Introduction
Get ready to shift gears and lose yourself. This ain't your average concert poster; it's a technicolor portal to the heart of Dead & Company's epic Summer Tour, captured by the visionary lens of AJ Masthay. Forget your typical gig flyers; this is a psychedelic tapestry woven from sun-drenched landscapes, dancing bears, and a mischievous skeleton grinning from the rearview mirror.
Masthay, renowned for his vibrant artistry and meticulous detail, isn't just documenting a concert; he's channeling the collective energy, the sun-kissed spirit, and the soul-stirring jams of a summer that Deadheads will never forget. His brushstrokes dance with the music, his colors bleed like a kaleidoscope of emotions, and his lines twist and turn like the melodies themselves.
Key Features
- Artist: AJ Masthay
- Year: 2023
- Edition:
- Numbering: 4619/6100
- Signature: Signed by the Artist
- Dimensions: Approximately 18" x 24"
- Material:
- Venue: Multiple Venues
The Artist: AJ Masthay
AJ Masthay is an American artist and printmaker who specializes in creating gig posters, concert prints, and rock art. He's best known for his detailed and vibrant illustrations, often featuring iconic band imagery and psychedelic themes.
Masthay's artistic journey began in 2001 when he established his own letterpress studio, Masthay Studios, in Hartford, Connecticut. He describes himself as "as much of a craftsman as an artist," meticulously crafting his prints using the reduction block printing technique, also known as "suicide prints." This method involves carving away sections of a single block of wood for each color, making it a labor-intensive but rewarding process that allows for rich, layered effects.
Masthay's passion for music, particularly the Grateful Dead, shines through in his work. He's created posters for countless bands, including Phish, The Flaming Lips, Wilco, and of course, the Dead. His Dead and Company prints are particularly sought-after by collectors, often selling out quickly and fetching high prices online.
The Band: The Dead and Company
Dead & Company is an American rock band formed in 2015. The band consists of former Grateful Dead members Bob Weir (guitar and vocals), Mickey Hart (drums), and Bill Kreutzmann, along with John Mayer (guitar and vocals), Oteil Burbridge (bass, percussion, and vocals), and Jeff Chimenti (keyboards).
Dead & Company primarily perform Grateful Dead covers and is credited with popularizing Grateful Dead music to a younger audience. In 2023, Jay Lane replaced Kreutzmann as the band's second drummer for their final tour. Their final tour was attended by over 840,000 fans with the final show taking place in San Francisco, the birthplace of the Grateful Dead. At the tour's conclusion, John Mayer reassured fans that "Dead & Company is still a band," but that they did not "know what the next show will be." As Mayer has indicated he wants to pursue his own music for some time being.
Here are some of their notable achievements:
- Won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2017 for their album "Day of the Dead".
- Headlined major music festivals, including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Coachella.
- Broke attendance records at many of the venues they played, including Fenway Park and Madison Square Garden.
The Tour: Summer 2023
Here's what made this summer 2023 Summer Tour so special to Dead Heads:
The Finality: It was billed as their final tour, and the band poured their hearts and souls into every single show. Fans knew this was their last chance to catch Dead & Company live, creating an electric energy that crackled through every venue.
The Setlists: Gone were the predictable setlists. Instead, the band dug deep into the Grateful Dead's vast catalog, pulling out hidden gems and fan favorites. Each show became a unique tapestry of improvisation, weaving familiar melodies with unexpected twists and turns.
The Spirit of the Dead: Dead & Company wasn't just a tribute band; they were conduits, channeling the spirit of the Grateful Dead and keeping their sonic flame alive. John Mayer's soaring vocals blended seamlessly with Bob Weir's weathered wisdom, while Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti carried the torch of Jerry Garcia's psychedelic explorations.
The Community: Deadheads from all generations gathered to celebrate their shared love for the music. The parking lots morphed into vibrant communities, filled with tie-dye, friendly faces, and the sweet aroma of patchouli. The concerts became communal experiences, where strangers became friends united by the power of music.
The Venues: From the iconic Hollywood Bowl to the hallowed grounds of Soldier Field, the tour spanned legendary stadiums and intimate theaters, each offering a unique backdrop for musical magic.
The Legacy: Though the tour has ended, its echoes reverberate. Dead & Company showed us that the music of the Grateful Dead transcends time and genre, continuing to inspire and connect generations. It was a reminder that the spirit of the Dead lives on, not just in the music, but in the hearts of the fans who keep it alive.
So, while there may be no more Dead & Company summer tours, their final stand remains etched in history as a testament to the enduring power of music, community, and the spirit of the Grateful Dead.