Photograph by Tyler Murphy Instagram Flicksbymuurph)
On 7.6.24 I was blessed with an opportunity to catch one of the many shows Bob Weir and his jamming band Dead and Company put on and it's safe to say I will never experience something quite like that ever again. A quick history of the band for those that don't know, Dead and Company is a jam band created by Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann that continues the spirit of the Grateful Dead for today's age. The trio added the likes of John Mayer (singer-songwriter most known for songs such as "Gravity" and "Your Body is a Wonderland"), Jeff Chimenti (keyboardist for Fare Three Well), and Oteil Burbridge (bassist for the Allman Brothers) to create an all-star cast of good vibes and music talent.
Now I have seen Dead and Company previously before this show catching them on their Final Tour at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheater in Phoenix, Arizona, and while that show was amazing and had that "Dead Ahead Spirit" that fans of the band are still chasing and living out today, the Sphere took it to another level. To start upon entering the Sphere you realize this show is going to be a different beast, the venue is filled with escalators everywhere and is more reminiscent of an airport than an actual concert venue. Me and my group sat in the 200s (Highly recommend if you want the best views of the Sphere overall). Upon getting to our seats, my jaw dropped to the floor when I saw the view. It's a vertical drop from your seat to the floor and being intimidating it truly adds to the magnificent effect the Sphere screen creates. To start the concert the Sphere puts us on modern-day 710 Ashbury Street, the iconic street that started everything for the band. We quickly leave 710 Ashbury ascending up and slowing into space until being thrown into a portal that takes us back in time through the history of the Dead. With stops including The Great Pyramids of Egypt, Cornell, Red Rocks, and Folsom Field to name a few.
(Photograph by Tyler Murphy IG: Flicksbymuurph)
By far the most impressive part of the show was John Mayer. Dead and Company has always heavily used John Mayer as the focal point. The Sphere shows are no different, the only difference is John has stepped up delivering us all-time performances throughout the show run. Multiple times throughout the night you could hear the crowd react as Mayer ripped yet another legendary solo and with the 7.6.24 setlist containing songs such as Eyes of the World, Estimated Prophet, Uncle John's Band, Cumberland Blues, One More Saturday Night, and Sugaree, Mayer dosed us with beautifully laid electric guitar riffs to keep everyone dancing all night. The Dead and Company and the Las Vegas Sphere is a match made in heaven a mixture of top-of-the-line 16k visuals with the acid sounding jam band that provides a once-in-a-lifetime event that will stay with someone for years after. With the show run ending on August 10 we can only hope that the band is offered a renewal for 2024, if that does happen you bet you'll see me at multiple shows during the run time.
Photographed by Tyler Murphy IG: Flicksbymuurph
Photographed by Tyler Murphy IG: Flicksbymuurpj
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