Dead & Company present their Bob Dylan cover to kick off the fifth weekend at Sphere (videos)

It seems almost pointless to write about a first experience at Bullet in Las Vegas. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, then two sentences Dead & Company in front of a wall of images (and sounds) is at least worth enough to make it known.

Almost four hours Bob Weir, John Mayer, Mickey Hart, Hotel Burbridge, Jeff ChimentiAnd Jay Lane did what they have been doing most Thursdays since mid-May. That is, they put on a show that would be for eternity. This special setlist was practically a “best of” for the Gratefully dead– which is what you would expect from a decent stay in Las Vegas.

The evening began with “Alabama Getaway” against a backdrop of a band projected onto scaffolding. The scaffolding then parted to reveal the Dead’s old home at 710 Ashbury Street while the band played “Truckin'” in the first set. During “Ramble On Rose” they led the audience through a tunnel into another world, during “Mr. Charlie” they immersed the house in a lava lamp and then took them to a rainforest with “Jack Straw”.

For those looking for a “cowboy show,” the Dead offered fan service with spaghetti western images that Johnny Cash‘s “Big River”. To close the first set, they rocked out to “Althea” in the middle of a room full of band memorabilia.

After a short break, Dead & Company returned to bust some more heads, starting with another tunnel ride, this time heading to “St. Stephen.” The dome itself turned into a bed of “Scarlet Begonias” before falling away to reveal a colorful landscape for “Franklin’s Tower.” The (virtual) curtain fell on the traditional performance of Dead Traffic‘s “Dear Mr. Fantasy”, with an excerpt from The Beatles“Hey Jude” was added at the end. “Drums” and “Space” featured Mickey jamming on his instrument, surrounded by his own psychedelic art.

The entire cast returned for a first performance of Bob Dylan‘s “I’ll Remember You,” a surprising new choice for Bobby’s traditional post-“Space” ballad. Although the Grateful Dead covered the song from Dylan’s 1985 Empire Burlesque Album with The HeartbreakersThis was a fitting addition to the songbook of Dead & Company, as Bob Dylan had been Empire Burlesque for a joint stadium tour in the summer. Thursday’s cover evoked a reverent silence in the packed Sphere, which was, however, interrupted by a trip to the “Fire on the Mountain”.

Related: Dead & Company Sphere Shakedown moves indoors, reveals lineup for free after-parties

For “Brown-Eyed Women,” the high-resolution dome followed the Grateful Dead’s path from the Fillmore in San Francisco, to New York’s Radio City Music Hall And Madison Square GardenThe band then parachuted back to Haight Ashbury, playing “Black Muddy River” before closing the night with “Not Fade Away” while a gallery of old Grateful Dead photos played in the background.

If none of this makes sense, then go see Dead & Company at the Sphere for yourself. If you noticed this, then go see Dead & Company at the Sphere. Either way, go see Dead & Company at the Sphere.

And if you can’t make it to Vegas before the end of her residency in August, plan to visit the Sphere sometime – perhaps for Eagle‘ upcoming stay in September and October.

The sheer broadening of horizons that comes with seeing what is not only possible in live music, but happens (almost) every night, makes even a description of a million words seem pointless.

Check out videos of Dead & Company at the Sphere on Thursday. The band returns to the Sphere for two more shows tonight, June 14, and Saturday. A full list of upcoming dates can be found here.

Fans who want to see Dead & Company at the Sphere can find plenty of face value tickets for the entire run via CashorTrade. By choosing CashorTrade over other sites, you are supporting real fans and not brokers trying to get rid of stocks. Unlike other platforms, you may even come across a miracle. Browse what’s available on the site here.

Once you have enjoyed the magic of Dead & Co at Sphere, make your way to The Golden Road Festival and extend the magic with some of your favorite artists and special guests. This intimate boutique event for 200 people offers an all-inclusive experience where every detail is thought of… even complimentary on-stage massages! Experience unforgettable moments and memories that will last a lifetime at the Golden Road Festival. Find tickets here.

Dead & Company – “Alabama Getaway” – 13.06.24

(Video: nowiknowuryder)

Setlist: Dead & Company | Sphere | Las Vegas, NV | 13.06.24

Set One: Alabama Getaway, Truckin’, Ramble On Rose, Mr. Charlie, Jack Straw, Big River (Johnny Cash), Althea
Second set: St. Stephen > Scarlet Begonias > Franklin’s Tower > Dear Mr. Fantasy (Traffic) > Hey Jude (The Beatles) (1) > drums > Space > I’ll Remember You (Bob Dylan) (2) > Fire on the Mountain, Brown-Eyed Women, Black Muddy River, Not Fade Away (The Crickets)

(1) Coda only
(2) FTP