Giving homage in a continually evolving artistic outlet, the Dark Star Orchestra recreates historic Grateful Dead set lists with compelling accuracy. Each night, the Chicago-based band decides on performing one show from the over 2,500 that the Grateful Dead originally performed during their 30 year tenure as fathers of improvisational rock.
Dark Star Orchestra presents the complete original set list, song by song, and in order, with uncanny faithful interpretation. To date, DSO has covered more than 1,000 different Grateful Dead shows
The group has their craft so well-refined that even members of the Dead themselves, rhythm guitarist/singer Bob Weir, drummer Bill Kreutzmann, and keyboardist Vince Welnick, have appeared on stage and performed with these live music interpreters.
Precision is king with this group, who position the stage plot based on the year of Grateful Dead show they are performing. Dark Star Orchestra adapts their phrasing, voice arrangements, and even arranges specific musical equipment for the various eras in which they perform.
"...recreates the Dead concert experience with uncanny verisimilitude. In fact, Dark Star Orchestra often sounds more like the Dead than the Dead sometimes did..."
Andy Argyrakis/Chicago Tribune
"An incredible simulation of the [Dead's] post-1972 incarnation(s)."
Relix
"Fanatical attention to detail."
Rolling Stone
"Channelling the Dead!"
USA Today
"This is a great band, and I had a great time."
Bob Weir/Grateful Dead's rhythm guitarist
Standard performance consists of six to seven member band, recreating Grateful Dead sets from 1973 to 1995, plus original set lists.