Dead & Company Bringing Interactive ‘Dead Forever Experience’ To Las Vegas

Dead & Company fans headed to Las Vegas for the band’s Sphere residency have another must-see stop in Sin City. The “Dead Forever Experience” featuring interactive activities, art exhibits, exclusive merchandise and more will be open to the public at no charge five days a week at The Venetian Resort by the Palazzo Waterfall Atrium starting on May 15 and running for the duration of the residency.

Dead & Company — guitarists Bob Weir and John Mayer, bassist Oteil Burbridge, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and drummers Mickey Hart and Jay Lane — kicks off what currently stands as a 24-show residency on May 16. The lengthy run of eight three-night stands is presently slated to end on July 13. The stage and lighting designs for the residency have been finalized, leading the band to release limited production hold tickets. Purchase Dead & Company Sphere tickets via Ticketmaster.com.

Produced by Dead & Company in partnership with Vibee and The Venetian, the 22,000-square foot “Dead Forever Experience” spans two floors and will include a recreation of the Wall of Sound system, the non-profit Participation Row, an art exhibition assembled by Mickey Hart, a space to host SiriusXM Grateful Dead Channel broadcasts, an exhibit of photos curated by Jay Blakesberg and his daughter Ricki, a theater screening D&C’s instant classic May 2023 concert at Barton Hall and more.

Read more details on the highlights of “Dead Forever Experience” below:

• A 1:4 scale functioning recreation of the infamous Wall of Sound: The massive and revolutionary sound system with stacked speakers was originally designed by audio engineer Owsley Stanley specifically for the Grateful Dead’s concerts in 1974. This 500-speaker, 7,000-watt multichannel wall was built by Anthony Coscia of “Le Petit Mur De Son.”
• Participation Row: The continuing partnership between Dead & Company, HeadCount, and REVERB where fans have gathered to take action for people and the planet since 2015. Fans can visit the Participation Row Pop-Up to get involved with causes important to the band, support nonprofit groups, collect a free VOTE pin, bid on charity auctions, and reflect on the incredible positive impact that Dead & Company fans have made over the years.
• Art at the Edge of Magic: Mickey Hart’s new immersive art exhibition showcasing his groundbreaking vibrational expressionism. This exhibit will be the first of its kind, showcasing dozens of sensory-enhancing pieces touching on all of Hart’s art forms and mediums, including a breathtaking blacklight immersion.
• SiriusXM Grateful Dead Channel Zone: Pre-show broadcasts hosted by Gary Lambert, David Gans, and Big Steve Parish will air throughout opening weekend starting Thursday, May 16, and will continue every Thursday through the residency with the Big Steve Hour.
• An American Beauty: Grateful Dead Photography 1965-1995: A photography exhibit curated by Jay Blakesberg and his daughter Ricki will feature 145 images by 27 different photographers, including many rare and unseen photographs. The exhibition is capped off with a section devoted to the continuation of “The Long Strip Trip,” featuring Dead & Company images taken by Jay Blakesberg and Chloe Weir.
• The Cinema: An exclusive Vibee VIP experience, will feature Dead & Company’s epic performance from Cornell University’s Barton Hall. The historic benefit concert for nearly 5,000 fans took place on May 8, 2023, the same date and venue as the Grateful Dead’s highly acclaimed performance at Cornell in 1977.

“Dead Forever Experience” will also host a retail store selling a mix of Dead & Company and Grateful Dead merchandise. Items up for sale include posters, apparel, accessories, vinyl and more. Plus, fans can buy libations at an atmospheric bar and lounge. “Many additional surprises” are promised.