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Dead Forever: Live at Sphere (2024)

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Dead Forever: Live at Sphere 2024
Residency by Dead & Company
LocationParadise, Nevada, United States
VenueSphere
Start dateMarch 20, 2024 (2024-3-20)
End dateAugust 10, 2024 (2024-8-10)
No. of shows30
Attendance477,000
Box office$131.4 million
Dead & Company concert chronology

Dead Forever: Live at Sphere (2024) was a concert residency by the America rock band Dead & Company at Sphere in Paradise, Nevada, in the Las Vegas Valley. Originally scheduled for 24 shows beginning on March 20, 2024, the residency was expanded to 30 shows total, concluding on August 10, 2024.[1][2]

The residency was positively received by fans and critics, who praised the band's performance and the Sphere's visual displays and audio capabilities.[3][4][5] The residency sold 477,000 tickets and grossed $131.4 million, making it 7th-highest-grossing concert residency of all time.[6][7]

Dead & Company has reprised the show's production for another residency at Sphere in 2025, consisting of 18 shows.

Background

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Sphere

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Sphere is spherical, immersive music and entertainment venue in the Las Vegas Valley, known for its 160,000-square-foot (15,000 m2) LED screen that wraps around the interior.[8] Sphere opened in September 2023 with the 40-show residency U2:UV Achtung Baby Live by the Irish rock band U2. American rock band Phish played a four-day residency at the venue in April 2024.[9][10]

Dead & Company

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Following speculation of the band's potential dissolution after their 2023 summer tour, drummer Mickey Hart hinted at the possibility of future Dead & Company shows, explaining: "It's not final anything. We never said we'll never play again, but we'll never tour again."[11]

Prior to performing at Sphere, Dead & Company had never undertaken a concert residency, instead favoring traditional touring and festival appearances. Since their formation in 2015, the band primarily toured North America, performing in major arenas, stadiums, and amphitheaters. In addition to their annual tours, they hosted Playing in the Sand, a multi-night destination festival in Cancún, Mexico, where they performed exclusive sets for fans in an intimate beachfront setting.[12][13] The decision to embark on a residency at Sphere marked a significant departure from their usual touring model, offering a stationary, immersive concert experience unlike any in the band's history.[14]

Development

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Lead guitarist John Mayer served as the creative director of the residency and worked with the creative agency Treatment Studio and Industrial Light & Magic to produce the visuals displayed on Sphere's wraparound LED screen.[15] Production took approximately six months according to Mayer, and development of new visuals continued throughout the residency.[15][16]

Announcement and itinerary

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Rumors about a potential Dead & Company residency at Sphere began circulating following the conclusion of their 2023 summer tour.[17][18] On February 1, 2024, Dead & Company officially announced the residency.[19] The band was the third act to play at the venue.[9] The residency was initially scheduled to have 24 shows beginning on March 20 and concluding on July 13, but it was eventually extended into August with six additional concerts.[20] The band performed three nights a week, typically on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

On June 19, the band played a private one-set concert for Hewlett Packard Enterprise's 2024 Discover Conference, which was being held at the Venetian Resort that adjoins Sphere.[21][22]

The residency concluded after 30 shows on August 10, 2024.

Show synopsis and production

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Consistent with all previous Dead & Company tours, each show featured a unique setlist, ensuring that no songs were repeated within a single weekend. This approach ensured fans received a fresh and varied experience at every show.[23]

The pre-show visuals showed steel framework

Each show began and ended with the same visual scene displayed. As concertgoers entered Sphere, the LED screen displayed steel framework that appeared to be the interior of the venue. After playing their opening song in this setting, the steel framework would slide open to place the viewer in front of the Grateful Dead's old house on 710 Ashbury Street in modern-day San Francisco. As the second song began, the viewer would "fly" directly upward above the city into space. At the conclusion of each show, the Earth would reappear into view as the viewers "descend" back down Ashbury house, this time in a 1967 setting. Finally, audio from a news reel introducing the Grateful Dead would play, followed by the words "Dead Forever" flashing on the screen. The band would then play an encore to a displayed montage of Grateful Dead band photos.[24][25][26]

Visuals displayed during the residency.

Over 20 unique visual sequences were produced for residency. These included a paint by number cartoon landscape, a sunken sailboat, a desert landscape with Spaghetti Western style film credits, and a kaleidoscope spiral with peace symbols and the Grateful Dead's "marching bear" icons. Other sequences depict a time-lapse construction of the Wall of Sound, the motorcycle-riding Uncle Sam skeleton featured in The Grateful Dead Movie, and a moving tour that takes concertgoers through iconic venues frequented by the Grateful Dead including Red Rocks Amphitheater, Winterland Ballroom, Barton Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Madison Square Garden.[27][28] There were no repeated visuals within a single show, but some visuals were repeated across different shows throughout the weekend.

