There was magic in the air of San Francisco over the last three days, with a high concentration centered in Golden Gate Park. Sixty years ago, a band beyond description was born that would forever alter the course of music history, in no particular way but their own. Celebrating 60 years of the Grateful Dead, Dead & Company brought their best selves to these historic grounds with 60,000+ members of the extended family to mark the occasion. The carefully chosen openers included Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson, and Trey Anastasio Band. Highlights abound throughout the weekend; here are ten high points from the historic celebration.
Billy Strings Plays Jerry
The guest fill-ins were top-notch all weekend, and Billy kicked off Friday and the weekend as a whole in high style. Notably, during his solo set, Billy and his exceptional bandmates offered a few choice selections from Garcia’s solo career, including stellar takes on “Shady Grove”, “Pig in a Pen”, and a gorgeous “Dreadful Wind & Rain”. In a cool, grateful nod, Strings set closed with his unique brand of psychedelic bluegrass featured on the tune “Thunder”, a song Billy penned with lyrics written by none other than the late, great Grateful Dead lyricist, Robert Hunter.
“Eyes of the World” > “Terrapin Station”
Close to 40 minutes of swinging crescendos, beautiful solos from band members, with an uptick in musical vigor that punctuated night one. The back-and-forth between John Mayer and Jeff Chimienti was exceptional here, as was the bass playing by Oteil Burbridge. This section of the show had a clear wave of energy wash over both band and crowd.
“Wharf Rat”
Wow. If you’re reading this list and missed the Weeknd’s music, go listen to this one right now. Of the many memorable takes over the years on this Dead classic, Billy Strings absolutely crushed this rendition. It’s undeniable. He brought so much to the stage with this one sit-in, seemingly elevating the band as a whole with accentuated licks galore, extended dips of improvisation, and a soaring climax. Mark it-this one will stand the test of time. It was that good.
“Morning Dew”
To hear “Dew” at the end of the first set was unexpected. One of the Dead’s most beloved set closers (and covers in general), the old-school war tune was most often placed near the end of set two with the Grateful Dead, ultimately closing many shows in ways fans still talk about to this day. Saturday’s guest, Sturgill Simpson, led the song with brilliant vocals and guitar playing, with Mayer bringing it home with a fine solo finale.
Night 2 Set 2
Something shifted a bit during this set. A ramped energy of sorts with some tighter interplay, this was a set that felt full. From the “Uncle John’s Band” opener through “Drums” and “Space” and the “Brokedown Palace” endpoint, top-to-bottom, this set unfolded cohesively in vivid fashion. “Cold Rain and Snow” was ripping, as was the “Help on the Way”> spacious ”Slipknot!”> “Franklins Tower”. The “Days Between” was especially deep and heartfelt with Bob Weir nailing the highly emotional piece.
Grahame Lesh
It was emotional to say the least. Arguably the most welcome surprise of the weekend was set one of night one when Grahame took Oteil’s spot on stage, wielding his father’s “Big Brown” bass to lead on Phil’s beloved “Box of Rain.” Grahame also stayed for “Playing in the Band” on Friday. On Saturday, he emerged for a raging take on “St. Stephen”, and Sunday, he took the stage once again, dropping patented Lesh bass bombs on “Broken Arrow”, a tune Deadheads know well from late 90’s renditions sung by his late father Phil. Grahame also shared bass duties this weekend with Oteil on “Cumberland Blues”, which was particularly fun to watch as both bassists were clearly smitten sharing the bass duties with each other.
“Mission in the Rain”
So many incredible surprises all weekend. This was another big wow moment that started with Trey Anastasio offering heartfelt banter about his first Dead show, and that no one could really sing the next song quite like Jerry. But then Trey did just that, leading his TAB outfit on the treasured Garcia tune with a couple of striking solos backed wonderfully on vocals by his horn section of Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman, and Kenneth Whalum.
“Scarlet Begonias” > “Fire on the Mountain”
One of the many highlights from the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead shows was this very same treasured coupling. Kicking off the final set of the weekend, this is another piece of music that will stand the test of time. Every member of Dead & Company rose up for a moment here. Jay Lane is holding the beat, and Mickey is rapping at the end. Oteil’s thick bass with Chimenti’s sweeping licks on the keys were notable, as were the shared vocals before Mickey from Oteil, Bobby, and then Trey all taking a verse. The big highlight here, though, was certainly the back-and-forth interplay between Mayer and Anastasio. Feeding off each other, the two guitarists traded sweeping guitar riffs and big smiles to the delight of all. A major standout moment from a standout weekend.
Bobby and Mickey
It was a very different celebration from GD50. Dead & Company started just after these shows ten years ago and have undoubtedly brought another fresh wave of Grateful Dead energy to the masses. Bringing out Trixie on Jerry’s birthday, along with band members’ children on Sunday, to introduce Dead & Co. was the sort of well-thought-out action that lined up all weekend. But let’s be real here, without Bobby and Mickey, no one would have been dancing and celebrating in Golden Gate Park this past weekend. We’re so fortunate to celebrate this music and legacy in so many ways as the next generation of Dead-inspired music, musicians, and offshoots are seemingly everywhere. What a gift that these two legends are still on the stage doing what they do to the delight of us all. Who knows where we’ll be in ten more years, with only one thing for certain, the music never stops. Hard to believe Bobby has been playing now longer without Jerry than he had before with him.
The Vibes
To the highest degree. Talk to any single human who collectively made the weekend what it was, and I bet they’ll tell you the same. It was a full hit of the California dream. The Haight is completely going off with creatives of all kinds. Dead music is being played across the city at all hours, all weekend long. Tens of thousands of people coming together in unison. No bad vibes whatsoever. Even in 2025, that ’60s magic remains alive and well, living within and throughout the legacy of what some say is the greatest rock and roll band that ever was, the Grateful Dead.
