Dark Star Orchestra made a stop at Charleston Music Hall on Thursday, April 4th to remember the end of 1977 at the Winterland Ballroom. With the addition of their traditional setlist, Dark Star Orchestra played an extended encore to treat the crowd in one of America’s most beloved cities.

Per the original setlist, “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo” offered a brief pause toward “Me and My Uncle”. After this sequence, Lisa Mackey walked out early into the first set signaling a definite late 70’s setlist. Mackey teamed with Eaton, Jeff Mattson (Lead Guitar), and Rob Barraco (Keys) brought smooth and seasoned harmonies to the Workingman’s Dead “Dire Wolf”. DSO played a heartfelt rendition of “Looks Like Rain” with the traditional gritty squawk from Eaton with a matching peak from Mattson on guitar.

“Row Jimmy” began the next sequence with a sentimental slide guitar in the first solo followed by quick-paced “Big River”, and an ode to the Appalachian folk tune “Peggy-O”. A powerful “Passenger” got the Music Hall crowd roaring and ready for a quick paced 70’s-esque “Ramble on Rose”. An authoritative “Let it Grow” brought an extra peak to the close of the first set as Mattson pushed the band both up and down.

The second set saw “Samson and Delilah” and “Ship of Fools” in the leadoff spot move the crowd up and down before heading into the meat of the show. The next transition into a thicker interpretation of “Estimated Prophet” showed off Mattson’s ability to match Garcia’s tone.

“Eyes of the World” followed, giving way to the most mind-altering and challenging piece of the night. Within its passage to “St. Stephen”, Dark Star Orchestra played into a subtly Latin-style solo with Mattson’s lead. As the finalé, “Sugar Magnolia” closed with a powerful end to one of the top shows of 1977.

The expected encore of “U.S. Blues” > “Good Lovin’” happened as the band bowed out. Dark Star Orchestra treated Charleston to an unexpected 3rd encore of The Band’s “The Weight”. Surprisingly, Barraco and Mackey took the second verse with an impeccable harmonization while Skip Vangelas (Bass) was finally heard in the fourth verse.

Setlist: Dark Star Orchestra | Charleston Music Hall | Charleston, SC | 4/4/19

I: Mississippi Half-Step Toodeloo > Me and My Uncle > Dire Wolf > Looks Like Rain > Row Jimmy > Big River > Peggy-O > Ramble on Rose > Let it Grow

II: Samson and Delilah > Ship of Fools > Estimated Prophet > Eyes of the World > St. Stephen > Sugar Magnolia

E: U.S. Blues > Good Lovin’

E: The Weight