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CBS News
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Deadheads flock to Golden Gate Park for second day of Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary celebrations
Tens of thousands of Deadheads packed San Francisco's Golden Gate Park on Saturday for the second day of a three-day concert series honoring the Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary. Fans traveled from across the country—and some from overseas—to take part in the milestone celebration. The show kicked off just after 4 p.m. on the Polo Field, which quickly filled as more concertgoers streamed in through the evening. Country rocker Sturgill Simpson opened the day's performances, with Dead & Company slated to headline later in the night. "Nothing's more important than going to a Dead show, man. It's the bomb," said Frank McGloin, a local fan from the Bay Area. The festivities extended well beyond the main stage. Earlier in the day, hundreds gathered in the city's Excelsior District—where Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia grew up—for the 23rd annual Jerry Day at McLaren Park. At the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, musicians filled the air with bluegrass and rock music, while fans danced barefoot in the grass and celebrated his legacy. "It's medicine music," said Antonio Aversano, a Deadhead from Sebastopol. "It's very spiritual—it's like going to church. It totally takes me out of my head and brings me into a connection with the divine." For Aversano, the entire weekend has been transformative. "The energy of the Summer of Love, the whole counterculture in the '60s—peace, love, community, celebration," he said. Many fans who attended Friday night's opening show planned to immerse themselves in every event throughout the weekend. "I think the Deadheads are probably the nicest, kindest people you'll ever meet in your life," said Maria Pruss, a fan from Southern California. "Huge community, big hearts." Deanna Neiers, who traveled from New York City with her two children, ages 7 and 9, brought a personal touch to the celebration. She and her kids designed and handed out custom-made stickers to commemorate the anniversary. "We made this special sticker to hand out to commemorate the 60th anniversary," Neiers said. "We've printed a bunch of them and we love the community. So we're just handing them out for free to everybody." A Deadhead for 35 years, Neiers said she attended Jerry Garcia's final concert in Chicago in 1995. "We wouldn't miss the chance to celebrate the 60th anniversary," she added. The concert series is also giving San Francisco's economy a welcome boost. City officials said hotels, restaurants, and local shops are seeing increased business from the influx of visitors. "When people come from all 50 states, all around the world, and they have a great time, which they are, they go home, they tell their friends, and those friends come back to San Francisco," said Mayor Daniel Lurie. "And we're going to welcome them with open arms." For Serena Cisco, who flew in from Nashville, the city's warm welcome stood out. It was her first visit in three decades. "Happy to be here. Thank you, San Francisco, for putting this on. The city has been so welcoming," she said. Though decades have passed since the Grateful Dead first took the stage, their music—and its messages of resilience and hope—continue to resonate deeply with fans. "The legacy of Jerry Garcia is certainly a message of positivity and hope," said Henry Wimmer of Open Mind Music. And for many Deadheads, like Aversano, the gathering is about more than just music. "This is about community. It's about getting along together. It's about celebrating life," he said. For those in attendance, there's little that compares to the feeling of being at a Dead show.
San Francisco Chronicle
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Grateful Dead 60th anniversary in Golden Gate Park: What you need to know
Dead & Company will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead with a blockbuster three-night run in Golden Gate Park from Friday-Sunday, Aug. 1-3, drawing an estimated 60,000 fans per day to the Polo Field. For diehard Deadheads and first-time pilgrims alike, Golden Gate Park will once again be a sacred gathering spot — a celebration of music, memory and the enduring magic of the legendary jam band. Who is performing each night? Each evening opens with a special guest: bluegrass virtuoso Billy Strings on Friday, Aug. 1; Sturgill Simpson (performing as Johnny Blue Skies) on Saturday, Aug. 2; and Trey Anastasio Band on Sunday, Aug. 3. Following each performer's 75-minute sets, Dead & Company — led by original Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart, with John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti and Jay Lane — will headline the festivities. When and where are the concerts? Dates: Friday-Sunday, Aug. 1-3 Venue: Polo Field, Golden Gate Park Fans can begin lining up no earlier than two hours before gates open. What to know about park road closures Expect wide-reaching park closures. The Polo Field will be off-limits through Aug. 20. Key roadways, including Middle Drive and parts of JFK Drive, will close to vehicles — and, in some cases, to pedestrians and cyclists — especially during the concert window. How to get to the shows Public transit is the recommended route. Muni will boost service on the 5-Fulton and N-Judah lines, offering free rides to ticket holders via the Your Ticket, Your Fare program. Bike parking is available onsite, and local shuttles will operate to and from central San Francisco. Where to find Shakedown Street and exclusive merch Shakedown Street, the open-air market synonymous with Dead tours, returns as a fully sanctioned event along JFK Promenade during the three-day concert. Nearly 100 vendors will line JFK Promenade between Transverse and Blue Heron Lake streets from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Expect everything from tie-dye and tapestries to grilled cheese and incense. A Dead & Company Pop-Up Shop at Polk Hall in the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (99 Grove St.) will also operate 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, July 30–Aug. 3. The shop will feature exclusive merchandise and collectibles not available at the concert site. The store is cashless. Ticket info and how to watch from home Original general admission weekend passes started at $635, with VIP tiers reaching up to $9,548. Though tickets are sold out, fans at home can stream all three nights via in HD or 4K. On Sunday, Aug. 3, the final show will also screen live in select IMAX theaters nationwide. What to bring — and what to leave at home Bag policy: Clear bags preferred; small non-clear purses allowed (max 6-by-8-by- 3 inches). Hydration packs: Allowed if under 2.5L and with no extra compartments. Chairs and seating: No personal chairs or metal-framed seating. Blankets under 2-by-3 feet are allowed. Prohibited: Oversized blankets, tarps, inflatables and unattended belongings. More Grateful Dead events across San Francisco Other citywide events will stretch into the fall, including art exhibitions, after-parties, tribute concerts, panel discussions and special performances — from Jerry Day in McLaren Park to the San Francisco Giants' Grateful Dead tribute night at Oracle Park on Aug. 12.
