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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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Brought back a lot of great memories. The show was October 27, 1980. Brought my husband and daughter, who never went to a Dead show or even really listened to them, and they enjoyed it, too.
I loved each and every song they played! I loved when they played Wharf Rat- its my favorite song! I had never seen DSO before, I would definatley see them again! It was an awesome show...!
I have seen them perfom twice now at this venue... two years ago and two days ago... they were even better than I remembered... I wish they would come to Atlanta more often than once every other year. They aren't just another cover band, these guys are THE BEST and Mary who sings with them is UNFORGETTABLE... I will definitely be going back next time they are in town!
kick ass show!!! Dark Start Orchestra is a must see!
Sugaree was epic. The second set lagged with Drums and Space, but overall an amazing show.
Wow, these shows leading up to an including New Years Eve were most excellent! DSO rocked and rocked hard! They did two three-setters including one set as Terrapin Nation and one acoustic set. Terrapin Nation was like listening to DSO play radio songs...not one from the dead but still very excellent. The acoutic set was like hearing old dead when Jerry played the acoustic. Of course the rest of their sets rocked. Well at least I know what I'll be doing for New Years Eve at least for the next decade or so. Penn's Peak also is a rocking joint to goto. The only thing I didnt think was too cool was the long lines in the cold. These days, even at the big venues like MSG, they just scan you and go but at Penn's Peak, the line was slow, the night was freezing and a whole load of people got in more than five-six songs late. They should just scan your ticket and let you in.
dso picked an excellent show to play and they played it very well. val air ballroom was cool place to see them too. had a real good time.
These guys are the closest thing you can find to the Dead today...and they even played a smokin' original of their own! Unreal show.
Great show! Great show! Great show! Great show! Great show! Great show!
Excellent show. Really enjoyed the original set list that encompassed a good mix of sound and mood. Great sound quality from the floor - center.
Pretty close to the real deal. Grateful Dead would approve of these performers dedication to getting it right.
Dark Star rocked Penn's Peak! You knew it was going to be a good night when they opened with Hell in a Bucket!
Wow, Wow - WOW!!!! They rocked the roof supports!! If you cant go FURTHER, might as well dance with DSO! The next generation of the Grateful Dead is upon us, great to see the younger DeadHeads flocking to see these guys, and DSO doesn't disappoint! Whoa !!
"DSO" is real, live, gifted, dedicated musicians with the technical expertise to get it right, note for note; voices that can sing multi part harmonies without auto tune or any other gimmicks- and best of all they show off these skills by making the entire concert feel like one big happy party you just can't wait to join! The El Rey was the perfect venue for this band- it's cozy enough to feel like a big family reunion and big enough dance floor for everyone to dance to the music, which is just what happened- the place was a sea of smiles and motion. My husband, the jazz snob, who always made fun of anything remotely related to the Grateful Dead, was impressed by their abilities and also, how much fun a concert could be. He's sold after 1 show!
this was the best concert that dso has done by far. the person that played jerry garcia, was phenomenol. great guitar playing. great song list. can't wait to see them again.
This show was ultimately fantastic! They played a set from January 10, 1978. I couldn't have asked for a better show. The band played fantastically and the audience was very lively. I can't wait to see them again!
Jeff Mattson is great -- I had my worries about anyone succeeding John Kadlecik, but Jeff pulled it off...and Friday night was an awesome choice (6-7-77)!!! Highly recommended (still)
DSO has come into their own power. The new guitar player has more of a Jerry attitude with extra added testosterone. He's driving the band to new heights. The drummers and bass player hook up into monster grooves that drive the house wild. Keyboard is excellent, "rhythm guitar" is quirky just like Weir, only the guy still brings youthful energy to the show. The woman sings better than Donna, too. OK, they play songs written by other people. So does Bob Dylan. Get over it. DSO is a band with its own sound and following. These guys ROCK!!!
Great job done by the band. It opened my heart and charged my battery. My legs are so sore from dancing all night. Thank you. The venue should open the upstairs for people who want to sit down. Standing the whole time was a little lame.
The band never sounded better....gotta check them out...
