For decades, it’s been impossible for fans of the Grateful Dead to see their favorite band perform. However, with the tribute band Dark Star Orchestra, they can still have the next best thing. Nobody will ever be able to replicate what the great Jerry Garcia and the rest of the Grateful Dead brought to music or the stage show they gave to fans, but Dark Star Orchestra comes close. The tribute band has been around since the late 90s and spent over two decades mastering their impression of the Grateful Dead. Of course, seeing Dark Star Orchestra in person isn’t just a bunch of musicians trying to imitate the Grateful Dead or play their songs. Dark Star Orchestra truly embodies the lasting spirit of the Grateful Dead and celebrates the experience that Garcia and Company once gave to the Grateful Dead’s loyal fans.

The Journey

One of the great things about a tribute band is that they have no need to spend time writing new songs. That leaves more time for touring, which is exactly the approach that Dark Star Orchestra has taken. For most of their history, regardless of lineup changes, Dark Star Orchestra has toured non-stop. They have played thousands of shows over the years, giving fans of the Grateful Dead thousands of opportunities to get the Grateful Dead Experience. The best part is that several living members of The Grateful Dead have joined Dark Store Orchestra, helping to create an even more authentic Grateful Dead experience.

Imitation is the Best Form of Flattery

Dark Star Orchestra takes its role as a tribute band as seriously as any band with that title. For every show, they mimic the setlist of a Grateful Dead from one of the band’s tours. On top of that, they change up their music equipment and voice arrangements to perfectly imitate what the Grateful Dead did during certain eras. They go to great lengths to imitate Garcia’s style on guitar and the unique playing style and sounds of the rest of the Grateful Dead. Dark Star Orchestra doesn’t just want to play Grateful Dead songs like other cover bands. They want to recreate the experience of seeing The Grateful Dead, which is why there is no other band in the world that can provide the same concert experience as Dark Star Orchestra.