“While the Grateful Dead are known for the magic of their live improvisational prowess, an orchestra isn’t, a group trained instead to read sheet music and flawlessly replicate the notes printed on it in the live setting.
“But from 1973’s Wake of the Flood, the epic “Weather Report Suite” was an early highlight, a song seemingly tailor-made for orchestral accompaniment which proved beyond question that improvisation can exist even in the more structured environment demanded by the presence of the Chicago Philharmonic, with the performance taking on an almost cinematic feel.” – Jim Ryan, Forbes
On November 17 and 18, the Chicago Philharmonic teamed up with Grateful Dead legend Bob Weir, his Wolf Bros, and The Wolfpack for two sold-out nights of symphonic rock at The Auditorium. 7,800 enthusiastic fans jammed out, danced, and cheered for their favorite tunes.
Concert-goers were grateful and excited for the unique collaboration between Bobby Weir and the Philharmonic. As one fan posted: “Dead show but make it classy.” The energy from the crowd was palpable; a rare symphonic concert with balloons bouncing in the historic hall and raucous cheers when people heard their favorite tunes.
Each night featured a unique setlist. Highlights included orchestral renditions of Grateful Dead classics like “Terrapin Station,” “Shakedown Street,” and “Dark Star” – all brought to life with stunning symphonic arrangements by Dr. Giancarlo Aquilanti that showcased the timeless power of the Dead’s music.
Critics and journalists were also enamored with the concerts. Alex Shur for Glide Magazine wrote poignantly about the concert:
“The Grateful Dead’s scope is indisputably epic, and what’s more epic than an orchestra? The Dead and its songbook have become increasingly revered musical institutions, and isn’t that what we trust orchestras to present?
“Here’s what happens at the show: The orchestra provides pummeling, deep accents in Black Throated Wind and joins the Wolf Bros for a rocking crescendo behind screaming horns. It weaves in and out of the full Terrapin Station suite, offering rushing, climatic color to Jay Lane’s drums as we head deep into the suite. It gives a full, shimmering sound to Playing In The Band.
“Orchestral music isn’t improvised like the Grateful Dead’s live shows. At the Chicago show, the orchestra members mostly played the notes on the sheet before them. But orchestras improvise in another way, just like the Dead: An orchestra can adjust tempo and volume at the conductor’s whim, reacting to the music and the crowd. It can feed off the energy surrounding them, suiting its music to fill the theater, and create something new. I know what excitement and joy feel and look like at a live concert, and the Auditorium Theater was filled with both.
“Because there, under a spotlight, was a living, breathing, singing Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead playing with a f****** orchestra. And some time between my tears and my smiles at that show came the thought that this experience was close to the peak of my concert-going life and that there was some tiny but tangible chance that Weir held it in a similar regard as a performer.”
The Chicago Philharmonic’s collaboration with Bobby Weir was one of many thrilling concerts this season at The Auditorium, a long-time partner organization and venue for the orchestra. Up next at the iconic venue:
January 18, 2025: Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert with Senegalese drummer Massamba Diop
February 22, 2025: Terminator in Concert (U.S. Premiere!)
March 13, 2025: Gregory Alan Isokov with the Chicago Philharmonic
April 19, 2025: Kishi Bashi and the Chicago Philharmonic