Chicago holds a special place in the hearts of Grateful Dead fans. The band’s July 9, 1995 show at Soldier Field was their last with Jerry Garcia. Without their charismatic leader, the heart of the group was gone, and there were questions circling around the Deadhead community regarding the future. After several re-arrangements and name changes, the remaining original members decided to put their disagreements behind them and tour on for the sake of memory.
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The Dead
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 Entertainment
Art
Allstate Arena
Rosemont, IL
May 4, 2009
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Now known as The Dead, but still grateful for their die-hard fans, the quartet stepped onto the stage of the Allstate Arena to the animated audience. The show with no remarks; none were needed. Whether one has an ear or not for the type of extended rock/blues/psychedelic/country/bluegrass/folk jams that The Dead made a distinguished career from churning out, the musicianship of each member cannot be denied. All are legends on their respective instruments and in music, especially American music.
Guitarist Bob Weir, bassist Phil Lesh, and drummers Billy Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart demonstrated their ability to deliver rollicking rockers, sentimental ballads and slow-burning Western laments. Master guitarist Warren Haynes added an extra dimension, allowing the arena to be washed in swirling guitars alongside lakes of tie-dye.
The show was the first of a two-night Chicago stint, and a set with many of the classics was in place. The first half centered on blues-jams that were guitar-heavy and dance-worthy. The electricity that powered the large color-changing skull/lighting bolt symbol above the stage seemed to charge through everyone’s body, while propulsions of interweaving instrumentals provided a point of nourishment for the swaying rafters.
The crowd sang along wholeheartedly to “I Need a Miracle”. “Liberty” was another fan favorite, a song written by Garcia and Robert Hunter, the “other” band mate who never went on stage but wrote some of the most affecting story-songs in the bands catalogue.
After a great cover of the Hendrix-version “All Along the Watchtower” and a break, The Dead launched into their more laid-back folky selves. “Into The Mystic” was played warmly as a tribute to Garcia.
The concert tradition of Drums and Space came next. This was an awkward transition from a dusty saloon into an almost Tangerine Dream-like synthetic atmosphere. As synths zipped by and three large drums pounded away, many in the audience took the chance to sit down. While it was interesting to see the drummers battle it out, it felt like this electronic twist was added to simply show off. The instrumentals are proof enough of technical prowess. Even among fans, this is a divisive point. Electro-jamming doesn’t have the same appeal as the regular kind.
“Standing on the Moon” and “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad” were great wrap-ups, moving from soulfully honest lyrics, “I’d rather be with you” to a beaming optimism that only comes from a few perspective-providing downers.
The encore of the John Lennon cover “Imagine” and Dead classic “Box of Rain” were filled with symbolism. The first shows the true nature of the band, as it is entrenched in the American psyche because of its democratic nature. Instruments contribute but don’t overpower. Genres mix and melt in a pot, but ultimately come back to a jam supported by all.
“Imagine all the people” speaks to inclusivity and individuality all at once – just like The Dead speak to its fans but produces a variation of styles to suit the listener. The second paid tribute to Garcia and the memory of The Dead when they were also Grateful, echoing the last song at the last show played in this city almost fourteen years ago.
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