In the shadowed recesses of a desert oasis, where the neon lights of Las Vegas flicker like distant stars, Dead and Company brought their grand odyssey to a close on the evening of August 10th, 2024. It was a night that whispered of echoes, of journeys past and present, and of a legacy that refuses to be silenced.

I didn’t plan on going to the Sphere to see Dead and Company (a.k.a. “Dead & Co.”) during their months-long “Dead Forever” residency. But after missing U2 and Phish during the inaugural year of the high-tech Las Vegas arena, it was high time I went to check out the uber-visual experience. It doesn’t hurt that Dead & Co.

“I considered myself a folksinger, and then we all became bluegrass musicians. When it turned rock and roll, I turned to my typewriter.” - Robert Hunter, The Golden Road, 1984

Under a sky lit by a "Buck" Supermoon and the shimmer of dancing drones, Dead and Company wrapped up their final tour performance at Folsom Field in Boulder. A beloved stop on their summer tours since 2016, Boulder, a Deadhead haven for almost six decades, witnessed an unforgettable show.

A day and a night, full of unforgettable moments and classic tunes, came to life at the hallowed ground of Folsom Field. On July 1st, 2023, Dead and Company unfurled their cosmic tapestry for the first of three nights in a location steeped in a deep and abiding love for the Grateful Dead. This trio of shows not only marks the band's last performances at the venue but is also the final whistle-stop on their grand farewell tour.

Dead & Company's Final Tour rolled on to Queens, NY for a two-night stand at Citi Field, home of the NY Mets. Night one in the Big Apple kicked off on June 21, 2023, at this MLB stadium, with a capacity of around 41,000 fans. The band brought two vibrant sets that included a sit-in by drummer Joe Russo, from Joe Russo's Almost Dead.

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.

Dead and Company made their final run at Wrigley Field absolutely memorable for all who were in attendance. Since they began their farewell run at JazzFest, expectations have been through the roof at each and every stop so far. Wrigley was no different. They have been putting on epic shows at the Friendly Confines for years. And this year’s run was no different.

Dead & Company kicked off their Final Tour Saturday with a headlining single set at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Lightning and torrential rains delayed the festivities, with gates opening over an hour past the 11:00 am schedule, causing some of the earlier slated bands to be scrapped. The rain held off for most of Dead & Co’s electric-only set. The sun even managed to make a late-set appearance.

Acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician Joy Oladokun will join John Mayer’s first-ever solo acoustic arena tour this spring serving as direct support at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, Chicago’s United Center, St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center and Denver’s Ball Arena among others.