On May 30, the band paid tribute to basketball player and well-known deadhead Bill Walton, who had died three days prior. Walton's jersey number, 32, adorned with red roses, was displayed on the venue's screens throughout the night, and band members affixed stickers of his number to their instruments. The show's encore, "Fire on the Mountain", was a favorite of Walton's. As the band finished the show, images of Walton with members of the Grateful Dead were displayed.[29][30]

Due to Sphere's dome structure and its advanced spatial audio system, band members relied on in-ear monitors, a career first for rhythm guitarist Bob Weir.[31][32]

Dead Forever Experience

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The Dead Forever Experience, a temporary exhibit at the Venetian

A pop-up exhibit called the "Dead Forever Experience" was opened at the Venetian resort for the entirety of the residency. The exhibit featured a one-fourth scale model of the Wall of Sound, a gallery of drummer Mickey Hart's art, archivists David Lemieux's concert tape collection, and a gallery of Grateful Dead tour photos spanning from 1965 to 1995. Additionally, fans who purchased a VIP package could view a performance of the band's 2023 performance at Cornell University. The exhibit also served as a merchandise store and cocktail bar with speciality Grateful Dead themed drinks.[33][34]

Reception

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The residency was positively received by both fans and critics. The combination of the band's performance and Sphere's cutting-edge visuals and audio technology was frequently highlighted as a standout feature of the residency. Reviewers commended the immersive experience, with some noting the innovative use of spatial audio and the unique visual storytelling that accompanied each performance. The residency was celebrated for its fresh approach to the band's classic music and its ability to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers.[35][36][37][38]

Dead Forever: Live at Sphere ranks as the 7th-highest-grossing concert residency of all time, with gross revenues of $131,449,777 from 476,945 tickets sold.[6][7]

Dead Forever was nominated for the Residency of the Year award at the 2025 Pollstar Awards.[39]

Future

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Before the residency's conclusion, rhythm guitarists Bob Weir expressed interest in returning to Sphere for future performances.[40]

On December 4, 2024, Dead & Company announced an 18-show residency beginning on March 20, 2025.[41][42]

Musicians

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Karl Perazzo of Santana made a guest appearance playing percussion on May 18.[43]

Concert dates

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Concert dates for Dead Forever: Live at Sphere (2024)[44][45]
Date Tickets Sold Revenue
May 16, 2024 50,275 $13,405,599
May 17, 2024
May 18, 2024
May 24, 2024 45,698 $13,652,570
May 25, 2024
May 26, 2024
May 30, 2024 46,827 $14,053,174
May 31, 2024
June 1, 2024
June 6, 2024 48,719 $15,496,090
June 7, 2024
June 8, 2024
June 13, 2024 48,481 $14,822,754
June 14, 2024
June 15, 2024
June 20, 2024 49,327 $15,206,022
June 21, 2024
June 22, 2024
July 4, 2024 45,026 $11,553,939
July 5, 2024
July 6, 2024
July 11, 2024 49,289 $13,751,961
July 12, 2024
July 13, 2024
August 1, 2024 45,427 $9,587,390
August 2, 2024
August 3, 2024
August 8, 2024 47,876 $9,920,278
August 9, 2024
August 10, 2024
Total 476,945 $131,449,777

