It’s been a long time coming — 50 years, give or take a few months — that the music community will see the final shows from the band known as The Grateful Dead. For the final run of shows dubbed Fare Thee Well, the band set up two nights of celebration in Santa Clara, California (near the band’s origination in Palo Alto, CA) and three final nights in Chicago at Soldier Field, the 1995 locale of the last official Grateful Dead concerts ever with bandleader Jerry Garcia before he passed away the following month.
For anyone perhaps living under a rock, the band that they’re going out with is the surviving four founding members of Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart along with Bruce Hornsby, Jeff Chimenti, and Trey Anastasio. For fans not in attendance there will be a variety of ways that people can watch from home, so you can follow along with us as we watch…
We’ll be gathering our favorite links, photos, setlist notes, tweets, ‘grams, and many more things as they pop up on the internet here as the shows happen…
SETLISTS
The night before the shows began, the band ran a full tech rehearsal in Chicago that was loosely recorded and streamed live. Check out that recording here and check the setlist below…
SETLIST: Grateful Dead @ Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 7.2.15*
Box Of Rain, Music Never Stopped jam, Crazy Fingers, Mason’s Children, New Potato Caboose, Let It Grow, Help On The Way, Slipknot!, Lost Sailor (possibly incomplete)
* via JamBase
SETLIST: Grateful Dead @ Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 7.3.15
Set I: Box of Rain, Jack Straw, Bertha, Passenger, The Wheel^ > Crazy Fingers > The Music Never Stopped
Set II: Mason’s Children, Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain > Drums > Space > New Potato Caboose > Playing in the Band% > Space > Let It Grow > Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower
Encore: Ripple#
Notes:
^ – slow to start, Phil’s microphone was having issues.
% – jam had a “West LA Fadeaway” vibe and got really out there
# – with Bob on acoustic
Here’s a recording from WMWV Radio.
SETLIST: Grateful Dead @ Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 7.4.15
Set I: Shakedown Street, Liberty, Standing on the Moon, Me and My Uncle, Tennessee Jed, Cumberland Blues, Little Red Rooster, Friend of the Devil, Deal
Set II: Bird Song > The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion) > Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance > West LA Fadeaway, Foolish Heart > Drums > Space > Stella Blue > One More Saturday Night
Encore: US Blues*
Notes:
* – ended with fireworks display
Here’s a recording from WMWV Radio.
SETLIST: Grateful Dead @ Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 7.5.15
Set I: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Estimated Prophet, Built to Last, Samson and Delilah, Mountains of the Moon > Throwing Stones
Set II: Truckin’ > Cassidy > Althea > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > Unbroken Chain > Days Between > Not Fade Away
Encore: Touch of Grey
Encore 2: Attics of My Life
Notes:
Jay Blakesberg was tapped as the official photographer and he’s welcomed a variety of talented pros to his team for the shows, including frequent Phish photographer Dave Vann. He’s published a ton of shots on his official Facebook photography page as well as the page for the official event. Here are some of our favorites:
PHOTOS (Soundcheck 7.2.15)
PHOTOS (Night One 7.3.15)
PHOTOS (Night Two 7.4.15)
PHOTOS (Night Three 7.5.15)
TWEETS (Night One)
Here’s some of our favorite commentary from Twitter…
Gettn ready 4Soldier Field night 1‼️
Ran into my dear pal Tom on the ol' subway! @TomMarshall111 The stars R aligned pic.twitter.com/zOCUfr6Dqn— Steve Pollak (@DudeofLife17) July 3, 2015
Chicago is really showing the @GratefulDead some love.#dead50 #FareTheeWell pic.twitter.com/O6kZBEgOm1
— Grateful Gangsta (@GratefulGangsta) July 3, 2015
Come and join the party every day … Weir here! #Dead50 #FareTheeWell pic.twitter.com/6noVDe53Re
— Wesley Schmidt (@WesleySchmidt) July 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/EliVanScythe/status/617071295776342016
#Dead50 #FareTheeWell Night 1 @SoldierField Can't wait to see @treyanastasio & @brucehornsby in the @GratefulDead50 pic.twitter.com/uvxLQObtQn
— Timothy Batke (@TimmyB707) July 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/seanmcconnell/status/617119851497164800
I can't even pretend to be cynical. It's going to be a great night. #dead50 pic.twitter.com/QEota422bL
— Fuzzy Gerdes (@fuzzy) July 4, 2015
Pit was rockin #GD50 #dead50 #GratefulDead pic.twitter.com/LKYamogo59
— azn (@aznpix) July 4, 2015
https://twitter.com/dch529/status/617124787836559360
Does anyone think that 07/5/15 setlist will be the 7/9/95 setlist? Would be eerie & cool all at the same time. #FareTheeWell #dead50
— Gerry Dorsey (@hermitary) July 4, 2015
https://twitter.com/TheVic/status/617128001176739841
#FareTheeWell Chicago picks up where the Grateful Dead left off at Soldiers Field #dead50
— RPN10Again (@rpn10) July 4, 2015
Listening to a little "Box Of Rain" while throwing a few strikes @BrooklynBowl. #FareTheeWell… https://t.co/WMyXTti5Vn
— Graham Rothenberg (@grahamjams) July 4, 2015
Trey looks like he's in heaven right now! #dead50 #FareTheeWell
— Andrew P. Isch (@apisch) July 4, 2015
This is quite literally the greatest thing ever. #Dead50 pic.twitter.com/0DUJ2O6Odk
— PhishTwit (@PhishTwit) July 4, 2015
Bliss. #dead50 pic.twitter.com/OcjaF9kqeI
— Arrow (@ArrowMcDaniel) July 4, 2015
https://twitter.com/LukeReilly/status/617137413203193856
https://twitter.com/GovtFool/status/617142701683773440
Dear Highly Criticized Elaborately Expensive Santa Clara Rehearsals:
Tonight's epicness would not be possible without you. Thanks! #dead50— btothedubCO (@btothedubCO) July 4, 2015
These intermission videos are getting really trippy. #Dead50
— Purple and Lime (@purpleandlime) July 4, 2015
Intermission at #dead50 now nearly as long as first set.
