Dead & Company Manager Hints At Future Sphere Shows & Concert Film

Much has changed for Dead & Company in the exactly 25 months that have passed since the band announced their last tour would take place in Summer 2023. Not only did the Grateful Dead offshoot return in 2024 for a 30-show residency at Sphere, but they are game to come back to the Las Vegas venue according to a new interview with Dead & Co. manager Bernie Cahill.

Dead & Company was formed in 2015 by Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir and drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart along with guitarist John Mayer, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and bassist Oteil Burbridge. Kreutzmann pulled out of the band before “The Final Tour.” Jay Lane has stepped in.

The Final Tour was hugely successful and as the excursion traversed the country, multiple band members detailed their willingness to perform together again. Dead & Company rose again to play 30 shows at the Las Vegas Sphere over 10 non-consecutive weekends between May 16 and August 10.

Bernie Cahill, founding partner of Activist Artists Management, which co-manages Dead & Company, provided takeaways on the Dead Forever residency with Pollstar. Cahill was asked if a concert film documenting the residency was in the works. While he didn’t confirm Dead & Co. would follow in U2's footprints, he certainly didn’t deny there would be Sphere film. “At this point, I can’t say anything,” Cahill responded.

Pollstar also queried Bernie Cahill on rumors Dead & Company are planning a March 2025 run at Sphere and how the band would celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead next year. “The band loved playing the Sphere, I can tell you that. And they love the residency,” Cahill explained and opened the door to future shows. “I know they would definitely be interested in going back. In terms of next year and what GD60 holds, it’s all a conversation, we’ll see. There’s a lot to celebrate.”

John Mayer, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart each expressed the desire to bring Dead & Co. back to the forward-thinking venue. Bobby told Variety he “wouldn’t be surprised if we get invited back” and that he “would certainly make room for that.” Weir added, “We’re only scratching the surface here” when it came to use of technology.

“I truly do not know if we’ll come back,” Mayer said in the same Variety feature. “Last I heard, bands could only play once at the Sphere. Then I heard chatter of that no longer being a rule. That’s the most I know. But I’ll tell you this: If someone asked me to do more, I would absolutely do more. But if we did that, it wouldn’t be this year.”

Last week, Mickey Hart spoke about the potential for more Dead & Co. at Sphere during an appearance on Barstool's Pardon My Take podcast “There’s no reason why there wouldn’t be,” Mickey responded when asked if there will be additional dates. “Let’s leave it at that.”

Stay tuned! Head to Pollstar for more Dead Forever takeaways from Bernie Cahill.