Dead & Company Bring ‘West L.A.’ To Las Vegas Sphere At 4th Dead Forever Weekend Finale

Dead & Company wrapped up their fourth weekend at Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday with the 12th show of their 30-date Dead Forever residency at the technologically-advanced venue. While the band focused on favorites from the Grateful Dead repertoire they’d trotted out earlier in the Vegas run, D&C also dusted off the Hunter/Garcia gem “West L.A. Fadeaway” for the first time in nearly two years.

The sextet consisting of Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir and drummer Mickey Hart, guitarist John Mayer, bassist Oteil Burbridge, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and drummer Jay Lane chose “Cold Rain & Snow” to get Saturday’s concert underway. “Lift off” was then achieved as the scaffolding imagery parted and scenes of Haight-Ashbury were displayed while Dead & Co. performed “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo.”

The “Bertha” that followed featured Mayer on lead vocals and plenty of psychedelic imagery lining the screens of Sphere. Next came the aforementioned “West L.A. Fadeaway,” last played by Dead & Company on July 12, 2022 — a span of 48 shows. Bobby Weir handled lead vocals on the song the Dead recorded for their 1987 album, In The Dark. Trippy images were spun into a scene of a disco ball featuring a Stealie icon within while Chimenti took a choice organ solo. Mayer then led his bandmates through a 1973-style “They Love Each Other” more fast-paced than the versions that appeared at later era Dead shows. Last night’s first set came to a close with a “Deal” that gave way to the day-appropriate and unusually-placed “One More Saturday Night.”

Dead & Company returned to get in the groove and kick off the second set with a cover of Sam Cooke’s “Let The Good Times Roll.” Weir then fronted the beloved “Sugar Magnolia” while a color-by-number landscape was laid out on the screens. John Mayer shined on the ensuing “Althea” both vocally and instrumentally as fans were taken on a virtual trip to the Pyramids where the Dead played in 1978. “Terrapin Station” then laid the groundwork for the evening’s “Drums” and “Space” excursions.

The six-piece moved on from “Space” in emotional fashion by working through “Standing On The Moon.” Weir then captained “Good Lovin'” before Mayer belted out “Deal” in front of Wall of Sound imagery to the delight of those at Sphere. A poignant cover of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” followed as fans returned visually to Haight-Ashbury. An old news broadcast of the Grateful Dead broke up “Knockin'” and the evening’s “Not Fade Away” closer. Pictures of the Grateful Dead filled the screens over the first few minutes of the song. The members of Dead & Company took their bows as the audience bid them farewell by singing, “you know our love will not fade away.”

Want more Dead & Co stats?

Visit JamBase’s The Skinny Hub

More Skinny

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqSxy2mTSZE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAhhisBQPwY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As_2k9hyM0k

---

CashorTrade, is the leader of the face value ticket movement. Tickets are listed at face value or below right now for the Sphere run. By choosing CashorTrade you are supporting real fans not brokers trying to unload inventory. Head over to CashorTrade and make an offer. Who knows, you might even stumble upon a miracle. Going to see Dead & Company at Sphere or any other concerts in Vegas? Book your stay at the newly-renovated Rio Las Vegas using this link and receive 40% off your accommodations!

Dead & Company returns to Sphere on Thursday, June 13 to resume their Dead Forever residency. View a complete list of dates and more information below: