After returning to Las Vedas to continue their Sphere residency on Thursday following a two-week break, Dead & Company treated fans to an unforgettable show loaded with special surprises on Saturday.
The highlight of the first set was the band’s debut of the Jimmy Cliff-penned Jerry Garcia Band live staple “The Harder They Come”. The laid-back reggae classic saw bassist Oteil Burbridge step to the mic and handle lead vocals, which has been a rarity during this run (“Let Oteil sing!”).
Dead & Company – “The Harder They Come” – 4/18/25
[Video: Rock N Roll Videos]
Set two also included a special moment—though fans knew to expect this one. Earlier in the day, Mickey Hart announced on social media that he would be joined by special guest Renée Fleming during his “Drums” segment, which has been a nightly highlight throughout the residency.
“We’ve got something really really special planned for Drums & Space on Friday, April 18th,” he wrote. “I’ve invited my dear friend, world renowned soprano Renée Fleming, to join us. We’ll be having a high time.”
He went on to add, “I’ve been collaborating with Renée for decades. Often with my late beloved brother Zakir Hussain in the mix. Some of the best times of my life.”
When the time came at the transitory point between “Drums” and “Space”, Fleming added a wide range of expressive vocalizations to Hart’s atmospheric soundscape, pushing the transition into more avant garde territory. Ordinarily, Hart would leave the stage before his bandmates returned, but this time he stayed a little longer, and for a beautiful brief moment, he and Fleming explored the sonic ethers with the entire band.
Fleming harmonized with Mickey’s beam along with Bob Weir, John Mayer, Jeff Chimenti, and Oteil Burbridge before leaving the stage with Hart to thunderous applause. The other band members, including drummer Jay Lane, finished the “Space” segment, which ultimately gave way to a touching “Days Between”.
Check out fan-shot footage of the unique collaboration below.
Dead & Company With Renée Fleming – “Drums”, “Space” – 4/18/25
[Video: billzlose]
Setlist: Dead & Compayn | Sphere | Las Vegas, NV | 4/18/25
Set 1: Alabama Getaway, Shakedown Street, Althea, The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff) (live debut by D&C) (Oteil on lead vocals), Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Sugaree (Jerry Garcia)
Set 2: Cold Rain and Snow ([traditional]), Estimated Prophet, Eyes of the World, Row Jimmy, Drums, Space (with Renée Fleming), Days Between, Going Down the Road Feeling Bad (Traditional), Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan), Old News Broadcast of the Grateful Dead, Ripple