NYS Music 20​15

Tag: DSO

  • Dark Star Orchestra Holds First Stadium Show at Rochester’s Frontier Field

    Dark Star Orchestra celebrated a milestone playing their first stadium show while also setting an attendance record for themselves July 28, when they played Rochester’s Frontier Field. Set up on the third base line and facing the seats with no access to the field, DSO recreated the 1987 Dead show played at Rochester’s Silver Stadium on July 2, 1987.

    dark star orchestra Frontier FieldFans of the band took to social media shortly before the show began to spread the word that Frontier Field had announced they were not allowing concert goers on the field. Word spread quickly and people wondered how the stage would be set up.

    All anybody had to do to squelch that concern was enter the venue and see the stage facing the third base seats. Concerns fell to the way side, the crowd was a cohesive body of dancing and celebration.

    The unique set up allowed for an intimate feel of an indoor show, in a stadium, accompanied by a beautiful summer night with clear skies. They were dancing in their seats, on the grass and at the concession stands – ‘The music never stopped.’

    dark star orchestra Frontier FieldAs at all DSO shows, concertgoers scrambled to figure out which set list the band would choose to play at their first stadium show. Once “Bertha” began just after a rockin’ “Hell In A Bucket,” we all knew they had chosen the July 7, 1987 Silver Stadium show. A show that was near and dear to the Rochester Deadhead community, as it was part of a pair of shows played here by the Grateful Dead in 87′ and 88′.

    Rochester couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful night of music and Dead tunes. The show was a family event for many in attendance with babies and big kids dancing and hula hooping by the sides of their mamas and papas, all glowing with happiness. DSO not only recreates the shows of the Grateful Dead but they embody the energy of the band and the community that surrounds them. Dark Star Orchestra is no cover band, they are an extension of the ones who played before them.

    Dark Star Orchestra, recereating 7/2/87 Silver Stadium, at Frontier Field – Rochester, NY

    Set 1: Hell In A Bucket > Bertha, Walkin’ Blues, Dire Wolf, My Brother Esau, When Push Comes To Shove, Tons Of Steel, Me & My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, Brown Eyed Women, Cassidy, Deal

    Set 2: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Samson & Delilah, Looks Like Rain, He’s Gone > Jam > Drums > Space > Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad > All Along The Watchtower > Stella Blue > Sugar Magnolia, E: Black Muddy River

  • Dark Star Orchestra Plays a Collection of JGB Songs at the Saranac Brewery

    Dark Star Orchestra nixed their usual routine of recreating Grateful Dead shows and played a fantastic mix of Jerry Garcia Band tunes Sunday night at the Saranac Brewery in Utica NY. This deviation of the norm was prompted by the absence of guitarist Rob Eaton who was attending his son’s wedding.

    The enthusiastic crowd jammed for four hours to such classics as — “Evangeline” and “Sugaree” and a Beatle cover thrown in as well. Halfway through the second set they performed an excellent version of Shining Star with the audience chiming in on the chorus to the end.

    This was my first Dark Star Orchestra show and I certainly hope it will not be the last. They certainly knew how to channel the vibe of the Jerry Garcia Band and I hope to catch one of the recreated Grateful Dead shows in the future.

    Set List:
    One: Let It Rock, Dear Prudence, Evangeline, It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry, You Never Can Tell (C’est La Vie), Who Was John, I Shall Be Released, Don’t Let Go, Mystery Train

    Set Two: The Set Harder They Come, Sugaree, Think, Shining Star, Tough Mama, That Lucky Old Sun, Lonesome And A Long Way From Home, Rubin and Cherise

    Encore: That’s Alright Mama

  • Dark Star Orchestra Plays Frontier Field for Their First Stadium Show

    Dark Star Orchestra has one more stop to make in New York state before they head to Gathering of the Vibes this weekend in CT. Following a JGB set in Saranac Lake Sunday night, the band will return to Rochester for their first ever stadium show at Frontier Field tonight.

    Frontier FieldThe band that seeks to recreate the set list of past Dead Shows is excited to share this moment with the Rochester Dead Head community and we plan to show them how excited we are to be a part of it. With the celebration of Jerry Garcia’s birthday fast approaching, they have been heating up shows all tour.

    Tickets are still available for $15 and will increase to $18 at the door. This is an all ages show so bring the family for what should be a beautiful summer night of Dead tunes.