For any performer, the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA is hallowed ground. The renowned venue is easily one of the most naturally beautiful locations for live music, with its expansive views and luscious landscapes. That Dead & Company would perform there on only their second-ever tour is truly a testament to both the legacy of the Grateful Dead, and the sheer bravado of this band. Dead & Company has been on a tear all summer long, with John Mayer and Bob Weir leading the charge. It was no exception last night.
The show opened with “Touch of Grey,” seeing the two guitarists trade off lyrics with passion. The hits kept on coming with “Hell In A Bucket” and “Dire Wolf,” before the first Bob Dylan cover of the night appeared, “When I Paint My Masterpiece.” The meat of the first set came from “Cassidy,” “Brown-Eyed Women,” and “Ramble On Rose,” before a great version of “Next Time You See Me” kept things bluesy. It was the standard “One More Saturday Night” that would bring the set to a close.
The second set allowed the band to stretch their legs more, and it was “Eyes Of The World” that got things going. They rocked through “New Speedway Boogie” and “Cumberland Blues,” before getting into a funky “Shakedown Street.” Next up afterwards was “Uncle John’s Band,” notable for Oteil Burbridge singing a verse alongside Weir and Mayer. Burbridge also joined Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart during the “Drums” segment, which got psychedelic as it wrapped into “Space.” They brought the jam into an “Uncle John’s Band” reprise before playing “Wharf Rat,” and closed the set with “Casey Jones.” The second Bob Dylan cover of the night, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” closed out the show in the encore spot, mimicking the true heaven of The Gorge.
Update: Listen to full audio here!
Check out some video highlights:
Touch Of Grey
Eyes of the World
Uncle John’s Band
Drums/Space
Casey Jones
[Photo by jamie_bourne/Instagram]