Dead & Company have never been just a band. They are the living, breathing extension of a movement—a family that never stopped dancing, dreaming, and digging deep. This past weekend, that family gathered under the shimmering dome of Las Vegas’ Sphere for one final, cosmic exhale as the band closed out its epic multi-year residency in the most Dead way possible: with soaring jams, visual magic, rare setlist surprises, and a deep sense of communal love.
After 17 shows across six weekends, the Sphere’s 360-degree immersive canvas became a playground for psychedelic storytelling. As Mickey Hart’s “Drums/Space” thundered and shimmered against stained-glass skylines, fans found themselves both transported and grounded—right there, in the ritual, where the music played the band.
🎶 A Dead Set of Farewells: From Dylan Debuts to Garcia Tributes
Friday night (May 16) opened with Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” a poignant nod to legacy and reflection. What followed was pure Grateful Dead glory: “Althea” soared with Mayer channeling Garcia in both tone and spirit, and “The Music Never Stopped” had the crowd unified in pure groove.
But the night’s deepest surprise? A first-time cover of “I Fought The Law”—a throwback to the Dead’s 90s encores, now resurrected and lit with that unmistakable Dead & Co. flair. From there, we spiraled into the mystic with “Dark Star” and a rarely heard “Spanish Jam,” both cosmic in execution.
Saturday night (May 17) kept the fire burning. The “Help on the Way” > “Slipknot!” > “Franklin’s Tower” suite summoned memories of 70s grandeur, and “The Harder They Come” offered a soul-nourishing nod to Jerry Garcia’s solo canon. Then came “Passenger”—a song that brought Phil Lesh himself into the conversation, just before the crowd erupted during the timeless “Scarlet Begonias” > “Fire on the Mountain.”
The encore? A teary-eyed “Ripple.” A lullaby, a benediction, a thank-you.
🔊 TONIGHT at 9PM EST: Phil & Friends Radio Show on Dead Set Live
What better way to honor the echoes of the Sphere than with a night devoted to the man who laid down the bassline to the Grateful Dead’s very soul—Phil Lesh.
🎸 The Phil & Friends Radio Show airs tonight at 9PM EST, diving deep into live performances from Phil’s ever-evolving post-Dead ensemble, Phil & Friends. This weekly show captures the experimental heart of Lesh’s legacy, with rotating casts that have included Warren Haynes, Trey Anastasio, John Scofield, and more.
Tune in for a curated, cosmic journey into Lesh’s sonic world—a world shaped by jazz influences, complex improvisation, and the spirit of collaboration that made the Dead immortal.
👉 Listen Live on Live Jam Radio
🌠 COMING TOMORROW: Fare Thee Well Radio Show
As we ride the tailwinds of Dead & Company’s residency, Dead Set Live keeps the celebration going with tomorrow’s “Fare Thee Well” Radio Show—a heartfelt tribute to the music born after Jerry Garcia’s passing.
📻 Fare Thee Well explores the post-Garcia journeys of Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart. From The Dead to Furthur, RatDog, Billy & the Kids, and Dead & Company, the music never stopped—it just evolved.
Every Wednesday night, relive the sounds that kept the flame burning, proving that while Garcia may be gone, the spirit he helped ignite still burns bright and beautiful.
🎿 When Dead Meets the Mountain: Zappa Vibes & Benchetler Skis
In a surprise crossover of culture, the Sphere’s graphics during “Drums/Space” drew comparisons to the 2026 Atomic Benchetler 110s—yes, skis. Chris Benchetler, pro skier and visual artist, has long incorporated Grateful Dead imagery into the ski world, blending music and mountain in true heady fashion. From Teton Gravity Research films to K2 collaborations, the Dead’s psychedelic visuals are carving a path on the slopes.
Because let’s face it—“Ripple” makes just as much sense on a powder run as it does in a parking lot tailgate.
🧠 Phil’s Parting Words: A Communion of Spirit
Before the final encore, Phil Lesh appeared onscreen to deliver a message that rang like scripture for the faithful:
“The way that we thought of our music was kind of our communion ritual. So that we commune with each other for what we thought of as a group mind, and that brings the music about… we’re trying to create a community of spirit with the music.”
That’s what Dead & Company gave us in Las Vegas. That’s what the music always gives us. A binding force, a spiritual language, and a reminder that we’re all part of something bigger than ourselves.
🎧 Don’t Miss the Vibe
- Tonight at 9PM EST: Phil & Friends Radio Show
- Tomorrow at 9PM EST: Fare Thee Well Radio Show
- All week long: Dead Set Live plays nothing but 100% live Grateful Dead and family.
👉 Tune in now at Live Jam Radio and stay on the bus. You’re already home.
