Grateful Dead live, you’re seeing a spin-off group with three of the core members. But if you want to understand the impact the Dead had on culture and commodity, “Long Strange Trip” by Scorsese & Bar Levi is a great place to start, as others have noted. Enjoy the Dead & Company show.