Washington Post
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Tyler Childers looks to the alt-country future
Tyler Childers could have done whatever he wanted. The Kentuckian singer-songwriter broke through in 2017 with 'Purgatory,' a collection of immediately satisfying neo-traditional country songs produced by fellow alt-country journeyman Sturgill Simpson. Within a few years, Childers was playing arenas — sometimes with Simpson — where audiences sang along to 2019's 'All Your'n' like it was 'I Will Always Love You.' Detours followed quickly: In 2020, he released 'Long Violent History,' which was almost entirely instrumental fiddle music. A triple-album of gospel songs followed in 2022, before 2023's 'Rustin' in the Rain,' which contained only five original songs.
San Francisco Chronicle
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
400 Grateful Dead banners to fly across San Francisco as 60th anniversary celebrations begin
With more than 400 Grateful Dead -themed banners displayed across San Francisco, the city is diving headfirst into a multi-week celebration of the legendary band's 60th anniversary. City leaders hope the effort will bolster local businesses and tourism during a crucial phase of economic recovery. The concerts are expected to draw 60,000 fans nightly, with special guests including Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson (as Johnny Blue Skies) and the Trey Anastasio Band. 'San Francisco is coming alive to celebrate 60 years of the Grateful Dead,' Mayor Daniel Lurie said in a statement marking the official kickoff Tuesday, July 22. 'Our bars and restaurants will be packed, our hotels will be booked, our neighborhoods will come alive, and there will be more revenue to fund the services that benefit all San Franciscans.' Hotel demand between July 31 and Aug. 3 has surged by more than 50%, according to city officials — a spike that has them optimistic about exceeding nearly $31 million in economic impact generated by Dead & Company's 2023 visit to Oracle Park. To ease the flow of concertgoers, Muni will provide expanded service on the 5 Fulton and N Judah lines, and offer free rides to ticket holders through the 'Your Ticket, Your Fare' program. Shakedown Street, the unofficial open-air market synonymous with Dead tours, returns as a fully sanctioned event along JFK Promenade during the three-day concert. Nearly 100 vendors are expected. 'It's a vibrant, colorful bazaar of modern-day hippies selling their wares,' said organizer Molly Henderson. Other c itywide events will stretch into the fall, including art exhibitions, after-parties, tribute concerts, panel discussions and special performances — from Jerry Day in McLaren Park to the San Francisco Giants' Grateful Dead tribute night at Oracle Park on Aug. 12. 'This three-day festival is more than just an anniversary — it's a homecoming,' said Phil Ginsburg, general manager of San Francisco Recreation and Parks, in a statement. 'It promises the kind of energy, joy, and soulful creativity that only Deadheads can bring.' Meanwhile, the Grateful Dead announced Tuesday that a 50th anniversary deluxe edition of its album 'Blues for Allah' will be released Sept. 12, featuring a newly remastered album and nearly two hours of unreleased live and rehearsal recordings. The set captures the band's groundbreaking 1975 comeback with rare performances and restored audio from original analog tapes.
San Francisco Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Dead & Company, Outside Lands bring weeks of closures to Golden Gate Park
San Francisco's Golden Gate Park is gearing up for a packed summer concert season, prompting a wave of closures that will reshape access to much of the park for nearly a month. From late July through August, Another Planet Entertainment will host a series of large-scale concerts, including a three-night run by Dead & Company from Aug. 1-3 marking the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead, its annual Outside Lands festival from Aug. 8-10 and a one-night performance by Zach Bryan and Kings of Leon on Aug. 15. The Polo Field, the primary concert venue for the summer events, will be off-limits from July 23 to Aug. 20. Lindley Meadow, Hellman Hollow, Marx Meadow and several other open spaces will close on staggered dates through mid-August. Middle Drive, a key east-west artery, will be closed to vehicles for the full stretch of the concert series. Portions of John F. Kennedy Drive will also be shut down — not just to cars, but also to pedestrians and cyclists — from July 29 to Aug. 18. The closures coincide with a flurry of performances, including Sturgill Simpson (performing as Johnny Blue Skies) for the Dead celebration, and festival performers Beck, Doja Cat, Hozier and Tyler, the Creator. Additional detours will impact bicycles and cars, with Martin Luther King Jr. Drive limited to one-way traffic on non-show days and fully closed during concerts. Organizers say the extended timeline allows for the reuse of infrastructure between events. Permit fees — including an estimated $750,000 from the Aug. 15 show alone — will help fund park maintenance and public programming.
