After dropping a major hint on social media yesterday, LOCKN’ has confirmed that Dead & Company will headline their 6th annual event. The four-day music festival takes place in Arrington, VA at Infinity Downs Farm from August 23-26. The Grateful Dead torchbearers–comprised of original members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann as well as guitarist/vocalist John Mayer, bassist Oteil Burbridge, and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti–will perform four sets over the course of two nights, marking their first multi-night stint at a major festival, and just their second festival appearance (after Bonnaroo 2016).
Over the years, the festival has made itself a home to many of the original members of the Grateful Dead. Last year, LOCKN’ hosted Phil Lesh and Bob Weir’s one-time-only performance of the iconic album Terrapin Station in honor of its 40th anniversary. However, while various members of the original Grateful Dead lineup have made their way onto the bill each year since the festival’s inception in 2013, Dead & Company has still yet to perform at the festival as a collective unit.
“The Grateful Dead played legendary shows at Monterey Pop, the US Festival, and Woodstock, but their heyday occurred before the modern music festivals we know today emerged,” explains LOCKN’ organizer Peter Shapiro to Rolling Stone. “We are honored to have Dead & Company headline back-to-back nights because it’s so rare. This festival was built on the spirit of the Grateful Dead so their performance is going to be a very big deal for Deadheads everywhere.”
LOCKN’ will continue to reveal their 2018 lineup through social media posts over the next week, with one announcement per day starting tomorrow. The full lineup will be announced on Thursday, February 8th, with Tier 1 tickets going on sale on Friday, February 9th. Three- and four-day weekend passes will also be available this year. For more information, head to the festival’s website.
After their Playing In The Sand destination event and a trio of fall tour make-up dates in February, Dead & Company will embark on their summer tour beginning May 30th at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA. The tour will take them across the country before eventually finishing with two nights in Boulder, CO for the band’s annual pilgrimage to Folsom Field. Head to the band’s website for more information on upcoming dates.
[Cover photo: Phierce Photo by Keith G. ]