TVD Live Shots: Dead & Company at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre, 7/9

Twenty-one years to the date of the Grateful Dead’s final show at Soldier Field in Chicago, Dead & Company—the latest incarnation of the band—took the stage at Alpine Valley Music Theatre.

Spirits were high, as they always are among Deadheads. “Isn’t it great to have the family back together?” one weathered fan screamed as hundreds cheered in agreement. Jerry Garcia might be gone, but his spirit and the spirit of The Dead’s music lives on 51 years later. It’s arguably the most communal band of all time. And the music never stops.

This particular spinoff group consists of three original Grateful Dead members—Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann—as well as longtime collaborators Jeff Chimenti and Oteil Burbridge, and new addition John Mayer. I’ll admit it—when I first learned that John Mayer would be joining original members of The Grateful Dead for a tour, I was skeptical. Many fans were. But it didn’t take long into their first set for me to realize that Mayer is the real deal and an incredible fit for the band. His guitar solos are simply dazzling, and not only pay reverence to the late, great Garcia but also maintain their own individual brilliance. I was truly impressed.

Other highlights from the show included Dead & Company’s tour debut of “Dire Wolf” and Bob Dylan’s “Knocking on Heaven’s Door,” as well as the setlist in general which was heavy on fan favorites (“Ramble on Rose,” “Franklin’s Tower,” etc.). Also, I have to say that with all of the sadness and violence going on in the U.S. today, just to be around a crowd as joyful and peaceful as the Dead faithfuls was a true breath of fresh air. I watched children play, parents dance, friends embrace. It was a beautiful night.