Photo Credit: Casey Martin

On June 1, Dead & Company continued the Southern route of their final tour. After a gig in Charlotte, N.C., earlier this week, the group ascended to Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, N.C., for their Thursday night follow-up. During the concert, the ensemble worked through several beloved songs, including a stunning pairing of Traffic’s “Dear Mr. Fantasy” with The Beatles’ “Hey Jude Reprise” during the first half of the night, which came before the second set delivery of “St. Stephen,” “William Tell Bridge,” “The Eleven” and “Iko Iko.” 

Bobby Weir and John Mayer started the night, trading lyrics on a fiery rendition of “New Speedway Boogie.” The tempo shifted with the arrival of “They Love Each Other,” the tender love song kicked open the door for an ensuing rendition of Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried,” which saw an “Easy Wind” follow-up. Fan favorites continued with “Ramble on Rose,” a song that preluded an impressive display of “Dear Mr. Fantasy” into “Hey Jude Reprise.” For the final piece of the first frame, the group chose “Bird Song” before soaring into their set break. 

Upon their return, Dead & Company picked up the Jerry Garcia-penned “Sugaree” prior to an impressive run-through of “St. Stephen,” “William Tell Bridge” and “The Eleven.” Next, Weir led the crowd through “Iko Iko,” which merged into the Mickey Hart-led “Drums” and “Space” segment, which saw an interplay of elements steeped in the famed percussionist’s fortified rhythm. 

From the instrumental depths of Hart’s second set delivery, the rest of the band returned, pushing through the cosmos and arriving on “I Need a Miracle,” which ran into “Wharf Rat” and a set-ending rendition of “Casey Jones.” For the night’s encore, the group of players landed on “Black Muddy River,” sung by Mayer. The final song marked the conclusion of Dead & Company’s time in Raleigh, N.C. Next, the group will take the stage on Saturday, June 3, at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Va. 

For those unable to attend shows in person, watch every night of Dead & Company’s final tour on nugs.net. Stream the shows live or on-demand with 48-hour replay. 

Scroll down to view last night’s setlist. 

Dead & Company 

Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek – Raleigh, N.C. 

June 1, 2023 

Set 1: New Speedway Boogie, They Love Each Other, Mama Tried, Easy Wind, Ramble on Rose, Dear Mr. Fantasy > Dear Jude, Bird Song 

Set II: Sugaree, St. Stephen > William Tell Bridge > The Eleven, Iko Iko, Drums > Space > I Need a Miracle > Wharf Rat, Casey Jones 

Enc.: Black Muddy River