— Greg Kot (@gregkot) July 4, 2015
9 seasons of Seinfeld for Phil and Bobby to watch = 3 of the longest ever set breaks to come #GD50 #FareTheeWell
— welcheerios (@welcheerios) July 4, 2015
Setlist so far for #Dead50 Chicago…. http://t.co/qUJYbfaQqY pic.twitter.com/rAyebLUJy7
— Pauly (@taopauly) July 4, 2015
https://twitter.com/UNOlker/status/617160585789181952
https://twitter.com/sigfest/status/617163690152996864
Trey has that hot Fire tone. I love it. #dead50 #FareTheeWell
— Andrew P. Isch (@apisch) July 4, 2015
Everyone at @SoldierField right now #GD50 #dead50 pic.twitter.com/acogJ5Bym5
— steve rose 📷 (@fiesta__red) July 4, 2015
"Billy is so old he looks like a retired crab fisherman" – @DoctorScotch #dead50
— Coventry Music (@CoventryMusic) July 4, 2015
Dead50 has gone into space more times than NASA
— Phish Vids (@phishvids) July 4, 2015
Everyone at @SoldierField right now #GD50 #dead50 pic.twitter.com/acogJ5Bym5
— steve rose 📷 (@fiesta__red) July 4, 2015
#dead50 re-in love with Trey
— Caz (@yogacaz) July 4, 2015
watching this #dead50 show at soldier field on periscope… just like they did in the '60's.
— Hayes MacArthur (@hayes_macarthur) July 4, 2015
Trey Haters Be Like #GD50 #TreyAnastasio #GratefulDead pic.twitter.com/SUzOJOpGGQ
— Philosophy of Phish (@Phishlosophy) July 4, 2015
Trey is singing Scarlet Begonias. The wookie's life has come full circle. #Dead50 #FareTheeWell
— Watching The Wheels (@crylikeatrain) July 4, 2015
https://twitter.com/DolphinFinger/status/617185665852162048
TWEETS (Night Two)
https://twitter.com/nixxtarxx/status/617449127685787648
Haven't seen this many fingers in the air since Hampton '09. #GD50 #FareTheeWell
— Trey Warren (@_TreyWarren) July 4, 2015
https://twitter.com/LoganJames/status/617475479457632256
https://twitter.com/mlhacker/status/617479919648509952
Happy #4thofJuly!! Celebrating #GD50 style + @HOBChicago after parties! pic.twitter.com/WDeTLVvVwP
— moe. (@moeperiod) July 4, 2015
Shakedown Street #dead50 pic.twitter.com/8A22cZyniT
— 阿佐ヶ谷 (@kita_asagaya) July 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/thephunion/status/617491442605424640
Soldier Field is about to blast off #deadattack
your trip is short.— SakuraYEM(Satoshi™) (@sakuraYEM) July 5, 2015
It's GO time. The shakedown opener you've been waiting for…. #Dead50
— Coventry Music (@CoventryMusic) July 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/justinpward/status/617493431879921665
https://twitter.com/Worfrat71/status/617493342662737921
300 level is literally shaking for Shakedown Street. #GD50 #FareTheeWell pic.twitter.com/Bp4fJuhzRb
— Trey Warren (@_TreyWarren) July 5, 2015
Phil hugged Bobby. Damn.
