The stars must have been perfectly aligned over Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on the evening of June 18, 2023. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Grateful Dead's maiden show at the very same venue, Dead & Company staged a performance that was not only a tribute to the music and legacy of the Grateful Dead but a testament to the enduring resonance of the band's music and culture.
The show was opened with a vivacious rendition of "Hell in a Bucket." Fittingly, considering the symbolic nature of the date, the band seemed to embrace the devil-may-care attitude of the song, musically foreshadowing the rest of the night.
The set then gracefully meandered into "Sugaree," a classic Garcia/Hunter composition that Mayer lent his distinctive voice to. His rendition was steeped in the signature bittersweet melancholy that only this band, with its unique synergy and deep understanding of the Dead's ethos, could articulate so exquisitely.. Following closely, "Mississippi Half Step" drifted over the crowd like a southern zephyr, touching on both the band's roots and their interpretive prowess.
The nostalgic undertones of the first set were capped by a splendidly executed "Mr. Charlie," "Friend of the Devil," and a seamlessly intertwined "Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance" duo. "Big Railroad Blues" finished off the first set with a bang, reflecting both the band's journey and the crowd's unanimous vibe.
As the second act unfurled, a thunderous "Samson & Delilah" stormed into existence, its resonating power sparking an energy that proved viral in its potency. The ensemble then elegantly transitioned into "Playing in the Band," a beautiful appetizer for the impending musical feast. This served as the perfect prologue to the impending triptych of brilliance - "Help On The Way," "Slipknot," and "Franklin's Tower."
John Mayer, with his distinctive blend of blues-infused virtuosity and sensitive phrasing, took the helm for "Help On The Way" and "Franklin's Tower." His soulful vocals and sublime guitar artistry breathed fresh life into these revered classics. These songs were not merely performed; they were reimagined, and delivered with a degree of synchronicity and innovation that is a testament to the band's shared talent and progressive vision. Each note, each lyric, was a celebration of the past, present, and endless possibilities of what this music can be.
The emblematic "Drums/Space" interlude, an iconic piece of the Grateful Dead experience, cascaded through the venue, serving as both an aural palate cleanser and a sonic portal to the more arcane aspects of the Dead's philosophy. This immersive soundscape was more than mere music; it was an exploration into the uncharted territories of sound and rhythm, a metaphysical journey that blurred the boundaries between the tangible and the ethereal. A testament to the Dead's visionary artistry, it underscored their unique ability to merge the primal pulse of percussion with the infinity of cosmic reverberations, melding simplicity with profundity in an auditory tapestry that defies convention.
"Death Don't Have No Mercy" followed, showing the band's willingness to confront the darker side of existence while simultaneously offering the comfort of music and camaraderie. "Throwing Stones" and "Sugar Magnolia" completed the set - the former a nod to the political consciousness that has long permeated Dead lyrics, and the latter a joyous, vibrant finale.
For the encore, the band chose a delightful surprise: a suitably surreal and playful "Werewolves of London," dovetailing into a "Playing in the Band" reprise that brought the show full circle.
Forty years to the day from the Grateful Dead’s first appearance at the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center, Dead & Company rekindled the flame of this storied legacy with a bewitching performance that teetered between the nostalgic and the experimental. The ghosts of the past were met with a future-forward spirit, showcasing an ensemble at the height of their game.
