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
It's like a hippie Disneyland. #dead50
— Eli Van Sickel (@EliVanScythe) July 3, 2015
#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
#FareTheeWell pano #Dead50 pic.twitter.com/xLTLNefmVk
— Sean McConnell (@seanmcconnell) July 3, 2015
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
— Andrea Z Nusinov (@andreanusinov) July 4, 2015
I haven't smelled this much patchouli in two decades. #GD50 #FareTheeWell
— David Hernandez (@dch529) July 4, 2015
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
— ✝ J ✝ (@hermitary) July 4, 2015
#LetPhilSing Box Of Rain #dead50 #LetTreyShred pic.twitter.com/KsxsHmfNhD
— TheVic (@TheVic) July 4, 2015
#FareTheeWell Chicago picks up where the Grateful Dead left off at Soldiers Field #dead50
— RP N10 (@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
— Emmers (@EmilySMcD) July 4, 2015
Dollars to doughnuts that kid in the front row will go home and pick up a guitar for the first time and then never put it down #GD50
— Luke Reilly (@LukeReilly) July 4, 2015
#GratefulDead #dead50 Has the fact that we are live tweeting a Grateful Dead show really sunken in yet with you all?
— FareTheWellFool (@GovtFool) July 4, 2015
Dear Highly Criticized Elaborately Expensive Santa Clara Rehearsals: Tonight's epicness would not be possible without you. Thanks! #dead50
— Brian Doubleyou (@btothedubkc) 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
— Brody Welch (@welcheerios) July 4, 2015
Setlist so far for #Dead50 Chicago…. http://t.co/qUJYbfaQqY pic.twitter.com/rAyebLUJy7
— Pauly (@taopauly) July 4, 2015
Set 2 underway …. #Dead50 pic.twitter.com/C1kTfoB6Cl
— (._.) ~ ︵ ɹǝʞʃO∀ᴎ⅁∀W (@UNOlker) July 4, 2015
Never a big @phish guy but really enjoying @treyanastasio with GratefulDead #dead50 #FareTheeWell.
— sig (@sigfest) July 4, 2015
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
— Stephen Rose (@ramblinrosebud) 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
— Stephen Rose (@ramblinrosebud) 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
— Brent (@crylikeatrain) July 4, 2015
Maybe I should see some Phish shows this dude ain't half bad #Dead50
— Randolph Infinger (@DolphinFinger) July 4, 2015
TWEETS (Night Two)
Seriously, $10.50 for domestic pounders? WTF, Soldier Field? #Dead50 #GD50 #FareTheeWell
— Nix Pix (@nixxtarxx) July 4, 2015
Haven't seen this many fingers in the air since Hampton '09. #GD50 #FareTheeWell
— Trey Warren (@_TreyWarren) July 4, 2015
It's both an appropriate nod as well as a fuck-you to Deadheads that Soldier Field is selling grilled cheese sandwiches for $10 #dead50
— Logan Smith (@LoganJames) July 4, 2015
#dead50 pic.twitter.com/nlDO1YvHXp
— Michelle Hacker (@mlhacker) July 4, 2015
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
What the fuck @treyanastasio? Hook these #realfans up pic.twitter.com/DsZKFsOBzM
— The Phunion (@thephunion) July 5, 2015
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
Keys are louder tonight. #FareTheeWell #dead50
— Justin Ward (@justinpward) July 5, 2015
BRUUUUUUUUUCE! #dead50 finally in the mix!
— Daniel Dawson (@Worfrat71) July 5, 2015
300 level is literally shaking for Shakedown Street. #GD50 #FareTheeWell pic.twitter.com/Bp4fJuhzRb
— Trey Warren (@_TreyWarren) July 5, 2015
Phil hugged Bobby. Damn.
— PhanArt Pete (@PhanArt) July 5, 2015
WOW. Trey takes Standing on the Moon in the Jerry ballad slot. #dead50 #FareTheeWell pic.twitter.com/egEWK3zRxZ
— Sam Gustin (@samgustin) July 5, 2015
Yep. Crying.
