Dark Star Orchestra with Keller Williams :: 07.08.18
Red Rocks :: Morrison, CO

Grateful Dead tribute act Dark Star Orchestra made their Red Rocks debut at the iconic Morrison, Colorado venue on Sunday night. DSO celebrated the occasion by recreating the setlist the Dead used at the same venue 40 years prior. The Grateful Dead’s July 8, 1978 performance was the group’s second at Red Rocks and is considered a high point of an outstanding year in the band’s history. Keller Williams kicked off the action on Sunday with a solo set filled with his looping-filled brand of songcraft.

Dark Star Orchestra was joined by Grateful Dead vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux for portions of their Red Rocks debut on Sunday. Donna added to the “Deal” in the first set as well as the “Samson & Delilah,” “Estimated Prophet” and “Franklin’s Tower” in the second set. Furthermore, Godchaux helped out on a first encore of “Terrapin Station,” “One More Saturday Night” and “Werewolves Of London.” DSO returned without Donna for a second encore, or filler, of “Box Of Rain,” “China Cat Sunflower” and “I Know You Rider.” Photographer Suzy Perler was on hand to capture the action at Red Rocks. Check out a gallery of her work as well as pro-shot video of the entire concert provided by nugs.tv:

Pro-Shot Video

Setlist

Set One: Bertha, Good Lovin’, Dire Wolf, El Paso, It Must’ve Been The Roses, New Minglewood Blues, Ramble On Rose, Promised Land, Deal*

Set Two: Samson And Delilah*, Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet* > The Other One > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Wharf Rat > Franklin’s Tower* > Sugar Magnolia

Encore: Terrapin Station8 > One More Saturday Night*, Werewolves Of London*

Encore 2: Box of Rain > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider

* – w/ Donna Jean Godchaux