What “Final Tour”? Bob Weir, John Mayer, and company reconvening for lengthy stay at cutting-edge venue less than a year after parting ways
Dead & Company’s “final tour” wasn’t the end of the road for the Grateful Dead offshoot, as the John Mayer-featuring band has confirmed they’ll reconvene this spring for a lengthy residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere.
The group — featuring Dead legends Bob Weir and Mickey Hart alongside Mayer, bassist Oteil Burbridge, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, and drummer Jay Lane — previously announced their final tour in 2023, culminating with a pair of hometown gigs in San Francisco.
However, toward the end of 2023, Dead and Company were rumored to be ending their brief retirement to take over for U2 — and following Phish’s four-night visit — at the cutting-edge Las Vegas venue. After weeks of speculation, the band teased — and Rolling Stone confirmed — their plans with a social media teaser Wednesday, showing the Grateful Dead’s classic “Steal Your Face” logo projected on the massive Sphere.
While no dates have yet been announced, Rolling Stone has confirmed that band will play at least 15 shows at the Sphere.
Semantically speaking, Dead and Company didn’t lie about last year’s jaunt being their “final tour” since they’re technically going to be “residing” instead of “touring,” as they explained in the teaser.
“In 2023, Dead & Company played their final tour,” the band said. “But there are other ways to make sure the music never stops.”
Dead & Company added, a nod to the venue, “It’s gonna be a ball.”