The air crackled with anticipation. The familiar strains of tuning guitars bounced through the amphitheater. Then, the first notes of “Shakedown Street” erupted, sending a wave of ecstatic energy through the crowd. This wasn’t just another concert; it was a Dead and Company experience, and at its heart lay the carefully considered, yet utterly unpredictable, Dead and Company setlist.
Dead and Company, featuring Grateful Dead stalwarts Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann alongside John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, and Jeff Chimenti, has successfully carried the torch of the Grateful Dead for a new generation of fans. They’ve become more than just a legacy act; they’ve become a vibrant musical force in their own right. The key to their enduring appeal lies not only in the iconic songbook they inherited, but also in their commitment to improvisation, their deep respect for the Deadhead community, and, most importantly, their ever-evolving Dead and Company setlist.
A Dead and Company setlist is more than just a list of songs; it’s a carefully curated journey. It’s a reflection of the band’s improvisational spirit, a nod to the vast and devoted Deadhead community, and an ongoing exploration of the timeless Grateful Dead songbook. This article will delve into the elements that make up a Dead and Company setlist, exploring its structure, highlighting common songs and themes, analyzing the improvisational jams, and providing resources for fans to track and discuss the music. We’ll unravel what makes each show unique and why understanding the Dead and Company setlist is key to fully appreciating the band’s magic.
Understanding the Setlist Blueprint
The foundation of any Dead and Company performance is the two-set format, a tradition passed down directly from the Grateful Dead. This structure allows the band to take the audience on a multifaceted musical adventure. Each set is designed to build in energy, leading to powerful crescendos and ultimately delivering a satisfying musical experience. Think of it like climbing a mountain, with moments of calm reflection interspersed with bursts of adrenaline-pumping exhilaration.
Central to the Dead and Company setlist is the role of jamming. These aren’t simply renditions of familiar tunes; they’re living, breathing entities that evolve in real time. Improvisation is the lifeblood of the band, and it’s what makes each show a unique and unrepeatable event. The band might venture down a bluesy path one night, explore psychedelic soundscapes the next, or even weave in teases of other songs within their sprawling improvisations.
Certain elements consistently appear within the Dead and Company setlist. The opening song, for example, is crucial for setting the tone. Often, the band chooses an upbeat and energetic number to immediately capture the audience’s attention and signal the start of the journey. Throughout the set, you’ll likely hear beloved songs that are staples of the Grateful Dead repertoire and fan favorites. These provide a familiar grounding for the improvisational explorations that follow.
The second half of the second set often features the legendary “Drums” and “Space” segment. This is where the percussionists, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, take center stage, creating a hypnotic and often otherworldly soundscape. It’s a purely improvisational interlude that allows the band to explore sonic textures and rhythms without any preconceived notions. The set closer is another key element. It is typically a high-energy number designed to leave the audience buzzing with excitement as they head into the set break. Finally, the encore offers a final moment of connection, often with a particularly poignant or crowd-pleasing song.
A Trip Through Familiar Harmonies and Rhythms
The Dead and Company setlist is a blend of the familiar and the unexpected. While they draw heavily from the Grateful Dead’s extensive catalog, they also infuse their own interpretations and arrangements into the music. Songs like “Scarlet Begonias,” “Fire on the Mountain,” “China Cat Sunflower,” “I Know You Rider,” “Truckin’,” “Franklin’s Tower,” “Ripple,” and “Brokedown Palace” are frequent visitors to the Dead and Company setlist. These are not just songs; they’re anthems, carrying decades of history and shared experiences for the Deadhead community.
It’s fascinating to observe how Dead and Company puts their own stamp on these classic songs. John Mayer’s guitar solos bring a fresh energy to the music, while Oteil Burbridge’s unique basslines add new layers of depth and complexity. Even within the traditional framework of the songs, the band finds ways to innovate and explore.
Occasionally, the band will incorporate cover songs into their Dead and Company setlist. These might include songs by Bob Dylan, blues standards, or even unexpected genre-bending choices. These covers showcase the band’s versatility and willingness to experiment, while also paying tribute to the musical influences that shaped their own sound.
