Imagine a summer where politics gets shoved aside by the sheer force of nostalgia and musical genius. That's exactly what happened in 2016 when the Dead & Company Summer Tour took America by storm. Featuring former Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann, with guitar virtuoso John Mayer, bassist Oteil Burbridge, and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, Dead & Company embarked on a journey that took them to 20 locations, including New York’s Citi Field and San Francisco’s iconic Fillmore. Why, you ask? To bring back the legendary music of the Grateful Dead for old fans and new.
But, let's talk about what was truly awe-inspiring about this event. First off, John Mayer took some people by surprise. Sure, we knew he could sing about "Gravity" and falling for the girl-next-door types, but could he shred a guitar and capture the Grateful Dead vibe? Spoiler alert: Yes, he could. Making him a seasonal road warrior was a strategic move that became emblematic of the tour’s success.
Secondly, what’s more American than a band touring major baseball stadiums? It was like the music gods themselves decided to mash up America’s favorite songbook with the good old U.S.A.'s favorite pastime arenas. From iconic baseball fields in Boston to amphitheaters under the stars in Colorado, it was a summer of bending rules and minds.
Third, let's address the chemistry. With Burbridge and Chimenti, fans got a cohesive, melodious backbone that supported and uplifted the classic hits like "Touch of Grey" or "Sugar Magnolia" to new heights. Add the legendary drumming of Hart and Kreutzmann, and what you have is not just a series of concerts, but nearly an embodiment of American zeitgeist.
Next up, we need to address the fan element. Let’s be clear: Deadheads are a phenomenon. Their loyalty could give even the most hardcore college football fans a run for their money. The tour was less about reviving a commercial product and more about participating in a cherished, beloved tradition. An experience much appreciated by conservatives who cherish traditional values and gatherings.
So what about the lyrical genius of Bob Weir? Conservatives can appreciate a guy who sticks to his guns. The man proved he's still got it; the poetry, the ease with a guitar and that laid-back leadership style that makes you want to ride shotgun on a road trip across America.
One intriguing aspect is how this tour pretty much ignored the political climate of the time. In an era where most celebrities and entertainers couldn't help but voice opinions on the election looming over the nation, Dead & Company focused purely on the music. It was about creating an escape, a haven away from the chaos - a true act of resilience and courage.
And then there’s the merchandise. Naughty, nostalgic, downright capitalistic. T-shirts, posters, and memorabilia flew off the shelves like hotcakes in this consumer paradise that America is. Some things never change, and thank goodness for that.
From an economic angle, the tour left behind a trail of benefits. Hotels saw spikes in bookings, local restaurants experienced a surge, and vendors selling everything from tie-dye shirts to beer benefited immensely. This was capitalism at its finest — a systemic, indirect boost to local infrastructures that wasn’t mentioned in the media but should have been.
Speaking of media, liberal outlets couldn't quite wrap their heads around the non-political vibe of the concerts, choosing instead to focus on Mayer’s sartorial choices or Weir’s ageless aura. They missed the point. Dead & Company Summer Tour 2016 was an embodied experience of freedom, nostalgia, and pure, unapologetic joy. A celebration of musical influence with roots so deep they could have divided the earth itself.
To put it succinctly, the Dead & Company Summer Tour of 2016 was a substantial success for any music lover and classic rock fan, be it from the right or the moderate center. It's an experience that some fans argue rivals, even if not better than, the original Grateful Dead concerts. It was a summer where America took a collective breath and listened to its own past, articulated through familiar, comforting tunes. Who knows, maybe America's future will sound a bit like this?