Dead & Company returned to the stage at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA on Friday. The concert was the band’s first back after canceling its Saratoga Performing Arts Center show on Wednesday after guitarist/vocalist John Mayer‘s father suffered a medical emergency.

The cover-heavy first set began with “Man Smart, Woman Smarter” as the band once again flashed the pink female symbol used on night one at Wrigley Field following the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade last month. Set one would see the band once again speak for its audience as Dead & Company crafted a biting setlist of disapproval, continuing with “New Speedway Boogie” as Bob Weir lamented “One way or another, this darkness has got to give.”

John Mayer chimed in next with his statement of support, “It Hurts Me Too”, throwing all of his bluesy intonations behind the Elmore James cover. The first “Peggy-O” of the 2022 summer tour came next, as the band followed it up with”Cold Rain and Snow” before setting up a pairing of “China Doll” with Bobby’s ever-relevant rocker “Throwing Stones” as he spat “Money green’s the only way you can buy the whole goddamn government today.” Dead & Company then capped off the set with an energetic “Don’t Ease Me In”.

Dead & Company – “Man Smart, Woman Smarter” (King Radio) [Pro-Shot] – 7/8/22

Back for another round, the Grateful Dead offshoot began set two with the consummate opener “Sugaree”. JonBo’s incendiary guitar work lit the match for the second frame, which kicked into gear with “Playing in the Band” before meeting up with “Uncle John’s Band” and then launching into “Lady With A Fan” and the crescendo of “Terrapin Station”.

The locomotive then pulled into the “Drums” and “Space” segment, as Jay Lane and Mickey Hart kept the momentum rolling through “Going Down The Road Feelin’ Bad”. Bobby got a chance to complete “Playing in the Band” before moving into “Stella Blue” and finally Bobby “Blue” Bland‘s “Turn On Your Lovelight” to finish the set. Returning for the encore, Mayer took Jiffy Lube Live for a walk along the “Black Muddy River”.

Dead & Company – “Sugaree” [Pro-Shot] – 7/8/22

Dead & Company’s tour continues on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA.

Setlist: Dead & Company | Jiffy Lube Live | Bristow, VA | 7/8/22

Set One: Man Smart, Woman Smarter (King Radio), New Speedway Boogie, It Hurts Me Too (Elmore James), Peggy-O (Traditional) [1], Cold Rain and Snow (Traditional), China Doll > Throwing Stones, Don’t Ease Me In (Traditional)

Set Two: Sugaree, Playing in the Band > Uncle John’s Band > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > Going Down the Road Feelin’ Bad (Traditional) > Playing in the Band > Stella Blue > Turn On Your Love Light (Bobby “Blue” Bland)

Encore: Black Muddy River

[1] Tour debut

[2] w/ Santo and Johnny’s “Sleepwalk” tease

Jay Lane on drums in place of Bill Kreutzmann