— Hot Takes Today Only (@PhanArt) July 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/samgustin/status/617498592731901952
https://twitter.com/RobSlater10/status/617498655780675584
https://twitter.com/foominaut/status/617499141720158208
Yup, here come the waterworks. Miss ya, Jerry. #FareTheeWell #GD50
— Mitchell Plitnick 🔥🕎 (@MJPlitnick) July 5, 2015
Phil's giving out free hugs tonight!! #GD50 #FareTheeWell
— ryan.andrew.norris (@rynormous) July 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/billkafka/status/617500312300048384
This is the song the Grateful Dead played more than any other, cover or original, all the way from 1966 to 1995. #geekery #dead50
— Scott Bernstein (@heyscottyb) July 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/samgustin/status/617502120875589633
https://twitter.com/jeffbuntin/status/617504181327269890
my favorite part of #FareTheeWell is #BobWeir 's apple watch
— olympia (@theolympia) July 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/mundodeandy/status/617508934715330560
Hey hey!!!!! #dead50 #GD50 #FareTheeWell
— Miss Manda (@the_miss_manda) July 5, 2015
The Grateful Dead only played The Golden Road live a handful of times in 1967 #dead50 #geekery
— Scott Bernstein (@heyscottyb) July 5, 2015
#dead50 #GD50chicago #gd50 pic.twitter.com/RRrMOVgq6y
— Zac Fabian (@FabianVideo) July 5, 2015
Chimenti has such beautiful hair #Pantene #dead50
— dancingn27⭕️ (@dancingn27) July 5, 2015
#dead50 pic.twitter.com/cHwHJmrh5b
— TigerRose420 (@TigerRose420) July 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/GDTRFB2/status/617551276394483712
Trey adding some sweetness to Stella blue #dead50 #GD50
— The Geoff (@geomorgs4) July 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/MadisonU/status/617553206474731520
https://twitter.com/jgroves/status/617554772837691392
US Blues 👍 #dead50 pic.twitter.com/pQv5bJyTxz
— 阿佐ヶ谷 (@kita_asagaya) July 5, 2015
TWEETS (Night Three)
Egypt 78 – found in a vintage store in Tokyo #GD50 #GratefulDead pic.twitter.com/W2jJWZZw5L
— Dan Kanter (@dankanter) July 6, 2015
The pit is filling up fast! #FareTheeWell #dead50 pic.twitter.com/K1kRpUAERk
— Tom Spano (@tomspano) July 5, 2015
Ahhh, #theview #FareTheeWell #dead50 #lastshow #ChiTown #soldierfield #treyfuldead #GratefulDead #GOGD pic.twitter.com/Na8NGEXiEF
— Mr. EProphet (@ShakedownTreats) July 5, 2015
Last time #dead50 #couchtour
— M I K E 👖🪩 (@leader_injeans) July 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/samgustin/status/617847432160935936
https://twitter.com/nicknowsky/status/617855222388539395
I believe this is the first time I've seen dancing in the aisles of the movie theater. #dead50 #GratefulDead
— tracyswartz (@tracyswartz) July 6, 2015
Y'all!!!! @BillMurray is there!!!!! #nevermissasundayshow #dead50 #GD50 #FareTheeWell pic.twitter.com/OwidN0UsNM
— Miss Manda (@the_miss_manda) July 6, 2015
Sampson and Delilah is officially a sing along. They got the crowd. #dead50 #gd50 pic.twitter.com/V4LWkRqbDj
— Sean Roche (@sroche33) July 6, 2015
Never miss a Sunday show.#GratefulDead #dead50
— JanJan (@darkstar1969) July 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/royse/status/617868786146897920
Bob Weir: 'You can buy the whole damn government today…'#FareTheeWell #GD50
— Griff (@AuthorGriffin) July 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/sammy996a/status/617869994865631232/photo/1
Nothing like seeing the @GratefulDead on LSD*
*Lake Shore Drive#GD50 #FareTheeWell
— Mark (@MarkMizzouSteel) July 6, 2015
#dead50 #gd50 #faretheewell pic.twitter.com/sm7YZPmQ5J
— Big Sid (@WrathOtheStache) July 6, 2015
Last set of #Dead50. Smoke em if you got em. Jerry woulda wanted it that way. Set 2 opener is… Truckin
— Coventry Music (@CoventryMusic) July 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/BobGendron25/status/617887333933817856
Cassidy!!! Now we are gonna start groovin' #GD50 #FareTheeWell #FinalSet #Emotional
— Andy Petrone🇺🇸🌵⚡ (@AndyPetrone) July 6, 2015
Mickey Hart always promoting the Merch table :-) #dead50
— Marty McDonald (@martymjm) July 6, 2015
#dead50 " His job is to shed light…not to master". #TerrapinStation pic.twitter.com/lv1AM2HqEy
— Teddy Luv (@stellablu122) July 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/UNOlker/status/617897341073252352
Bobby Weir sporting a "Let Trey Sing" shirt for Touch of Grey #Dead50 pic.twitter.com/wGAZ4Xhyan
— David Siegel (@DavidSiegel) July 6, 2015
VIDEOS (Night One)
Here’s some stuff that has surfaced so far…
