The Grateful Dead Tribute Radio Show offers an incredible journey through the music of the legendary band, featuring performances exclusively by live Grateful Dead cover bands. This unique radio show has become a cherished tradition for Deadheads around the world, giving listeners an authentic experience of the music that shaped an era—performed by the bands who honor its legacy.
In 2025, the show is kicking off the new year with a special feature on the Dark Star Orchestra’s performance on December 31, 2024, at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. Dark Star Orchestra is one of the most well-known and respected Grateful Dead tribute bands, renowned for their dedication to recreating the Grateful Dead experience. This performance, part of their Cosmic New Year’s Run 2024, encapsulates the spirit of the Dead with a setlist that spans from classic Grateful Dead tunes to unique interpretations of traditional covers.
A Night of Classic Grateful Dead and More
The Dark Star Orchestra’s setlist from December 31, 2024, was a true testament to their ability to bring the Grateful Dead’s music to life, both in spirit and sound. With songs drawn directly from the Dead’s extensive catalog, the show offered a dynamic mix of their iconic tunes alongside the band’s unique twists on covers and jams. The radio show will showcase this electrifying performance, transporting listeners to the heart of the Capitol Theatre as the clock counted down to the new year.
Acoustic Set:
- Shady Grove
- Empty Trainload of Sky
- Viola Lee Blues (Cannon’s Jug Stompers cover)
- Midnight Town
- Apeman
- You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly
- Swing Low Sweet Chariot
- Ripple (Grateful Dead cover)
The acoustic set kicked things off with an intimate feel, bringing a touch of folk and blues into the Grateful Dead universe. Songs like “Shady Grove” and “Viola Lee Blues” offer a nod to the early American influences that colored the Grateful Dead’s sound. The inclusion of covers like “Viola Lee Blues” (Cannon’s Jug Stompers) and “You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly” brought a playful, foot-tapping element, connecting Grateful Dead fans to the wider traditions of Americana.
Set 1:
- The Music Never Stopped
- Bertha
- When I Paint My Masterpiece (Bob Dylan cover)
- Loose Lucy
- It Hurts Me Too (Tampa Red cover)
- Box of Rain
- Tough Mama (Bob Dylan cover)
- Bird Song (> Jerry Garcia cover)
- Let It Grow
Set 1 featured some of the Dead’s most iconic tracks, starting with the upbeat “The Music Never Stopped” and the classic “Bertha”. The inclusion of a Bob Dylan cover, “When I Paint My Masterpiece” alongside the Dead’s own “Loose Lucy” and “Box of Rain”, gave the performance a rich, diverse feeling of both reflection and energy. The set also delved into the emotional side of the Grateful Dead legacy with “Box of Rain” and “Let It Grow”—powerful songs that spoke to the deeper soul of the band’s catalog.
Set 2:
- Shakedown Street
- The Wheel (Jerry Garcia cover)
- Corrina
- Dark Star
- Drums
- Space (New Year’s Countdown >)
- Scarlet Begonias
- Going Down the Road Feeling Bad
- Good Lovin’ (The Olympics cover)
- Sing Me Back Home (Merle Haggard cover)
The energy ramped up for Set 2, starting with the infectious grooves of “Shakedown Street” and moving into the cosmic realms with “Dark Star”, a Grateful Dead classic that never fails to send the crowd into a frenzy. The inclusion of the “Drums” and “Space” segments, with their free-form improvisation and ethereal sounds, brought the audience on a musical journey, leading into the band’s beloved hit “Scarlet Begonias”. As the set reached its climax, “Good Lovin’” and the heartfelt “Sing Me Back Home” left fans feeling both uplifted and nostalgic.
Encore:
- Woodstock (Joni Mitchell cover)
As an encore, Dark Star Orchestra closed out the night with an unexpected but fitting rendition of “Woodstock”, Joni Mitchell’s iconic song. The track, infused with the spirit of peace, love, and celebration, was a perfect choice to end the night as the band rang in the new year.
The Tribute Radio Show: A Deadhead’s Dream
On the Grateful Dead Tribute Radio Show, fans of the Grateful Dead and its vibrant legacy are in for a treat. Every song played is by live Grateful Dead cover bands, ensuring that each broadcast faithfully captures the spirit and energy of the Dead’s live performances. With Dark Star Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve 2024 performance featured in this special episode, listeners can relive the magic of the night or experience it for the first time.
From the acoustic opening to the high-energy “Shakedown Street”, the Drums and Space segments, and the emotional Woodstock encore, the broadcast offers a comprehensive snapshot of what it means to be part of the Deadhead community. Through tribute bands like Dark Star Orchestra, the essence of the Grateful Dead lives on, and the radio show allows fans to experience this timeless music wherever they are.
So, grab your headphones, tune in, and let the Grateful Dead Tribute Radio Show transport you to the heart of the music, as performed by the dedicated tribute bands who continue to carry the torch into 2025 and beyond. Happy New Year, and keep the music never stopping!
