Another Good One
by Deadfan55 on 11/24/25The Wellmont Theater - MontclairRating: 4 out of 5Always a fun time seeing DSO. Strong performance, great sound. They really caprure the spirit and nuance of THD. I’ll be back

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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.
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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 -DSO rocks as usual - looking forward to the next one 😍✌️
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.
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
Had a wonderful time hearing timeless classics from The Grateful Dead in a perfect venue!
The DSO show was simply incredible. Cannot say enough about how wonderful it was.
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 !
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.
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.
Danced all night, guy on the sound board did a great job
I really enjoyed the concert, but thought that the drum solo portion dragged on too long and got somewhat boring.
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!
We've seen them multiple times, always tight, always a great vibe. In many ways better than D & Co. now.
Awesome show, great venue, lots of dancing. Fun people great music!
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.
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.
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!
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
Great show great vibe. Went with my kids and they got to experience DSO, the best GD cover band.
What a beautiful night and great show at Merriweather Park.