Certain songs often appear together in the Dead and Company setlist, creating thematic connections and adding another layer of meaning to the performance. The pairing of “Help on the Way,” “Slipknot!,” and “Franklin’s Tower” is a classic example, showcasing the band’s intricate instrumental interplay and their ability to seamlessly transition between different musical moods.
Unlocking the Secrets of the Jams
As previously mentioned, improvisation is the cornerstone of the Dead and Company experience. The jams aren’t just fillers between songs; they are the heart and soul of the performance. It’s within these improvisational sections that the band truly connects with each other and with the audience, creating a shared experience of musical exploration.
Dead and Company employs a variety of jamming styles. They might engage in melodic jamming, where they build upon the song’s main themes and create soaring instrumental passages. Other times, they might delve into more experimental territory, exploring dissonant sounds, unconventional rhythms, and unexpected sonic textures. Blues-based jamming is also a common element, showcasing the band’s roots in the blues tradition.
It’s difficult to pinpoint specific “best” jam moments, as each performance is unique and subjective. However, there are countless examples of particularly inspired jam sections from past shows. These moments often become legendary within the Deadhead community, passed down through word of mouth and shared on online forums. A great example might be a lengthy “Eyes of the World” jam from a summer tour show, or a surprising segue during a show in the fall.
“Drums” and “Space” deserve special attention as purely improvisational segments. During these interludes, the percussionists and other band members are free to explore sonic landscapes without any constraints. The result is often a mesmerizing and unpredictable journey into the depths of sound.
Where to Discover the Dead and Company Setlist
The Dead and Company setlist is a constantly evolving document, a record of each performance and a source of fascination for fans. Thankfully, there are many reliable resources available for those who want to track and analyze the band’s musical choices.
The official Dead and Company website and social media channels often provide setlist information, sometimes in real-time during the show. However, the most comprehensive sources are often fan-run websites and online communities. Websites like Setlist.fm are invaluable resources, providing detailed setlists for countless Dead and Company shows. Online forums and Reddit communities dedicated to the band also offer a wealth of information and discussion.
Sites like archive.org offer a treasure trove of live music recordings, including many Dead and Company shows. These recordings allow fans to relive the experience and analyze the setlist in detail, picking apart the jams and identifying their favorite moments.
A Shared Symphony: The Community Aspect
The Dead and Company setlist is more than just a list of songs; it’s a conversation starter. It fuels discussion and anticipation within the Deadhead community, both online and in person.
Fans often enjoy speculating about future setlists, predicting which songs the band will play and how they will arrange them. This speculation adds to the excitement surrounding each show and creates a sense of shared anticipation.
The sharing of setlists and concert experiences is a fundamental part of the Deadhead culture. Fans often post setlists online, share photos and videos from the show, and recount their favorite moments. This creates a sense of community and allows fans to connect with each other over their shared love of the music.
The Enduring Magic of the Setlist
The Dead and Company setlist embodies the band’s spirit, their dedication to improvisation, and their deep connection to the Deadhead community. It’s a living document that reflects the ongoing evolution of the Grateful Dead songbook. Every Dead and Company show is a unique experience, thanks in large part to the unpredictable and ever-changing setlist.
To truly appreciate the magic of Dead and Company setlists, one must experience the band live. The energy of the crowd, the improvisational prowess of the musicians, and the shared sense of community all contribute to an unforgettable experience.
So, explore past Dead and Company setlists, share your favorite moments, and speculate on what the band will play at their next show. Because in the world of Dead and Company, the music never stops, and the setlist is always waiting to be discovered. The magic of the Dead and Company setlist continues to draw audiences in with its promise of the unknown and the comfortable familiarity of the music they love. Each new tour, each new show, brings the opportunity for more magic, more memories, and more of the music that binds the Deadhead community together. It’s a symphony that’s never truly finished, a constantly evolving masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate.
