Grateful Dead - Fare Thee Well Chicago 2015

The Grateful Dead’s Fare Thee Well shows in 2015 were billed as the final performances of the surviving core members together, making the Chicago shows at Soldier Field an enormous moment for Deadheads. With Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir joined by Bruce Hornsby and Trey Anastasio, the lineup had a unique mix of history and fresh energy.

The July 4 show was particularly memorable, opening with “China Cat Sunflower” and “I Know You Rider” before moving through classics including “Estimated Prophet,” “Uncle John’s Band,” “Drums,” “Space,” and “Morning Dew.” The July 5 finale brought the weekend to its emotional conclusion with “Touch of Grey,” “Terrapin Station,” “Standing on the Moon,” and “Attics of My Life,” followed by “Not Fade Away.”

What made Fare Thee Well special wasn't simply the setlists. It was the feeling of an entire musical community gathering to celebrate the Grateful Dead one more time. The performances were imperfect in exactly the way a great Dead show can be—loose, exploratory, emotional, and completely alive. For fans who had waited decades to see these musicians together, it was a fitting farewell.