Step into a time machine and experience the Grateful Dead like never before with Dark Star Orchestra. This exceptional tribute band doesn’t just play Grateful Dead songs — they recreate entire concerts from the Dead’s legendary 2,000+ show catalog, transporting audiences back to specific nights in Grateful Dead history.

Expect an evening of pure improvisational bliss as DSO meticulously recreates the Dead’s intra-band interplay, pastoral guitar explorations and those legendary extended jams that made every Dead show unique. The seven-piece ensemble tailors its arrangements, gear and tempos to match the specific era it’s channeling — whether it’s the psychedelic ’60s, the country-rock ’70s or the arena-rock ’80s. The result is an authentic live experience that captures the communal spirit and musical adventure that defined Grateful Dead concerts.

Their credentials are impeccable. With over 2,800 shows performed (exceeding even the Grateful Dead themselves!), DSO has become a touring phenomenon since its formation in Chicago in 1997. They’ve graced major festivals including Bonnaroo and Milwaukee’s SummerFest, and earned the ultimate seal of approval: performing alongside actual Dead members, including Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Donna Jean Godchaux. In 2018, guitarist Jeff Mattson even played Jerry Garcia’s iconic custom guitar, “Wolf.”

Whether you’re a longtime Deadhead or discovering this music for the first time, DSO delivers the exploratory, improvisational experience that made Grateful Dead concerts unforgettable cultural touchstones that stick with you.