UPDATE [6/2/27]: The band has released an official statement regarding the security threat at their 5/31/17 performance: 

Last night, a performance at the Hollywood Bowl was briefly interrupted while on-site authorities investigated an unfounded bomb threat that was called in during the concert. Because the safety of our patrons is paramount, we immediately initiated a thorough search of the area that turned up no evidence validating the threat. Hollywood Bowl security always includes onsite law enforcement officers, explosive detection dogs and metal detectors at all entrances to the venue. The concert resumed without further incident.

Last night, Dead & Company made their way to Hollywood Bowl for their first of two performances at the fabled LA bandshell. Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, and Jeff Chimenti delivered a well-played show in the third show of their summer tour, but the pervading story of the night was not the music, but rather an unsettling turn of events in the second half of the show.

The first set primed the pumps with an impressive “Shakedown Street” opener, a top-notch sing-along stretch featuring classics “Ramble On Rose,” “Cumberland Blues,” and “Althea,” and a boogying “Promised Land.” You can watch official pro-shot footage of the first few songs below, courtesy of the band’s YouTube channel:

After a second set-opening “Truckin,” the band dove into “He’s Gone,” but during the final refrains of the classic tune, security ran onstage and proceeded to whisper in the band members’ ears. Moments later, all of the stage and house lights went down, leaving concert-goers in the dark–both literally and metaphorically–for roughly 7 minutes of confusion and uneasiness. Eventually, the lights came up and the band returned to the stage. Weir somewhat cryptically informed the crowd that it was “all clear…kinda,” and the band jumped back into “He’s Gone,” picking up where they left off before turning into “Help On The Way” > “Slipknot!” > “Franklin’s Tower” and continuing the show as planned. You can watch fan-shot footage of the “Help” > “Slip” > “Franklin’s” that followed the post-scare “He’s Gone ‘Reprise'” below, via YouTube user Nala ThaBoxer:

 

You can watch a news package from the local CBS affiliate about the confusion at last night’s Dead & Co show in Hollywood below, featuring footage of the “blackout” and security with dogs surveying the area [Note: In the clip, the news anchors amusingly joke that they are not surprised at the lack of comment from the band, as “rock and roll bands don’t like to get up too early, do they?”]:

Despite the unsettling situation at the Hollywood Bowl last night, it appears to have been largely a false alarm marked more by widespread confusion and nervousness among the fans than by any true danger. The LA police were not called, and everything essentially went back to normal following the brief uncertainty. Several fans have reported online that it seemed as though the situation was all in reaction to some fans throwing an “unidentified” big bag of green plant matter (**wink wink**) onto the stage. So far, no information on the incident has been confirmed by any of the involved parties.

However, With last week’s terror attacks at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester still fresh in everyone’s mind, the strange situation at the Hollywood Bowl last night was a sobering reminder that bad things can (and sometimes do) happen at large events like this, and we should probably feel thankful for some of the newly increased security measures at such events, even if it takes a few more minutes to get inside. We’re glad everyone’s ok!

You can listen to full audio of the show below courtesy of taper Jeff Frank:

You can also enjoy a beautiful gallery of photos below, courtesy of photographer Steve Rose.

SETLIST: Dead & Company | Hollywood Bowl | Hollywood, CA | 5/31/17

Set 1: Shakedown Street, Cold Rain & Snow, Black Throated Wind, Ramble On Rose, Cumberland Blues, Althea, Promised Land

Set 2: Truckin’ > He’s Gone, Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower > Drums > Space > Stella Blue, Sugar Magnolia

Encore: Ripple

The band returns to the Hollywood Bowl tonight to complete their two-night run. For more information on upcoming Dead & Co dates, head to the band’s website.

[Video via CBS Los Angeles]