It’s A Grateful Weekend For Dead Fans As New Clubs Opens In Chicago Honoring A Legend And Dead & Company Kicks Off Second Residency In Vegas

Mar 22, 2025 admin_bitlc Features, ITLM OTRS, Music News, Reviews 0

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By Rebecca D’Angelo

Dead & Company’s second residency at the Las Vegas Sphere kicked off in spectacular fashion on March 20, 2025, blending the band’s timeless Grateful Dead classics with cutting-edge technology and a stunning visual experience. The night not only highlighted their mastery of music but also took full advantage of the Sphere’s world-class technological capabilities, creating a show unlike anything most concertgoers have seen before.

Even more love was presented around Vegas as Shakedown Street returned larger than before with vendors and wears to satisfy any Deadhead. Stop by and say hi to the Kama Kosmic Krusadrer, Harry Perry, who’s travelled here all the way from his normal stomping grounds, Venice Beach.

The Music and Setlist

The setlist was a testament to Dead & Company’s ability to craft a night of both nostalgic reverence and adventurous jamming. Opening with the high-energy “Gimme Some Lovin’,” the band quickly established a lively, upbeat mood. From there, they effortlessly flowed into “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo” and “Bertha,” both of which had the crowd dancing and singing along. The first set continued with classics like “New Speedway Boogie,” “Brown-Eyed Women,” and a raucous rendition of “Good Lovin’,” making it clear that Dead & Company were in their element, delivering songs with a level of energy that was contagious.

The second set was an undeniable highlight. The band dove into “Feel Like a Stranger,” setting the tone for an extended jam-heavy section that included the beloved “Scarlet Begonias” into “Fire on the Mountain,” and an epic “Terrapin Station.” It was during these moments that the improvisational magic of Dead & Company really shone, as they fed off each other’s energy and took the audience on unexpected sonic journeys.

“Standing on the Moon” provided a more reflective moment in the set, showcasing the emotional depth that has always been a hallmark of the Grateful Dead’s music. The show wrapped up with a fiery “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and an anthemic “Touch of Grey,” leaving the crowd on a euphoric high.

The Visuals and Technology

But what truly set this concert apart was the mesmerizing visuals that accompanied the music. The Sphere’s immersive LED screens transformed the entire venue into a living, breathing extension of the band’s performance. As the band played, the audience was treated to larger-than-life projections that perfectly synced with the music—each transition in the set was marked by intricate animations and artful interpretations of the songs.

Perhaps the most captivating visual element was the band’s use of abstract and surreal imagery—ranging from cosmic landscapes to whimsical depictions of classic Grateful Dead iconography. For instance, during “Terrapin Station,” the screens displayed vibrant, psychedelic patterns that seemed to swirl and pulse with the rhythm of the music, as if they were an integral part of the song itself. The visuals became even more immersive during the “Drums” and “Space” segments, where the entire venue seemed to dissolve into a swirling galaxy of color and light, sending the audience into a trance-like state.

One particularly memorable moment was during “Scarlet Begonias,” where an animated sequence of dancing flowers and fiery bursts of color matched the upbeat energy of the track, creating a playful and visually stunning interpretation of the song’s vibe.

The Sphere’s technology didn’t just enhance the visuals—it also allowed for a seamless blending of live footage and abstract animation. Cameras captured the band in real-time, projecting their performances onto the screens alongside the creative visual elements, making it feel as though the audience was experiencing the music in multiple dimensions. The combination of dynamic lighting, high-definition video, and spatial audio created an immersive experience that felt deeply personal and otherworldly at the same time.

Crowd Reactions

The crowd’s energy was electric from the moment the band took the stage. Fans were in awe of the immersive visuals, frequently cheering and applauding as the technology transformed the venue into a living canvas. The more experimental and jam-heavy segments of the show were met with enthusiastic whoops and cheers, while the more familiar classics brought the crowd to a collective sing-along. The atmosphere in the Sphere was one of pure celebration—of both the Grateful Dead’s legendary music and the innovative ways in which that music was being brought to life.

It was clear that the audience was fully invested in the experience—not just in the music, but in the fusion of sight and sound that Dead & Company, along with the technology of the Sphere, had crafted. Fans reveled in the trippy visuals, and it was easy to see how this new kind of performance could attract even more fans of the Grateful Dead’s legacy.

Technology Behind the Video Wall

Behind the magic was the groundbreaking technology that powers the Sphere’s immense visual displays. With over 580,000 square feet of LED screens covering both the stage and the surrounding areas of the venue, the Sphere uses a combination of ultra-high-definition video projection and spatial sound to create a truly 360-degree experience. The audio system, designed to immerse listeners with pinpoint accuracy, also allowed for crystal-clear sound that complemented the visuals perfectly. The integration of live video, animation, and sound felt like a cohesive piece of art rather than separate elements, amplifying the emotional impact of the performance.

Conclusion

The opening night of Dead & Company’s second residency at the Las Vegas Sphere was an absolute triumph. The band’s live performance was as tight and engaging as ever, but it was the synergy between their music and the Sphere’s revolutionary technology that truly made the show unforgettable. The visuals were mind-blowing, the crowd was euphoric, and the technology brought everything together in a way that will likely redefine the concert experience for years to come. For Dead & Company fans and anyone lucky enough to be in the Sphere that night, it was a once-in-a-lifetime show.

For more on Dead and Company, click here

For more on The Sphere in Las Vegas, click here

Setlist: Dead & Company, Dead Forever, live in Las Vegas Opening Night Residency March 20, 2025

Set 1:

1. Gimme Some Lovin’
2. Mississippi Half Step Uptown Toodeloo
3. Bertha
4. New Speedway Boogie
5. Brown Eyed Woman
6. Good Lovin’
7. Don’t Ease Me In

Set 2:

1. Feel Like A Stranger
2. Scarlet Begonias
3. Fire On The Mountain
4. Terrapin Station
5. Drums
6. Space
7. Standing On The Moon
8. Althea
9. Going Down The Road Feeling Bad
10. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
11. Touch Of Grey

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• 2025, concert review, Dead & Company, Dead Forever, Grateful Dead, Residency, Vegas

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