The Grateful Dead has long been one of the most influential and beloved musical acts of the past half century. For more than 50 years, the band has released an eclectic mix of rock, Americana, and folk that has remained enduringly popular. As their influence spread, so did their fan base. In 2015, the surviving members of the Grateful Dead, along with a handful of guests, set out on the Fare Thee Well tour. It was billed as the final tour of the Grateful Dead and was met with rave reviews. But for die-hard fans, the Fare Thee Well tour was only the beginning. Now, the surviving members of the Grateful Dead, as well as a handful of guests, have reunited to form Dead and Company.
In June 2020, Dead and Company took to the stage for the first time, kicking off their summer tour with a two-night stand in New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden. From there, the tour consist of date over the course of the next two months, touching down in cities all across the United States. While the Grateful Dead provided the core of the band’s sound, they also enlisted a handful of special guests to open for them. Here’s a look at just a few of the acts who opened for Dead and Company this summer.
Bob Weir
One of the elder statesmen of the original Grateful Dead line-up, Bob Weir is a rock and roll legend. His unique blend of blues and folk was an integral part of the Grateful Dead’s sound. Weir took the stage to open for Dead & Company for the first time on July 3 in Coney Island, New York. Weir and his band, Wolf Brothers, performed a 45-minute acoustic set to a packed house. Weir’s set included such classic tunes as “Me and My Uncle” and “Friend of the Devil” alongside his more recent solo efforts.
The Avett Brothers
North Carolina’s The Avett Brothers have been touring and making music for over a decade. Their blend of folk, country, and bluegrass has made them one of the most beloved indie bands of the past decade. For their stint opening for Dead & Company, the Avett’s stayed true to their roots and played a selection of old-timey tunes like “I and Love and You” and “Slight Figure of Speech.”
John Mayer
Seven-time Grammy winner John Mayer is no stranger to the music industry. An accomplished singer-songwriter and guitarist in his own right, Mayer has been a fan of the Grateful Dead since he was a teenager. In 2015, he joined keys player Jeff Chimenti and members of the Grateful Dead to form Dead and Company. Since then, Mayer has opened several shows on the summer tour, performing some of his own solo hits as well as a selection of Grateful Dead classics.
Allman Betts Band
The Allman Betts Band is another southern act that has been touring heavily in recent years. Comprised of sons of the original Allman Brothers Band, the Allman Betts Band combines blues and rock for a unique style. They took to the stage to open for Dead & Company in Atlanta and Knoxville this summer. While the Allman Betts Band’s setlist has not been released, one can guess that they mixed in some of their own bluegrass-inspired songs with a few Allman Brothers classics.
Brandi Carlile
Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile is one of the biggest names in rock. She has been nominated for numerous Grammy awards, and her music has been featured in films, television and hit singles. For her tour with Dead & Company, Carlile played a selection of her own tunes as well as some covers and Grateful Dead covers. Carlile’s set was one of the most heavily attended of the entire tour, and her performance was met with rave reviews.
Moon Taxi
Moon Taxi has been a fixture on the Nashville music scene for over a decade. The band mixes their southern roots with elements of pop and rock to create a unique sound. When they opened for Dead & Company in June, they played a selection of their most popular songs as well as some covers. The band’s fan base swelled considerably after their appearance. Moon Taxi’s set was one of the highlights of the summer tour, and fans are eagerly awaiting for them to open for Dead & Company again.
The Infamous Stringdusters
The Infamous Stringdusters have been rocking the bluegrass scene for the past decade. Their unique blend of bluegrass and rock has earned them a loyal fan base. This past summer, they opened for Dead & Company in Phoenix, Arizona, playing a mix of their own songs and Grateful Dead covers. The band has become a staple of the bluegrass scene and their music has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Effect on Music Industry
The reunion of the original Grateful Dead and the formation of Dead & Company has had an undeniable impact on the music industry. The summer tour not only saw an unparalleled amount of excitement and interest from fans, but it also gave rise to a whole new generation of Dead Heads. Furthermore, the tour helped bring a new, modern sound to the classic songs of the original Grateful Dead. With all of the talented guests who opened for them, the tour truly lived up to the legacy of the Grateful Dead.
Financial Impact
The financial impact of the summer tour was significant as well. The tour grossed over $50 million, making it one of the top grossing tours of the year. Furthermore, the tour helped bring new fans and attention to the independent venues that the band performed at and helped to boost the economy in those cities. With such a large financial and cultural impact, it is clear that the summer tour of the Dead & Company was a resounding success.
Social Impact
The summer tour of the Dead & Company had an undeniable social impact as well. The large crowds that they drew helped to create a sense of community among fans, and the idea of the summer tour being “one big party” was embraced by many. Also, the intrinsic message of the music of the Grateful Dead—that of peace and love—was a key component of the tour. By providing a sense of unity and companionship, Dead & Company was able to bring generations of fans together for an experience that will not soon be forgotten.
Environmental Impact
The tour of Dead & Company also had an environmental impact. The tour helped to create a platform to bring awareness to environmental issues, including recycling, energy conservation, and animal rights. In addition, the tour encouraged fans to do their part to help protect the environment. By taking small steps like bringing reusable water bottles and being conscious of energy consumption, fans were able to make an impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Conclusion
The summer tour of Dead & Company was an undeniable success. From their powerful performances and special guests, to the financial and social impact, the tour provided a rejuvenated, modern take on the classic music of the Grateful Dead, creating a new wave of Dead Heads and providing an unforgettable experience for fans of all ages.
