Saw the show last night in Buffalo.

Great crowd, smell of weed permeating throughout the arena everywhere. People dancing on every level including the luxury boxes. Lots of drinking and partying inside and out. All the people were polite and friendly. Just the atmosphere was worth hanging out for.

Music sounded great, John Mayer was brilliant, and he brought that Garcia guitar sound with his own lead noodling. Oteil Burbridge surprised me with some really nice bass playing and appeared to be genuinely enjoying himself. Bob Weir was in a groove. The drumming spot on. The setlist wasn't their best in my opinion, Boston the night before was the best yet. The intermission was great addition to the show and a nice way for everyone to refill, stretch their legs, hit the restrooms,and chat with each other. A rarity with other bands.

I think that the Dead has finally found the right mix for an extended run again if they all continue to hang out. It has become THE must see tour now. Don't miss it if it stops in your town.

So for 2015 I've seen the Stones, McCartney, and the Dead. Trying to make it to Stevie Wonder next week.

They have a huge soundboard on the floor with seating wrapped around. In the front half of the floor is "festival seating" or no chairs. However, it is gated off and heavily guarded with security like a corral. Kind of stupid, the entire floor should be no seats, especially for this band.

I went to a reggae concert recently in L.A. and it reeked of weed, and not in a pleasant, there's a joint over there, maybe one over there. I'm always thankful that I'm not a Dead concert. I imagine it full of white people who over indulge and definitely can't dance.

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24FPS
I went to a reggae concert recently in L.A. and it reeked of weed, and not in a pleasant, there's a joint over there, maybe one over there. I'm always thankful that I'm not a Dead concert. I imagine it full of white people who over indulge and definitely can't dance.

The weed smell was in the concourses and entrances. Smelled like some really good stuff too. I have not smoked in a few years due to where I work, if you fart the wrong way they send you for a drug screen and fire people for positive results. But man, I really wanted to.

The dancing is different, it is more of swaying and arm waving. It has a mellow flow to it. Very tolerable.

I went on a frugal budget last minute thing. I had it plotted out, but I waited until just 5 minutes before showtime, told my wife I going and left. (I'm only a five minute drive from the arena) found a spot at the casino a few blocks away, parked for free, and hustled over to the box office and bought a $45 ticket and went in during "Bertha." It took longer to walk from my parking spot to the arena than to drive there. I missed the first two songs. I just hung out in different bowl entrances. I had no intentions of sitting in the upper level.

I saw the shows at MSG in New York, and the combination of musicians that the Dead have put together for this band is incredible. Between John Mayer and Oteil, if you close your eyes you'd think that Jerry and Phil were playing. And by the way, last night's setlist was pretty great: the fact that China Doll was played makes up for songs like Viola Lee Blues and El Paso.

After overcoming the initial shock of John Mayer taking over Jerry's musical role in the band and actually listening to a few songs with him playing, I must admit he seems to be doing a great job of copping Jerry's style without trying to play his exact parts. A fine line to walk and big shoes to fill but Mayer seems to have found the right approach. Kudos for that. Glad people are enjoying the shows!

Huge Dead fan and don't like John Mayer with them. Would not pay to see it and after hearing him doodle in some of his own songs in the middle of jams it just all seemed so wrong.

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Hound Dog
Huge Dead fan and don't like John Mayer with them. Would not pay to see it and after hearing him doodle in some of his own songs in the middle of jams it just all seemed so wrong.

$$$$

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The Sicilian
Saw the show last night in Buffalo.

Great crowd, smell of weed permeating throughout the arena everywhere. People dancing on every level including the luxury boxes. Lots of drinking and partying inside and out. All the people were polite and friendly. Just the atmosphere was worth hanging out for.

Music sounded great, John Mayer was brilliant, and he brought that Garcia guitar sound with his own lead noodling. Oteil Burbridge surprised me with some really nice bass playing and appeared to be genuinely enjoying himself. Bob Weir was in a groove. The drumming spot on. The setlist wasn't their best in my opinion, Boston the night before was the best yet. The intermission was great addition to the show and a nice way for everyone to refill, stretch their legs, hit the restrooms,and chat with each other. A rarity with other bands.

I think that the Dead has finally found the right mix for an extended run again if they all continue to hang out. It has become THE must see tour now. Don't miss it if it stops in your town.

So for 2015 I've seen the Stones, McCartney, and the Dead. Trying to make it to Stevie Wonder next week.

