Dead & Company's Summer Tour 2023 marked a significant milestone in the band's history as it was announced to be their final tour. This tour, which spanned from May 19 to July 16, 2023, was a farewell to fans and a celebration of the band's legacy. The tour was notable not only for its emotional significance but also for the changes in the band's lineup, as founding member Bill Kreutzmann departed before the tour began.
A Farewell Tour
On September 23, 2022, Dead
& Company announced that their upcoming summer tour would be their last. This announcement set the stage for a series of 29 shows that would take the band across the United States, starting in Inglewood, California, and concluding in San Francisco. The tour was a chance for fans to experience the band's music live one last time, and it was met with widespread anticipation and excitement.
The tour kicked off on May 19, 2023, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. Fans gathered to witness the beginning of the end for Dead & Company, a band that had carried the torch of the Grateful Dead's music for years. The final show took place on July 16, 2023, in San Francisco, a city deeply connected to the band's roots and the birthplace of the Grateful Dead.
Changes in the Band
One of the notable aspects of the Summer Tour 2023 was the absence of Bill Kreutzmann, a founding member of the band. In April 2023, it was announced that Kreutzmann would be leaving Dead & Company due to a shift in creative direction. Jay Lane, who had previously filled in for Kreutzmann during the 2022 summer tour, stepped in as a full-time member.
The departure of Kreutzmann was a significant change for the band, as he had been a part of the Grateful Dead's legacy for decades. Despite this change, the tour was well-received, with fans and critics praising the performances and the inclusion of Lane as a full-time member.
The Legacy Continues
While the Summer Tour 2023 marked the end of Dead & Company's touring days, it did not signify the end of the band's music. Speculation about the band's future circulated after the tour's conclusion, with drummer Mickey Hart reassuring fans that while they would not tour again, they might still perform in the future.
In February 2024, Dead & Company announced a concert residency at Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, titled "Dead Forever: Live at Sphere." This residency consisted of 30 shows, offering fans a new way to experience the band's music. The legacy of Dead & Company continues, even as their touring days have come to a close.