The band also played a private one-set performance at Hewlett Packard Enterprise's 2024 Discover Conference at Sphere on June 19, 2024.[21][22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Monroe, Jazz (February 1, 2024). "Dead & Company Announce Las Vegas Sphere Residency".
  2. ^ Willman, Chris (2024-05-28). "Dead & Company Extends Las Vegas Residency at Sphere Into August". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  3. ^ Willman, Chris (2024-05-17). "Dead & Company Prove Las Vegas' Sphere Isn't Just for U2, but Them, Too, in Residency's Astounding Opening Night: Concert Review". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  4. ^ Millman, Ethan (2024-05-17). "Dead & Company Venture Out to Space -- And Their Past -- at Dazzling Sphere Opener". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  5. ^ Atkinson, Katie (2024-05-17). "Dead & Company Mold Las Vegas Sphere In Their Image at Novel & Nostalgic Opening Night: 5 Best Moments". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  6. ^ a b "Dead & Company's Dead Forever Sphere Residency Grosses Over $130 Million". JamBase. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  7. ^ a b Frankenberg, Eric (September 9, 2025). "25 Biggest Concert Residencies of All Time". Billboard.
  8. ^ "Here's What Makes the Las Vegas Sphere a Marvel of Engineering". Popular Mechanics. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  9. ^ a b "After 40 nights of U2 at the Sphere, Phish's Trey Anastasio talks about taking over". AP News. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  10. ^ Hodge, Kyle (2025-03-18). "A Complete List of Current Sphere Residencies in Las Vegas". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  11. ^ Drive, 97 1FM The (2023-06-22). "Mickey Hart on Dead & Company's The Final Tour: "It's not final anything" – 97.1fm The Drive – WDRV Chicago". 97.1fm The Drive - WDRV Chicago. Retrieved 2025-03-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Gustafson, Hana (2021-12-30). "Dead & Company Share Playing in the Sand Update". Relix Media. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  13. ^ Gustafson, Hana (2022-11-30). "Dead & Company Announce Special Guests for 2023 Playing in the Sand Event: Goose, MORE! and LP Giobbi". Relix Media. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  14. ^ "Dead & Company Concert & Tour History (Updated for 2025) | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  15. ^ a b Willman, Chris (2024-08-12). "Dead & Company Close Out 30-Night Sphere Run: What a Short, Stunning Trip It's Been. Will They Be Back?". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  16. ^ Willman, Chris (2024-06-25). "John Mayer on the Making of Dead & Company's Mind-Bending Sphere Residency: 'I Love That Adults Are Having Childlike, Wondrous Experiences at This Show' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  17. ^ Kosman, Josh; Mohr, Ian (2023-12-14). "Exclusive | Dead & Co., John Mayer in talks for Vegas Sphere residency: sources". Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  18. ^ Ward, Justin (2024-02-01). "Dead & Company Announce 'Dead Forever' Residency at The Sphere". Live Music Blog. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  19. ^ Monroe, Jazz (2024-02-01). "Dead & Company Announce Las Vegas Sphere Residency". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  20. ^ Willman, Chris (2024-05-28). "Dead & Company Extends Las Vegas Residency at Sphere Into August". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  21. ^ a b "Sphere Hosts Its First Corporate Event, For HPE's Discover Conference". Sixteen:Nine. 2024-06-19. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  22. ^ a b Campos, Guy. "Hewlett Packard Enterprise hosts first conference at Sphere". AV Magazine. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  23. ^ "Dead & Company Sphere Setlist Snapshot: A Look At The Numbers Through Six Weekends". L4LM. 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  24. ^ Carter, Andrew (2025-03-19). "Dead & Company 2024 Sphere Recap: Stats, Highlights, & Audio From Every Show". L4LM. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  25. ^ Willman, Chris (2024-07-17). "How Dead & Company Got Their Sphere Splendor: Treatment Studio Head on Creating Spectacular Visuals for the Band's Vegas Residency". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  26. ^ Atkinson, Katie (2024-05-17). "Dead & Company Mold Las Vegas Sphere In Their Image at Novel & Nostalgic Opening Night: 5 Best Moments". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  27. ^ Carter, Andrew (2025-03-19). "Dead & Company 2024 Sphere Recap: Stats, Highlights, & Audio From Every Show". L4LM. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  28. ^ Atkinson, Katie (2024-05-17). "Dead & Company Mold Las Vegas Sphere In Their Image at Novel & Nostalgic Opening Night: 5 Best Moments". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  29. ^ Blistein, Jon (2024-05-31). "Dead and Co. Jam Out 'Fire on the Mountain' for Bill Walton". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  30. ^ Gustafson, Hana (2024-05-31). "Dead & Company Honor Bill Walton at Sphere (A Recap + Photos)". Relix Media. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  31. ^ "Dead & Co Co-Manager Bernie Cahill On Sphere Takeaways, 'Drums/Space' Pillows & Grateful Dead 60 - Pollstar News". news.pollstar.com. 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  32. ^ dean (2024-07-31). "Derek Featherstone Expands his Field of Vision with Dead & Company at Sphere". Relix Media. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  33. ^ "Dead & Company to launch immersive experience in connection with Dead Forever Sphere residency – WMEX Radio". Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  34. ^ Sissler, James (2024-05-21). "In Town For Dead & Company? Check Out Dead Forever Experience & Shakedown Vegas [Photos]". L4LM. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  35. ^ Willman, Chris (2024-08-12). "Dead & Company Close Out 30-Night Sphere Run: What a Short, Stunning Trip It's Been. Will They Be Back?". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  36. ^ Paumgarten, Nick (2024-07-22). "Reckoning with the Dead at the Sphere". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  37. ^ Singh, Chris (2024-07-04). "I saw Dead & Company at The Sphere and it's completely changed live music for me". The AU Review. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  38. ^ Dante. "Best Of 2024 - Dead And Company At The Las Vegas Sphere Was A Surreal Experience, As Expected". www.barstoolsports.com. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  39. ^ "Nominations Announced for 36th Annual Pollstar Awards, Voting Open Now". Pollstar. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  40. ^ Willman, Chris (2024-06-22). "Bob Weir Says Dead & Company at Sphere Is 'Like Opera,' and He Hopes Band Will Return With Even More Mind-Blowing Tech: 'We're Only Scratching the Surface Here' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  41. ^ "Dead & Company Announce Vegas Residency at the Sphere". AXS TV. 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  42. ^ Greene, Andy (2024-12-04). "Dead & Company Announce 2025 Sphere Residency". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  43. ^ Moderelli, Rob (2024-05-19). "Dead & Company Light up Night Two of Dead Forever Sphere Residency". Relix Media. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  44. ^ "Dead & Company's Dead Forever Sphere Residency Grosses Over $130 Million". JamBase. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  45. ^ "Dead Forever: Live at Sphere (2024)". Touring Data. 2024-07-02. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
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