On Saturday, October 22, Brooklyn Comes Alive, an indoor festival that debuted in 2015, will return with performances from 50 artists showcased across three venues – Brooklyn Bowl, Music Hall of Williamsburg and The Hall at MP, each a 10 minute walk from the others. Solo sets, unique acts and familiar and new supergroups will perform throughout the day from 12pm-12am.
Update 8/18: The first supergroup for the event, Breaking Biscuits, featuring both members of Break Science and Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner of the Disco Biscuits, has been announced.
Be sure to grab advanced tickets now to secure your spot at one of the most momentous musical occassions of the year! For those seeking to be fully immersed in the Brooklyn Comes Alive experience, consider purchasing VIP tickets, which grant access to the Brooklyn Bowl “Artist Lounge” as well as access to private VIP viewing areas at Music Hall of Williamsburg and The Hall at MP.
Members of The Disco Biscuits, String Cheese Incident, Ratdog, Lettuce, Trey Anastasio Band, The Nth Power, Dopapod, Gov’t Mule and many more will take part in the day long marathon of music. Musicians are encouraged to create their own groups and concepts, and bring together new collaborations with a spirit of community.
Music starts at noon on October 22 at The Hall at MP, with a brunch inside The Hall and at the adjoining restaurant MP Taverna. Brooklyn Bowl and Music Hall of Williamsburg will open up in the early evening, with all three venues remaining open all night long.
Note: both The Hall at MP and Music Hall of Williamsburg are 18+ venues, while the Brooklyn Bowl is strictly 21+. If you are between the ages of 18 and 21, you are welcome to purchase a ticket, however you will not be allowed access to the Brooklyn Bowl.
Lead guitarist Jeff Mattson did an exceptional job filling Jerry’s shoes for “Sugaree,” before Rob Barraco tackled Pigpen’s “Mr. Charlie.” The “Black Throated Wind” that followed had a particularly hot ending as Rob Eaton embodied the role of Bob Weir. Always searching for a
The spirit of Pigpen returned for “Two Souls in Communion,” relaxing the audience before a spaced-out “Playing In The Band.” After the 15-minute-plus version, I had enough set list evidence to predict the band’s recreation. I knew it was something from Europe ’72 as classic Pigpen tunes were frequent, yet they jumped in the deep end for “Playin’.” With assistance from a quick Google search, I discovered that they were recreating the iconic final show of their European run,
A familiar “Cumberland Blues” and “Jack Straw” led to “Chinatown Shuffle,” which is the last tune Pigpen ever sang on stage. In fact, the four songs sang by Pigpen in the first set would follow him to his grave after that hallowed evening. My lyrical deck of cards theory returned with the “diamond-eye Jack” during “China> Rider.” On the eve of Jerry’s birthday, a wave of euphoria came over the crowd during the “Not Fade Away> Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad> Not Fade Away” sandwich that closed out the mesmerizing and particularly long first set.
“Sing Me Back Home” gave us a moment to catch our breath before the “high-lo jack and the winner takes the hand” lyrics brought a smile to my face during “Me and My Uncle.” “Ramble On Rose” brought the casino-night motif to a close and presented the “aces back to back” before a high-energy two-pack of “Sugar Magnolia” and “Casey Jones” closed the second set. As the 11PM curfew rounded the corner, DSO remained on stage and quickly wished Captain Trips a happy birthday. A fellow setlist detective gave me a pat on the back as the May 1972 discovery was confirmed. Closing out the Sunday, the band gave us one more reason to enjoy the weekend with “One More Saturday Night.” Outside the venue, dozens of fans roamed the beach holding balloons with smiles on their faces (I can only assume for Mr. Garcia’s birthday). The first ever Grateful Dead recreation at the Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island was a massive success and I predict the energy to return during two nights of Phil & Friends in mid-September. Decades after that magical night on the other side of the Atlantic, Deadheads were once again treated to the peace, tranquility and curiosity of a beautiful experience, just like waves upon the sand.

