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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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I've seen the dead a bunch and still see dead and company (which I do not consider a tribute band) every chance I get as I can't get enough. DSO is by far the best dead tribute band out there. If you like the dead you'll love DSO.
From the keyboard player to the bass player this band has it all. Backed up by the two great drummers it only made the two guitar players sound perfect. I will see this band every time it comes into the area. Please come back again and again..
It had been a while since my last DSO concert. Not because I had lose interest, but we were never in the same place at the same time. Saturday's show at the The Wiltern in LA made me realize that I won't be waiting as long to see them again. Not exactly which show it was but they opened with Sugar Magnolia. That's just about all you need to know. Great show. Great venue. Great energy. Keep it up...see you soon.
Although I was disappointed that they didn't recreate an actual concert (they didn't the previous night in Del Mar either, it was still outstanding musicianship. A great selection of music. The crowd was very raucous. I don't know whether it was the band's equipment or The Wiltern's house equipment but it was a tremendous sounding show
The event venue and staff were wonderful. They were very helpful in accommodating our acessability issues and throughout the evening every service touchpoint was customer driven. We will definitely revisit The Sound. Off the charts. Dark Star Orchestra played for 4 hours. Wow. One of the best, if not the best "cover band"on the planet.
We didn’t enjoy the music. It seemed boring and mundane. The venue was a strange setup. If you could find a seat, it might be better. Otherwise, you can’t see the band well and there’s not much room to dance.
Old and new members of the extended Grateful Dead tribe gathered to dance, soak up vibes, connect with old friends, and make new friends with Dark Star Orchestra at The Sound. At first I was confused when it became clear the set list could not possibly be one GD ever played. But they cleared up the mystery at the end when they explained it was more of a fantasy show, with several JGB songs. The playing was energetic, and the crowd grooved and moved all night. It was a generous show, with a fun and unexpected "White Rabbit"during the encore. Everybody left the venue buzzing from all the good vibes. I appreciated the option to sit in the ADA section while recovering from surgery.
These guys played their hearts out for 4 hours, doing a wide-ranging set of songs from the obscure covers only ever played once by the dead to the most popular covers. If you love the grateful dead, you will really enjoy this band.
Good show for the DSO but the venue was very, very crowded for The Sound and the way the venue is set up, it is not really able to accommodate as many people as were in attendance. First, the promenade around the general admission area is poorly lit and difficult to see where you are going. Secondly the general admission area had 1 entrance that I saw and the staff at the venue was strangely difficult to allow people to gain access to the general admission area. One entrance and the area was super crowded and at the entrance. A second entrance would have made it easier to get in and out of. Like the venue when it isn't super crowded. The capacity was much too high for that venue. Music was good, but the venue made the experience little underwhelming.
First time seeing DSO live - band is very tight; enthusiastic and fully dedicated to memorializing the Grateful Dead’s legacy. 24 songs were on that night’s playlist. Having seen the Grateful Dead live almost 50 years ago we were taken back in time. Truly enjoyed our experience. Thank you!
It’s always a great time with Dark Star Orchestra!! They sound great and the crowd is so much fun!
Darkstar amazing the venue Capitol Theater very cool
Show was from January of 1970. My favorite Dead era is 70-72 so this was right up my alley. Solid mix of blues, jams, and a little Motown. Loved it.
DSO did not disappoint as they recreated a Dead concert from 1970. Perfectly. Great venue. Would highly recommend. Go and enjoy if ever given the chance.
Love seeing DSO anywhere but so great to see them at the Cap. They are so solid. Love the friendship all around. Peace Love Hope…Pass it on
from start to finish , the venue, the crowd, especially the band all exceeded expectations
Quite possibly the best DSO show I've ever seen and I've seen a lot!
Love the Capital Theatre and love DSO.. Couldnt be better!
Great venue with smoking area outside! Popcorn and Squirt were a dream come true! General Admission has NO chairs (great for the dancing) and nowhere to rest (not so great after hours of dancing!). I would return!
Great show, Althea was smokin 🔥 Cap has great sound but destroy your pocket for drinks. No need to clobbered the deadheads that hard
