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About

Dark Star Orchestra on Tour

More than just a tribute band, the seven members of the Dark Star Orchestra are dedicated to the Grateful Dead live experience, best known for playing full setlists picked from their 2,000+ concerts. The Grateful Dead's live show is legendary, a catalog of improvisation traded and celebrated across decades. The Dark Star Orchestra re-creates the Dead's intra-band interplay and pastoral guitar soloing. Remarkably devoted and true to the source material, DSO tailors their arrangements, gear and tempos to the era of the evening. Some nights find the DSO creating original setlists, playing sets from the Jerry Garcia Band or even jamming with members of the Dead themselves.

Dark Star Orchestra in Concert

Formed in Chicago in 1997, Dark Star Orchestra provides generations of fans with the chance to experience entire Grateful Dead sets, song by song. Named after "Dark Star," a part of the Dead's set known for exploratory jams, DSO rose to national prominence in 1998 when Mike Gordon and John Fishman of Phish joined them for a performance of the Dead's 1983 Halloween show. DSO promptly became a touring sensation: At 2,800 shows and counting, DSO have played more shows than the Grateful Dead themselves. They ultimately enlisted keyboardist Rob Barraco of Phil Lesh and Friends, the Other Ones and the 2003 touring version of the Dead. The DSO have played Bonnaroo and Milwaukee's SummerFest, and they've been hosting their own annual fests for years - the Dark Star Jubilee in Ohio and the Jam in the Sand in Jamaica. Perhaps the most important honor for DSO, though, is enlisting actual members of the Grateful Dead, having performed on stage accompanied by Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Donna Jean Godchaux, Vince Welnick and Tom Constanten. A 2018 show even found guitarist Jeff Mattson playing Jerry Garcia's custom-made guitar, "Wolf," which the Dead founder used for two decades.

Setlists

  1. Set 1:

    1. 1.Ramble On Rose (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 2.Black-Throated Wind (Bob Weir cover)
    3. 3.Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo (Grateful Dead cover)
    4. 4.Beat It on Down the Line (Jesse Fuller cover)
    5. 5.Row Jimmy (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 6.Jack Straw (Grateful Dead cover)
    7. 7.Let It Rock (Chuck Berry cover)
    8. 8.Cumberland Blues (Grateful Dead cover)
    9. 9.El Paso (Marty Robbins cover)
    10. 10.To Lay Me Down (Jerry Garcia cover)
    11. 11.Weather Report Suite (Grateful Dead cover)
    12. 12.China Doll (Grateful Dead cover)
  2. Set 2:

    1. 13.Ship of Fools (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 14.Big River (Johnny Cash cover)
    3. 15.Black Peter (Grateful Dead cover)
    4. 16.Around and Around (Chuck Berry cover)
    5. 17.Dark Star Jam (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 18.Spanish Jam (Grateful Dead cover)
    7. 19.U.S. Blues (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 20.Uncle John's Band (Grateful Dead cover)
    9. 21.One More Saturday Night (Bob Weir cover)
  3. Encore

    1. 22.Casey Jones (Grateful Dead cover)
  1. Set 1:

    1. 1.Sugaree (Jerry Garcia cover)
    2. 2.Run for the Roses (Jerry Garcia cover)
    3. 3.Box of Rain (Grateful Dead cover)
    4. 4.Next Time You See Me (Junior Parker cover)
    5. 5.Mission in the Rain (Jerry Garcia cover)
    6. 6.I'll Be With Thee ([traditional] cover)
    7. 7.That's What Love Will Make You Do (Little Milton cover)
    8. 8.From the Heart of Me (Grateful Dead cover)
    9. 9.Midnight Moonlight (Old & In the Way cover)
    10. 10.Like a Road Leading Home (Albert King cover)
    11. 11.Deal (Jerry Garcia cover)
  2. Set 2:

    1. 12.The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff cover)
    2. 13.The Strange Man (Dorothy Love Coates cover)
    3. 14.They Love Each Other (Jerry Garcia cover)
    4. 15.Easy Wind (Grateful Dead cover)
    5. 16.Lonesome and a Long Way From Home (Delaney & Bonnie cover)
    6. 17.Drums > (Grateful Dead cover)
    7. 18.Space > (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 19.The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Traffic cover)
    9. 20.Love the One You're With (Stephen Stills cover)
    10. 21.Tangled Up in Blue (Bob Dylan cover)
  3. Encore

    1. 22.Ripple (Grateful Dead cover)
  1. Set 1:

    1. 1.Alabama Getaway > (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 2.Promised Land (Chuck Berry cover)
    3. 3.They Love Each Other > (Jerry Garcia cover)
    4. 4.El Paso (Marty Robbins cover)
    5. 5.Tennessee Jed (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 6.Cassidy (Bob Weir cover)
    7. 7.Althea > (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 8.Looks Like Rain (Bob Weir cover)
    9. 9.Far From Me (Grateful Dead cover)
    10. 10.The Music Never Stopped (Grateful Dead cover)
  2. Set 2:

