Last night, June 21, Dead & Company took the stage at Citi Field for the first of two nights in New York as part of their final and highly anticipated tour. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as fans eagerly awaited the iconic band’s performance. Planes arriving from around the world flew overhead as a night full of pristine and iconic songs unfolded over a sea of people nearly 42,000 strong, comprised of long-time devotees and newcomers alike.
The evening began illuminated by a summer solstice sun, and the infectious energy of opener “Shakedown Street,” was vivid. The crowd swayed and grooved as the band seamlessly transitioned into the beloved classic “Bertha,” followed by a heartfelt rendition of “Ramble On Rose,” which included the classic “Just like New York City, just like Jericho” lyric swap. The nostalgic grooves continued as they paid homage to Tampa Red with a soulful cover of “It Hurts Me Too.”
The energy continued to climb as Dead & Company delved into a spirited rendition of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street,” which further united the romping masses. The journey continued with a heated rendition of “Althea,” showcasing the band’s and fans’ tight-knit red-string-tied chemistry. As the first set drew to a close, Dead & Company unleashed the expansive “Let It Grow,” allowing the music to soar and envelop the stadium, leaving the crowd eagerly anticipating what was to come.
Set two commenced with the lively pairing of “China Cat Sunflower” and “I Know You Rider,” captivating fans with their intricate interplay. During the frame, John Mayer–looking like a true bluesman–took a seat due to pulling his back, but his playing and vocals remained masterful as ever. The band then transitioned seamlessly into the iconic and welcomed “St. Stephen.” The energy continued to surge as they delved into “Uncle John’s Band,” evoking smiles and call and response from the massive stadium. As the song drew to a close, the experimental and cooling “Drums” and “Space” segments arrived.
Micky Hart and Jay Lane unleashed a cacophony threw their instruments drawing on rhythm from around the world – and of the world. The Rhythm Devils section also took a special turn as Joe Russo–a collaborator with Bobby Weir, Jeff Chimenti and Lane in Further–subtly joined the band for the incredible exploration and exposition.
After cooling off with “Space,” the band launched into a dynamic “The Eleven,” a tour de force of improvisation that pushed boundaries and prepared for the deep ethereal strains of “Stella Blue” that followed. Fans were transported to a reflective state of mind as both Weir and Mayer guided the sonic flow with their respective D’angelico and PRS guitars. Dead & Company then brought another surge of energy with “U.S. Blues,” filling the stadium with Red, White and Blue and iconic Grateful Dead iconography.
For their final reverberations at Citi Field, Dead & Company treated the audience to a poignant rendition of “Black Muddy River,” capturing the essence of the band’s profound connection with their fans – effectively closing out the heartfelt and unforgettable evening.
Dead & Company will perform at Citi Field again tonight.
Dead & Company
Citi Field – New York
June 21, 2023
Set I: Shakedown Street > Bertha > Ramble On Rose, It Hurts Me Too (Tampa Red cover) Dancing in the Street (Martha Reeves and the Vandellas cover) Althea, Let It Grow
Set II: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider ([traditional] cover), St. Stephen > Uncle John’s Band > Drums (with Joe Russo) > Space > The Eleven > Stella Blue > U.S. Blues, Black Muddy River