Dark Star Orchestra Transforms The Pony into Giants Stadium for their Cover of The Dead's July 7, 1989 Classic

Pop Break Live: Dark Star Orchestra Recreating The Grateful Dead’s July 9, 1989 Giants Stadium Show at The Stone Pony Summer Stage

Words & Photos by Will Marks

The dead were alive and well in Asbury Park Saturday night at the Stone Pony. Dark Star Orchestra came to town and transported us back 30 years to, Giants Stadium on July 7th, 1989 where the Grateful Dead performed a show for the ages. Dark Star Orchestra brought the magic back to life playing the show note for note, making the kids dance and shake their bones like its 1989 all over again! It was an amazing summer night at The Pony full of killer jams and a set list you could really groove to.

The place was packed solid, and the heads were movin and groovin! Dark Star Orchestra have that special something just like the Grateful Dead had. They can make you forget about everything else in the world for a while and just let the music take you. They are much more than just the music of the Grateful Dead. They bring the whole experience and have that encapsulating energy which we all love.

The first set kicked off with a “Shakedown Street” opener that sent the crowd into a dancing and spinning throw down. It also included a tight version of “Brown Eyed Women” and a “Bird Song closer that had such an incredible melodic build up when it was over there was nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile! Second set brought the heat right back with a great “China Cat Sunflower” into “I know You Rider“ and a beautiful version of “Built To Last.”

The show closed out with a great version of “Not Fade Away” and a “Brokedown Palace” encore leaving us all happy to have been able to experience the magic of Dark Star Orchestra. If you get the chance to see this band, I would highly recommend you get out there. It will be a musical adventure you will not forget.

Setlist:

First Set: Shakedown Street, Jack Straw, West L.A. Fadeaway, Victim or the Crime, Brown Eyed Women, Queen Jane Approximately, Bird Song

Second Set: China Cat Sunflower, I Know You Rider, Samson and Delilah, Built to Last, Truckin’, drums, Gimme Some Lovin’,Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad, Throwin’ Stones, Not Fade Away

Encore: Brokedown Palace