Dead & Company have confirmed that on May 8, 2023, they will perform a benefit concert at Cornell University’s Barton Hall in Ithaca, N.Y. The news arrives after rumors began to circulate on Tuesday, Feb. 28, after all six band members posted identical images which alluded to the impending show.
Tuesday’s tease saw Dead & Company’s Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti, unanimously drop identical images via social media displaying elements of Cornell University’s iconography intertwined with the Grateful Dead’s 13-point lightning bolt, and the date May 8, 2023.
Fans of the Grateful Dead’s live repertoire quickly aligned the timing of the upcoming off-shoot concert with one of the most significant dates in the San Francisco jamband’s concert history. May 8, 1977, is widely considered one of the best performances by the ensemble.
As a follow-up to the speculation, the band responded yesterday, writing, “There’s a lot of excitement brewing about what’s to come at Cornell University. Yes–it’s true–Dead & Company will be playing a benefit concert at Cornell University.”
All proceeds raised through the sale of tickets for the benefit concert go to MusiCares, a nonprofit organization that provides the music community with a network of critical health and welfare services. In addition, the show supports The 2030 Project, Cornell University’s climate change initiative.
For more information, see the band’s post via Instagram.
This story is still unfolding, additional information will be added as it is released.