Photo via @deadandcompany on Instagram, taken by Chris Phelps

On Dec. 27 and 28, Dead & Company brought their Fun Run to Los Angeles for two shows at the Forum. The nights were highlighted with a pairing of “Playing in the Band” > “Terrapin Station” on Dec. 27 and a “Viola Lee Blues” sandwich on Dec. 28.

Dec. 27’s show began with “Alabama Getaway,” followed by “Ramble On Rose.” Dead & Co. kept the classic rolling during this set with renditions of “They Love Each Other,” “Me And My Uncle,” “Cassidy” and “Brown Eyed Women.” The set closed with “Don’t Ease Me In.”

Set two on the 27th featured a massive “Playing In The Band,” clocking in at nearly 18 minutes. The band followed it up with a performance of “Terrapin Station” before moving into “China Doll.” Next came “The Other One,” which led into the “Drums/Space” section. The band returned to “The Other One” out of the space before transitioning into “Wharf Rat.” The set closed with a spirited “U.S. Blues,” and D&C sent fans home with a gentle “Ripple” as the encore.

Dec. 28’s show began with a “Viola Lee Blues” sandwich, with “Bertha” serving as the meat in the middle. After a standard “Jack Straw,” Dead & Co. treated fans to a bustout of “Big Boss Man” before guitarist John Mayer led them through “Friend of the Devil.” Next came the slinky groove of “West L.A. Fadeaway,” followed by the pairing of “Lost Sailor” > “Saint of Circumstance” to close the set.

“Viola Lee Blues” kicked off the second set as well, before giving way to another classic duo of songs: “China Cat Sunflower” and “I Know You Rider.” Next came one of the evening’s highlights: a 17-minute improvisatory exploration in the form of “Dark Star.” As the jam fizzled, the band quickly moved into “He’s Gone” before delving back into the jamming abyss with “Drums” > “Space.” “Althea” emerged from the space, followed by the always-emotional “Morning Dew.” Fittingly, “One More Saturday Night” closed the jam-packed Saturday show. Dead & Co. then returned to the stage for a rendition of The Band’s “The Weight” as the encore.

Dead & Company return to the stage tonight at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Visit deadandcompany.com for more information, and head to their YouTube channel for videos from the Forum shows. Check out the full setlists from both shows in Los Angeles below (via our Box Scores section)!

Dead & Company
Dec. 27, 2019
The Forum Los Angeles, CA
Set I: Alabama Getaway, Ramble On Rose, They Love Each Other, Me And My Uncle, Cassidy, Brown Eyed Women, Don’t Ease Me In

Set II: Playing In The Band, Terrapin Station, China Doll, The Other One > Drums > Space > The Other One > Wharf Rat, US Blues

Enc: Ripple

Dead & Company
Dec. 28, 2019
The Forum Los Angeles, CA
Set I: Viola Lee Blues > Bertha > Viola Lee Blues > Jack Straw, Big Boss Man, Friend of the Devil, West L.A. Fadeaway, Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance

Set II: Viola Lee Blues > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Dark Star > He’s Gone > Drums > Space > Althea, Morning Dew > One More Saturday Night

Enc: The Weight