— Rob Slater (@RobSlater10) July 5, 2015
On July 4th, 2015 the Grateful Dead performed "Standing On The Moon" with Trey Anastasio on guitar. #fact #FARETHEEWELL #DEAD50
— FT (@foominaut) July 5, 2015
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
That was so good, Phil have trey a hug #FareTheeWell
— bill (@billkafka) July 5, 2015
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
Tennessee Jed. Another fan favorite. Trey's turned up, so he'll nail lead. Nice vocals Bruce. #dead50 #FareTheeWell pic.twitter.com/PKPxacuum3
— Sam Gustin (@samgustin) July 5, 2015
That Tennessee Jed was the best song of the entire run so far, IMHO. #FareTheeWell #dead50
— Jeff Buntin (@jeffbuntin) July 5, 2015
my favorite part of #FareTheeWell is #BobWeir 's apple watch
— olympia (@theolympia) July 5, 2015
FRIEND OF THE DEVIL!!!! #dead50
— Anderson Oliveira (@mundodeandy) July 5, 2015
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
— Fabian Productions (@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
最初のサビが回ってきてボビーが伸ばさないで短くステラブルゥって歌ったところで、ウギャァ〜〜って叫んだオーデイエンスの誰か。気持ちはわかる。100%同意する。 #dead50 #faretheewell
— ナツ-ナギフジ (@GDTRFB2) July 5, 2015
Trey adding some sweetness to Stella blue #dead50 #GD50
— The Geoff (@geomorgs4) July 5, 2015
"All the years combine, they melt into a dream." A nice Stella Blue. Now on to "One More Saturday Night," and this is the last one. #Dead50
— Madison Underwood (@MadisonU) July 5, 2015
Donor Rap – I'm calling it. #dead50 #couchtour
— Jim Groves (@jgroves) July 5, 2015
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
— IG: @tomspano (@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
I second this emotion. #dead50 #FareTheeWell pic.twitter.com/qQuX0NYcfv
— Sam Gustin (@samgustin) July 6, 2015
Last night #dead50 #FareTheeWell Playing in the band at Solider Field #GDtruckin pic.twitter.com/2BEd7SWQWn
— Nicholas Tarnowsky (@nicknowsky) July 6, 2015
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
Mountains of the Moon. *last played 7/12/69. Jerry said it was "one of my favorite ones." #Dead50 #FareTheeWell #GratefulDead
— David Royse (@royse) July 6, 2015
Bob Weir: 'You can buy the whole damn government today…' #FareTheeWell #GD50
— Author Griffin (@AuthorGriffin) July 6, 2015
#GD50 pic.twitter.com/nrEhiM0b7Q
— Mike Rubenstein (@sammy996a) July 6, 2015
Nothing like seeing the @GratefulDead on LSD* *Lake Shore Drive #GD50 #FareTheeWell
— Mark (@MarkMizzouSteel) July 6, 2015
#dead50 #gd50 #faretheewell pic.twitter.com/sm7YZPmQ5J
— Sidney Tyler Smith (@sidtysmith) 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
"What a long strange trip it's been." Dead begin final sprint of career with "Truckin'." #dead50
— Bob Gendron (@BobGendron25) July 6, 2015
Cassidy!!! Now we are gonna start groovin' #GD50 #FareTheeWell #FinalSet #Emotional
— Andy Petrone (@AzGolfGuy) 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
Inspiration move me brightly … #dead50 pic.twitter.com/cBUD450dWd
— (._.) ~ ︵ ɹǝʞʃO∀ᴎ⅁∀W (@UNOlker) July 6, 2015
Bobby Weir sporting a "Let Trey Sing" shirt for Touch of Grey #Dead50 pic.twitter.com/wGAZ4Xhyan
— David Siegel (@TheDaveSiegel) July 6, 2015
VIDEOS (Night One)
Here’s some stuff that has surfaced so far…