    1. 11.China Cat Sunflower > (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 12.I Know You Rider > ([traditional] cover)
    3. 13.C.C. Rider (Elvis Presley cover)
    4. 14.Peggy-O ([traditional] cover)
    5. 15.Lost Sailor > (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 16.Saint of Circumstance > (Grateful Dead cover)
    7. 17.Drums > (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 18.Space > (Grateful Dead cover)
    9. 19.Wharf Rat > (Grateful Dead cover)
    10. 20.I Need a Miracle > (Grateful Dead cover)
    11. 21.Bertha > (Grateful Dead cover)
    12. 22.Good Lovin' (The Olympics cover)
  3. Encore

    1. 23.U.S. Blues (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 24.Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Sly & the Family Stone cover)
    1. 1.Day Tripper (The Beatles cover)
    2. 2.West L.A. Fadeaway (Grateful Dead cover)
    3. 3.Beat It on Down the Line (Jesse Fuller cover)
    4. 4.Loose Lucy (Grateful Dead cover)
    5. 5.My Brother Esau (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 6.Keep On Growing (Derek and the Dominos cover)
    7. 7.Candyman (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 8.Passenger (Grateful Dead cover)
    9. 9.The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff cover)
    10. 10.Greatest Story Ever Told (Bob Weir cover)
  1. Set 2:

    1. 11.Man Smart, Woman Smarter (King Radio cover)
    2. 12.Mr. Charlie (Grateful Dead cover)
    3. 13.He's Gone (Grateful Dead cover)
    4. 14.New Speedway Boogie (Grateful Dead cover)
    5. 15.Drums > (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 16.Space > (Grateful Dead cover)
    7. 17.Unbroken Chain (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 18.Going Down the Road Feeling Bad ([traditional] cover)
    9. 19.I'll Take a Melody (Frankie Miller cover)
    10. 20.The Golden Road (to Unlimited Devotion) (Grateful Dead cover)
  2. Encore

    1. 21.Volunteers (Jefferson Airplane cover)
    1. 1.China Cat Sunflower (Grateful Dead cover)
    2. 2.I Know You Rider ([traditional] cover)
    3. 3.Greatest Story Ever Told (Bob Weir cover)
    4. 4.Piece of My Heart (Erma Franklin cover)
    5. 5.Box of Rain (Grateful Dead cover)
    6. 6.Bird Song (Jerry Garcia cover)
    7. 7.Feel Like a Stranger (Grateful Dead cover)
    8. 8.Help on the Way (Grateful Dead cover)
    9. 9.Slipknot! (Grateful Dead cover)
    10. 10.Franklin's Tower (Grateful Dead cover)
    11. 11.Estimated Prophet (Grateful Dead cover)
    12. 12.Eyes of the World (Grateful Dead cover)
    13. 13.Going Down the Road Feeling Bad ([traditional] cover)
  1. Encore

    1. 14.Woodstock (Joni Mitchell cover)

Reviews

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 1377 reviews
  • Another Good One

    by Deadfan55 on 11/24/25The Wellmont Theater - MontclairRating: 4 out of 5

    Always a fun time seeing DSO. Strong performance, great sound. They really caprure the spirit and nuance of THD. I’ll be back

  • Another great show.

    by Stacey on 11/23/25The Wellmont Theater - MontclairRating: 5 out of 5

    Another great show -DSO rocks as usual - looking forward to the next one 😍✌️

  • Ok, not a Dead Show

    by Bumper on 11/23/25The Wellmont Theater - MontclairRating: 3 out of 5

    Instead of picking a dead show to recreate, dark star orchestra selected their own lineup. Unfortunately, many of the songs were those you would most likely skip over on an album if you are not a pop dead fan of the eighties. Though I regret the death of Donna, the song chosen for her tribute was one of my least favorite the Dead ever recorded. All said, the musicians are fantastic. I'd see them again only if they revert to plying awesome Dead sets.

  • Great Show

    by swede718 on 11/19/25Orpheum Theatre presented by Citizens - BostonRating: 5 out of 5

    I have seen DSO at least 10 times. I have seen The Greatful Dead at least 50 times with Jerry Garcia. DSO is the Best version of the Grateful Dead since Jerry Died. Think about it who's left in the Grateful Dead.... Only Bobby I think - aren't we seeing Bobbies version of the Grateful Dead. What can I say.... If you Really want a Grateful Dead experience, go Experience DSO , They Usually play an Entire show from the Grateful Dead Live Show Catalogue. Who knows if your lucky like me they may play a show you have been to. I try to see them at least twice a year. This Band does not Disappoint

  • A great Grateful Dead experience!

    by Jeff on 11/18/25The Palace Theatre Albany - AlbanyRating: 4 out of 5

    Had a wonderful time hearing timeless classics from The Grateful Dead in a perfect venue!

