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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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The venue was small, comfortable, and personal. Staff is friendly. Light show right on. Bathrooms clean. Two bars, great. Dark Star opened with Bertha. Could I ask for a better show!?
It's been about 2 years since I saw this band and the first time since the new lineup (Kadlecik went to Furthur). I had a great time. These guys are the best GD tribute band out there. I particularly like these guys because they play the standard Grateful Dead format including a 2nd set Drums / Space (at most shows.) Because of this, I actually prefer these guys over Furthur which feels a little weird to say. At any rate, DSO and Furthur are must see events if they come anywhere near your town. The venue was perfect. It was small, reasonably clean and the crowd was great. Perfect evening.
Awesome...just like the old times. If you like the Dead, you'll love this.
They rocked, they rolled, they steamrolled over us. What can I say? They play the music with more love and respect than the originals. The new line up is a joy to behold. Jeff plays from his heart, with the wisdom of age, and probably a few hard knocks thrown in there. They invoke the muse, treat her with respect, and she in turn smiles on them, and us. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Wow! These guys really know how to put on a show. Great music played by great musicians in a sweet little venue with an excellent sound system and light show. If you like the Grateful Dead even a little bit, you really should check out this band!
Best St. Louis show ever! The set was fantastic. The band was on. The crowd was awesome. Can't wait till they come back and play some China Cat into I know you Rider.. Love these guys and grateful for what they do!
I have wanted to see this band for years, and finally I got to. It was an amazing experience. The audience was a good mix between old deadheads and a younger crowd that came to apprieciate the Dead's music after Garcias death. It felt like a trip back in time, and it was wonderful.
nothing too spectacular but not bad. I wouldnt pay what i did to go see them again. the whole time all i could really think about was the woman sitting next to us smoking pot in the theater. REALLY ANNOYING!! loved the venue! the Varsity theater is amazing as usual but the band wasnt what i thought it was gonna be.
A truly wondrous, mind-blowing show powered by the energy of a young college crowd on the U of Minn campus. As a veteran of many GD shows back in the day, I can confidently say on this particular night Dark Star Orchestra tapped into the "X-factor" and found the same magic as the Grateful Dead so often did. In fact on some songs such as "Dear Prudence" DSO's version was even more incredible than the original. This performance fell on Brent Mydland's birthday (he'd be 58). To mark the occasion, DSO created a custom set list with a Late 80s / Early 90s Dead feel, heavy on keyboards.
Missed the first two songs because I was stuck in a line outside the door....security was so tight it took forever to get in! The band was on fire!!! Awesome setlist.....incredible versions of Lazy Lightning>Supplication.....Foolish Heart.....Lost Sailor>Saint of Circumstance...a killer Days Between.....and a ferocious Thats What Love Will Make You Do! Great mix of the Dead during the 70's thru 90's! Can't wait to see them again in MN...
Unfortunately, I never got to see the Dead with Jerry. I've become a huge fan of their music over the past few years, and I have to say that the Dark Star Orchestra is the next best thing. I've seen three shows, and the magical environment that they create, along with all the Dead Heads in the audience is amazing. You have to be in to it to enjoy it. You probably won't hear many songs you recognize, even if you know lots of Dead tunes, so come ready to feel the power of the music and the energy around it. After seeing them twice at outdoor venues, I'd have to say I prefer that over the college feel of the Varsity Theater, but I'm glad young people are experiencing this too and hopefully someday they will be sporting tie dyed shirts and contributing to the vibe that gives these shows a feel that you have to be present to understand.
Smokin' show. DSO like you've never heard them before. Jeff Mattson & Rob Barraco bring a depth and knowlege of the Greatful Dead to this already fantastic band. The entire show rocked, from Alabama Getaway to the end. Great venu but could use some updating by the new guys.
They played an original set list with lots of great tunes. St. Stephen > Eleven, Help>Slip>Franklin and a great tangled up in blue. I thought they might have lost something when John left and that is not the case Jeff is a very able replacement. Place was packed but still enough room to dance. Peace.
one of their very best. The band is totally together.
Dark Star Orchestera at Best Buy Theatre was soo great ! I went with a group of friends and we all had a great time. The band was so tight and the lights and stage show was awesome- I love the music of the Dead --so this was perfect .. that music and all the crowd dancing and happy and also conga drum jams and great guitar solos-- these guys are great ! I will def see them again !!
The show at the Palace Theater was amazing.The sound was prefect and the phrasing of the songs was amazing.This wasn't a tribute show, these musicans really studied these songs and delivered them well. They did almost of the Europr 72 album which iss one of my favorities. I would recommend this band to anyone. It was well worth the price of addmission and the Palace iss onee beautiful theater and the acustics are great. Great show, great venue.What could be better? Thank you very much for this performance.
Never before saw DSO at the Palace in Albany - well, of course I was not disappointed. Got to see a show originally from the Lyceum in England during Europe '72 and the Palace Theatre was the perfect venue for it. I don't need to go through the songs - it was Europe '72 - you know the songs. I was just so impressed by how long they played though - they just kept going... probably close to a solid three hours (with an intermission). So DSO - I know you just finished here about 48 hrs. ago - but when are you coming back ?
I was concerned about the change in guitarists.... no concern necessary. Excellent show at an excellent venue.... no complaints all the way around.
The boys & girl were fantastic. They took on a monster of a show. The last night of the Europe 72 tour in England. The first set was 2 hours long with song after rippin song tacked on. They nailed it. The second set was just as good. They played for 4 hours. At the beginning, when not many people were in Rob mentioned that they needed to get started because there was so much music to cover. He was right. Thank goodness this band carries on the amazing music of the Dead and in such a close replica of the real thing. Thanks to all. The staff at the Palace are also very cool and do not hassle the audience. It was excellent and we were happy to be a part of it.
We expected a fun night, and what we received was a great night!! DSO started promptly at 7:32 p.m. which caught many off guard. They proceeded to take us on a trip through '72, with great versions of Black Throated Wind, Playin' in the Band and I Know You Rider. We started thinking there would be no set break and they would play right through, but sure enough they took a break and then proceeded to get it done until nearly midnight! Four and a half hours of tight playing with a sizzling The Other One in the second set. Much much better than I expected. Good Times!