Why would Oteil Burbriges playing surprise you? Haven't you ever heard of The Allman Brothers?

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Cooltoplady
Why would Oteil Burbriges playing surprise you? Haven't you ever heard of The Allman Brothers?

I wasn't born yesterday.

Playing is one thing, fitting in with another legendary band quite seamlessly, and learning an expansive catalog of songs that change from show to show is an impressive undertaking.

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Hound Dog
Huge Dead fan and don't like John Mayer with them. Would not pay to see it and after hearing him doodle in some of his own songs in the middle of jams it just all seemed so wrong.

The other guys seem to enjoy his contributions. The fans are loving it, immensely. The shows are selling out or close to it.

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The Sicilian

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Cooltoplady
Why would Oteil Burbriges playing surprise you? Haven't you ever heard of The Allman Brothers?

I wasn't born yesterday.

Playing is one thing, fitting in with another legendary band quite seamlessly, and learning an expansive catalog of songs that change from show to show is an impressive undertaking.

You sound naive I guess you never really had any exposure to any kind of classic rock. Check out some ABB you might like it.

I agree this band is definitely worth seeing if you like the Dead. I've caught 2 shows and would go again in a heart beat. Mayer is exceeding everyone's expectations and adding a boost of testosterone to the vibe. Magical time for us heads and different sets every night unlike you know who...

I saw a few Further shows and thought the guy "playing" Jerry was real good.

But I have no interest in seeing John Mayer, his obvious talents notwithstanding. This is just too soon after Fare Thee Well was supposed to close the book on the Dead, once and for all.

Respect please. If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it. Thank you.

Bjornulf

A coworker went to the Worcester show this week and is still raving about the show. Hilites as always are the extended songs like Estimated and Terrapin. From a set list perspective it really wasn't special but if one was to catch multiple shows it would have fit in nicely. But everyone seems healthy and Mayer is obviously adding much needed inspiration.

I dont know what people see in this band. Even Keith doesn't like them.

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More Hot Rocks
I dont know what people see in this band. Even Keith doesn't like them.

I think the appeal is standard songs with extended jams similiar to what jazz musicians would play unlike Keith and the boys regimented song structures which are identical each time they are played..not saying one is better than the other just different styles.

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More Hot Rocks
I dont know what people see in this band. Even Keith doesn't like them.

What they see is a band that toured practically non-stop, playing colleges and small towns giving everyone a chance to see them. They also put on three hour shows with different songs every show. The songs were long not little two or three minute pop hits. It was an alternative to the mainstream. It was like listening to an album. The songs are more about the music and less about the singing. Most importantly they improvised on the go. They carried the torch of the 60's San Francisco area through the decades without any flare. They are an original American band with an American sound.

They are an original American band with an American sound.[/quote]

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24FPS
full of white people who over indulge and definitely can't dance.

Is that a pre-requisite?

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Koen

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24FPS
full of white people who over indulge and definitely can't dance.

Is that a pre-requisite?

it's a bad sterotype

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reg thorpe

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Koen

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24FPS
full of white people who over indulge and definitely can't dance.

Is that a pre-requisite?

it's a bad sterotype

Oh don't worry they dance quite well…...

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More Hot Rocks
I dont know what people see in this band. Even Keith doesn't like them.

I rather think Keith was too pre-occupied, especially 72 thru 77 when the Dead hit some peaks. I'm sure he's thinking of their initial period until 1970 and he actually may have a point during that period. But that 70's period, he should have been there…..lol

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More Hot Rocks
I dont know what people see in this band. Even Keith doesn't like them.

Well, Keith doesn't like that many bands that were formed after 1962 anyway, does he?

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The Sicilian
"Bertha."

That's the only Dead song I know, thanks to the incomparable Los Lobos.

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DeanGoodman

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The Sicilian
"Bertha."

That's the only Dead song I know, thanks to the incomparable Los Lobos.

I get the feeling you are exaggerating here. Knowing a bit about your knowledge of music I find it hard to believe Casey Jones, Truckin' and even Touch of Grey haven't entered your consciousness at one time or another.

They do/did a terrific version of Little Red Rooster.

You got me. I remember the video for Touch of Gray, and know the titles of the other songs. I had to rush-write Jerry's obit in the pre-Internet era, and that required some serious inventiveness. The Dead are more of an American thing, no? cf Johnny Hallyday in France.