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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 Casino Ballroom is a great venue. Right on the beach, with good ventilation, plenty of space and great sound! DSO plays the Grateful Dead with energy and respect. Great shows both nights. I highly recommend this venue and DSO for anyone who wants to experience the atmosphere of a Dead show.
Ive seen DSO 10-15 times and everytime I am blown away by how great they sound. If you like the Grateful Dead and miss being at a Dead show, give these guys a try. They do a great job.
You gotta go! best show ever! awesome good job!!! Widdle Widdle
I went to see the Dark Star Orchestra on Friday 6/12 at the Club Casino in Hampton Beach NH. The show was great! The meticulous attention to detail astounds me everytime. I have seen the Grateful Dead (w/Jerry) 48 times since 84' and the thing you learned relatively quickly about the band is that not every show was a good experience. Some shows would blow you away and others would leave you scratching your head. I have seen the DSO 5 or 6 times and have been impressed with every show. I'm not always thrilled with the show they pick to revisit (I like the late 70's early 80's era) but whatever they do they do it well. Consistantly! Close your eyes and your transported back to Jerry and the boys in their prime. Thanks DSO!!!
EXCELLENT SHOW THEY ARE ABSOLUTLEY AMAZING, SO VERY GRATEFUL!
I have seen these guys many times and they always put on a great show. I thought the setlist was fantastic, the sound was great. A great time.
These days - these guys are more dead than the dead, cos' they still got their Jerry. How is it possible that they are this good? If you close your eyes, your instantly transported back to the late 60's early 70's. Don't get me wrong - I still love Bobby & Phil & Mickey & Bill and see them every chance I get, but these guys, well - all I can say is WOW!! This show was a reproduction of: Greatful Dead Setlist: 1/8/79 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
most fun i've had in a while!!!!!! or ever!!!!!!!!!! darkstar was absolutely unforgettable. will see them ANY chance i get. they replicate the shows so well of the greatest band ever, and they perform them beautifully.
DS played a tight set from Cincinnati '73. While the tent was not packed to capacity, this led to more room for everyone to dance, which was necessary with the music that was being played. All in all, a good time had by all, I would assume.
The only thing I can say is that they did a beautiful Brokedown Palace, and I was alright with calling it a night!!!!!!!!!! But then they went with a Midnight Hour Easy Wind Help On The Way Slipknot Franklins Tower!!!!!!!!!! 6 song encore! Need I say anything else????????
Although I didn't get too lucky with all the songs they played, Dark Star still played the songs ridiculously well with a lot of energy and good vibes that the crowd was eating up. Even if you're not a Dead Head you'd enjoy the show because of the atmosphere, people, and of course music. Can't forget Tea Leaf Green either, awesome opening!
dso never disappoints and this show was no different. they bring amazing energy to the stage each and every performance and their music is spot on. but good grief does this really need to be an all ages show?
Dark Star Orchestra put on an awesome show. This was only my 2nd time seeing them. I have heard great things about them over the years. Being a Dead Head I really had my doubts that they could "pull it off" but they blew me away with the show! I'll be back for a 3rd!
I've been to about ten DSO shows and never been disappointed. Friday was no different. I met alot of old freinds and everyone was rocking. I thought the sound was great I took my usual spot in the back of the room. Leaves more space to dance. It was nice to see Lisa mingling in the crowd too.
Tea Leaf Green opened for DSO - first time seeing this band, and they were cool, I especially liked the guy on keyboards. But I'm there for DSO - it was amazing back in November to see them for the first time, after not having gotten to see Jerry with the Grateful Dead since 1987. DSO plays with all the energy that the Grateful Dead used to have "back in the day" and do an excellent job with the tunes. I'll go see them ANY time they come to town.
This show was a Recreation of a Setlist performed by the Grateful Dead on 10/15/83 at the Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT. GREAT SHOW!!! This show was a rock show, followed by a fantastic MONSTER Midnight Hour, Easy Wind, Help on the Way> Slipknot!> Franklin's Tower, ALMOST A COMPLETE 3rd SET!! Very HOT and STICKY inside the Electric Factory, I guess new management does not approve of opening the side doors for some air, too bad... VERY STUFFY.
I was pretty into the dead when they were around. Loved them. I never thought I would experience anything like it again....until a friend took me to see Dark Star. It was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They rocked the house with such energy.....the crowd was great- friendly and nice, just like it used to be. I can't wait until they are in town again.
very cool show to see. nice filler at the end too. cant wait till they come back too see em agagin
I was at the front the whole time dancing and it was so much fun. The venue was great, Keller was amazing and Dark Star blew me away.
I have seen DSO many times each show gets better and better ! The crowd is awsome , the music is great ! I am going to see them agian this up coming weekend - I think the really cool thing is trying to figure out what Dead show and from what year it was played - it makes it interesting when you go with a good group of friends