  • BEST show ever

    by RM on 11/17/25Orpheum Theatre presented by Citizens - BostonRating: 5 out of 5

    The DSO show was simply incredible. Cannot say enough about how wonderful it was.

  • Best show ever!

    by Joe Ciab on 11/17/25Orpheum Theatre presented by Citizens - BostonRating: 5 out of 5

    Seen them many times. This was best show yet. Energy level was thru the roof. Everyone grooving and on their feet entire show. 2 great sets !

  • Madison 9/6/2025

    by Bill Mac on 9/9/25The Sylvee - MadisonRating: 5 out of 5

    Another great show by the best GD cover folks. It was truly a pleasure to experience the long 12/31/77 Winterland show, which included 4 additional songs. The band was on fire.

  • These guys rock!

    by Hezwee on 9/9/25The Sylvee - MadisonRating: 5 out of 5

    DSO continues to be a close to the real deal that you could get. It's much rather see them than Dead and Co. So fun to try and guess the show with others around you.

  • This was a fun night, they really know how to present music

    by Gunner on 9/9/25The Sylvee - MadisonRating: 5 out of 5

    Danced all night, guy on the sound board did a great job

  • Mostly great

    by Scott on 8/21/25The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park - ColumbiaRating: 4 out of 5

    I really enjoyed the concert, but thought that the drum solo portion dragged on too long and got somewhat boring.

  • Simply Outstanding!

    by August West on 8/20/25The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park - ColumbiaRating: 5 out of 5

    I have been going to DSO shows for 20 years and this was probably the most fun I have ever had at one. The Crysalis is a really nice venue and it’s not in downtown Baltimore which is where they normally play. The best part was that being outside standing on our blanket, not in a way too crowded bar or venue with assigned seats, we actually had room to dance. It makes a world of difference! And DSO delivered like they always do so even though the humidity was like 180% that night, we couldn’t stop dancing. As always, thank you..for a real good time! And please play The Crysalis every summer!

  • Great Show

    by Mike on 8/20/25The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park - ColumbiaRating: 5 out of 5

    We've seen them multiple times, always tight, always a great vibe. In many ways better than D & Co. now.

  • Dark Star

    by Bill on 8/20/25The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park - ColumbiaRating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome show, great venue, lots of dancing. Fun people great music!

  • Great but wrong expectations

    by Clark on 8/19/25The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park - ColumbiaRating: 4 out of 5

    Overall an awesome time. The Chrysalis venue looks better in pictures than up close. The grounds seem a bit rough and the stage itself is super cool but is a bit more industrial that artsy sculpture like the images. The band was a very good tribute band but the name "Dark Star Orchestra"implied a bit of a grander presentation than was presented but again, great tribute. I am handicapped and use a power wheel chair and the staff and accommodations could not have been better, along with the crowd which were Dead Friendly as always.

  • Average

    by Anders on 8/19/25The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park - ColumbiaRating: 3 out of 5

    I have seen darkstar Orchestra about 15 times. I know they have played in other outdoor pavilions. You should have played this concert in the main Merriweather Post pavilion and not the chrysalis in the grass.

  • The whole experience from venue to artists!

    by Awesome on 8/19/25The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park - ColumbiaRating: 5 out of 5

    This was an awesome event all around for the whole 3 days. Dead and Co with their openers were amazing. Each night the opening acts also played with Dead and Co along with other surprises. The jam sessions rocked! Golden Gate venue was well run-lots of food and beverage options. Lots of port a potty’s although at the end as expected getting nasty and no toilet paper and water to wash up. With so many people challenging on getting out and transportation but managed without too much angst! Would do it again!

  • Great sound depending on where you were.

    by Mark on 8/19/25The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park - ColumbiaRating: 5 out of 5

    We got there soon after the doors opened. The prime "chair"spots were already taken. It fills up quick. Didn't matter because I wanted to be in front of the board. I don't know if every band sounds this good, but the music was crisp and clean with all instruments clearly heard in the mix. Even off to my right, we had good stereo separation. Drums were awesome. I did head to the back to check it out and the sound quality did suffer pretty quickly after you got into the grove. There was basically only one way in/out which was annoying. They had water stations (warm) and I had to pay the full price of a soda to get some ice 😳 Capitalism at its best. We had a great time and will be looking to return

  • Awesome. Amazing venue.

    by MGKJr on 8/19/25The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park - ColumbiaRating: 5 out of 5

    Great show great vibe. Went with my kids and they got to experience DSO, the best GD cover band.

  • Amazing show at The Chrysalis stage

    by Dark Star Orchestra on 8/19/25The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park - ColumbiaRating: 5 out of 5

    What a beautiful night and great show at Merriweather Park.