Photos by Ryan Swerdlin

Los Angeles-based Grateful Shred kicked off their tour in Atlanta on Thursday night at Terminal West. Their lineup features Dan Horne and Austin McCutchen alongside keyboardist Adam MacDougall, Austine Beede, Alex Koford, Zeph Ohora, and John Lee Shannon. They have a very unique and laid-back approach to the Dead catalog that must be seen to be appreciated. We think they are as close to a 1976-1977 Dead sound as we have heard from any band out there.

The setlist for the first night of the East Coast tour was varied and had some stellar versions of “Althea,” “Shakedown Street,” and “St. Stephen.” The band has a full sound that seems to be anchored by Horne’s driving bass. Singer Mikaela Davis shined when she sat in for “Dancin’ In The Streets” and “Playing In The Band.” MacDougall also provided some tasty lead vocals on “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” They closed the second set with “Not Fade Away,” and then left the stage while the crowd kept the NFA chant to come back on stage to finish “St. Stephen.”

Their tour continues this weekend the the Pour House in Charleston, SC (full dates and links to tickets below!)

East Coast ’23 Tour Dates

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