Dead & Company pulled no punches in Dallas on Oct. 14, nodding to the state’s recent anti-abortion ruling with a full set of women-themed songs, as well as new merchandise emblazoned with a feminist icon and the phrase “Save Our Rights.”

According to the Austin American Statesman, the law – which is currently under debate in the Texas court of appeals – “prohibits abortions after six weeks of pregnancy,” making it the most restrictive law of its kind in the U.S.

Disturbingly, the law also “allows any private individuals to sue abortion providers or those who aid or abet abortions in violation of the law. Successful litigants can collect at least $10,000.”

Bob Weir has been vocally against the ruling, even participating in a women’s march in San Francisco earlier this month.

He and his wife marched with a sign reading, “Texas: Where a virus has reproductive rights and women don’t.”

In turn, Dead & Company’s Dallas show immediately acknowledged the state’s political tension, with a “Man Smart, Woman Smarter” opener. From there, the concept of the divine feminine continued with “Bertha,” “Queen Jane Approximately,” “Brown-Eyed Women,” “Peggy-O,” “Cassidy” and a closing “Sugaree.”

Set two tipped its cap to Dallas’ nearby, historic Deep Elem neighborhood with a “Deep Elem Blues” (their first since 2019), before sinking into the evening’s most expansive segment: “Help on the Way”> “Slipknot!”> “Franklin’s Tower”> “The Other One”> “Drums”> “Space”> “Cumberland Blues.”

After “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” and “Sugar Magnolia,” the band comforted their audience once more, hammering home their pursuit of personal freedom with a “Liberty” encore.

“Dallas! Thank you for making our return to Texas so special,” the band wrote afterwards. “We love you and we will see you all tomorrow night in Houston.”

Check out clips of each set opener and the full setlist below:

Dead & Company
Oct. 14, 2021
Dos Equis Pavilion, Dallas


Set I: Man Smart Woman Smarter, Bertha, Queen Jane Approximately, Brown-Eyed Women, Peggy-O, Cassidy, Sugaree

Set II: Deep Elem Blues, Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower > The Other One > Drums > Space > Cumberland Blues, Death Don’t Have No Mercy, Sugar Magnolia

Enc: Liberty