The inaugural Days Between Festival, celebrating the legacy of late-Grateful Dead patriarch Jerry Garcia and the musical score he left embedded in our soul, was upbeat and a resounding success in northern Mendocino County, California on August 6 and 7, even amidst the rage of north-state wildfires and Covid-19 pandemic 2.0. Proof of vaccination or a negative, very-recent Covid test were required for entry.

According to Full Moonalice legend, social distancing and face masks are the new normal. They may be temporary, but the duration of that temporary is unknown.

According to Full Moonalice legend, these are scary times. The pandemic has killed more than 100,000 people. More than 40 million people have filed for unemployment insurance. Thousands are in the streets every night protesting police brutality and discriminatory practices.  Meanwhile, the man in the White House makes it all worse.

Those familiar with the phenomenal exploratory bands Phil Lesh & Friends, Moonalice, and David Nelson Band are likely familiar with guitar virtuoso Barry Sless. His Pedal Steel guitar has transformed beloved Grateful Dead classics such as “Box of Rain,” “Peggy O,” “Pride of Cucamonga,” and “Cumberland Blues” into full-fledged country-rock bliss that Jerry Garcia is no doubt smiling down on.

Since 2007 Moonalice has been doing things their way...creating original art by well-known artists, graciously given to every attendee at each show, broadcasting live in HD every night they are on the road, immediately archiving each set for download and of course including everyone along the way as part of the Moonalice experience. 

The 12th incarnation of the Petaluma Music Festival, proceeds of which are allocated to local public school’s music programs, packed a potent punch on August 3. This year’s all-Bay-Area-band fest’s pleasing musical patchwork, which fueled lively dancing, swaying and foot-tapping, was led by prominent rock ‘n’ jam bands ALO, David Nelson Band, The Mother Hips, Hot Buttered Rum, Blame Sally, New Monsoon, and Royal Jelly Live.

Something really remarkable happened at the Fare Thee Well shows in 2015.  Instead of being a goodbye, it was a re-ignition, a passing of the torch in some ways.  Although Jerry was always quick to point out that it was Dead Heads who created themselves, the phenomenon of Dead Head-ism was focused on the band for the first 30 years.  And it was fairly fractured for the next twenty, with some liking some iterations, and others, not.  And the musicians aren’t done, whether it’s Dead & Co. or Phil and Bobby’s recent duo, or the future outings of Billy and Mickey.

While many use music as a vessel for escaping the current and indulging in the nostalgia of blissful memories past, it can also serve as a powerful tool for inspiring social change. Rock’n’Roll concerts have always been a gathering place that additionally promoted social justice, educated about changes in our environment, and offered information on important political issues. While some bands kept the music separate from their personal views and ethics, the rock concert has always broadly been a place to promote social awareness.