If you’re a Saratogian, you’ll know that on any day there’s a jam band in town—whether it be Dave Matthews Band, Phish or Dead & Company (the latter was in town on June 18)—driving past or anywhere near the Saratoga Performing Arts Center should be done at one’s own risk. Translation: The traffic is literally impossible.
Thankfully, if you’re a fan of any of these bands—especially, The Grateful Dead (and its many post-Jerry Garcia offshoots)—traffic is inconsequential. It’s the music that matters. And, say, you don’t have a ticket to get in? There’s always “a miracle.”
Last night’s performance didn’t disappoint. Dead & Company—which is comprised of former Dead members Bob Weir on guitar and dual drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, along with Grammy-winning guitarist/pop songwriter John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge on bass/drums and Jeff Chimenti on keyboards—played a pair of sets, peppered with numbers by The Dead (“Hell in a Bucket,” “Cumberland Blues”); and a selection of covers, including Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece” and The Beatles’ “Dear Prudence.” The band played a two-song encore of Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour” and “Playing in the Band” (reprise).
Contributing photographer Francesco D’Amico was on hand for the show. Take a look at his photographs in the above gallery.
