Bold new direction: a twilight-colored reunion tour that brings the early Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers Band into the spotlight once more. Live Dead & Brothers announce their Spring Trippin 2026 tour across the Eastern United States, celebrating the formative years and shared history of these two iconic acts from 1969 to 1973. The lineup blends seasoned players who can authentically evoke the sound and spirit of that era, offering both fans and newcomers a window into a pivotal moment in rock history.
The ensemble features Berry Duane Oakley on bass (son of ABB co-founder Berry Oakley), with guitar work from Les Dudek (noted for his work on Brothers & Sisters) and Mark Karan (The Other Ones, RatDog). Keyboard duties are handled by Scott Guberman (Phil Lesh & Friends, Communion), while Pete Lavezzoli (Jazz Is Dead) provides on drums. Vocals are delivered by The Big Gabe, also known as Gabe Woodside. Together, they will explore the intertwined journeys of the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers Band during the late 60s and early 70s, highlighting overlapping influences, shared venues, and mutual musical conversations that defined a generation.
The Spring Trippin 2026 schedule begins April 23 in Northampton, MA, with subsequent Northeastern stops in Shirley, MA (4/24), North Haven, CT (4/25), Jersey City, NJ (4/30), Jim Thorpe, PA (5/1), and Washington, D.C. (5/2). The tour continues through the Southeast and Midwest, visiting Winchester, VA (5/3), Louisville (5/5), Cincinnati (5/6), Asheville, NC (5/8), and Raleigh (5/9), before concluding at the Charleston Pour House in South Carolina on May 10. A flyer for the tour teases that “more shows on the way!”
In a nod to the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary, Live Dead & Brothers will pay homage to the Acid Tests and their influence on the Dead. Expect to hear special ACID TEST “TESTs” inserted into setlists, with jamming that nods to the 1965 Merry Prankster spoken-word material and the Warlocks’ early repertoire as they evolved into the Grateful Dead.
For tickets and the latest schedule, check Live Dead & Brothers’ Bandcamp/venue listings linked in the tour notes. In related news, Steve Kimock joined the group as a guest and occasional Jerry Garcia ringer during recent performances, with a well-received Portland, Oregon two-night run in July documented in reviews and media from that engagement.
Would you rather this tour emphasize deeper historical context and song-by-song comparisons, or focus on live performance captures and setlist dynamics that echo the era? Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which show you’re most excited to hear.
