At The Grateful Dead Live, every song played is a live version, celebrating the improvisational spirit and timeless energy of the Grateful Dead. For the week of December 15–21, 2025, the radio station offers a rich tapestry of live music spanning the band’s storied history, solo projects, tribute performances, and new explorations in the Grateful Dead multiverse. Formerly Dead Set Live, the channel has recently relaunched under its new name, bringing together fans from 47 countries with 1,200 current listeners and 450 unique accounts tuning in weekly.
Here’s a deep dive into the week’s programming, featuring archival gems, tribute performances, and exciting new shows.
The Tapers’ Section: Archival Vault Nuggets
Curated weekly by official Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux, the Tapers’ Section streams unreleased live recordings from the band’s extensive vault of over 16,000 tapes. Every Monday, fans can listen to a selection of shows tied to the same calendar week in Grateful Dead history, available for one week only.
This Week’s Selections (Dec 15–21, 2025):
- 1971 – Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO (Dec 10):
A classic late-year set featuring a sprawling live sequence:
“Truckin’ > Drums > The Other One > Sitting On Top Of The World > The Other One > Not Fade Away > Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away” capped with “One More Saturday Night”. This show perfectly captures the Dead’s exploratory early ‘70s energy. - 1981 – Rosemont Horizon, IL (Dec 6):
The start of the second set highlights “Samson And Delilah,” “To Lay Me Down,” and “Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World”. Selected as the Jam of the Week (Dec 12–18), this performance showcases the band’s sophisticated arrangements and rhythmic precision during the post-reunion era. - 1989 – The Forum, Inglewood, CA (Dec 8):
The late show finale features “I Will Take You Home > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away”, reflecting the band’s seamless late-‘80s improvisational prowess and enduring energy on stage.
Fans of live Dead recordings will find these archival picks essential listening for understanding the band’s evolution and improvisational mastery.
Tuesday Night: Phil & Friends Radio Show
Hosted by the legendary Phil Lesh, this show explores his solo work and collaborations with the rotating ensemble known as Phil & Friends. The program highlights:
- Phil’s distinctive bass lines and musical storytelling
- Live recordings spanning decades
- Rotating casts of talented collaborators, ensuring a fresh experience each week
Fans are treated to rare and unreleased live material, capturing the spirit of the Dead while showcasing Phil’s unique contributions to the band and the broader jam-band scene.
Unbroken Chain: Tribute to Phil Lesh
The second annual “Unbroken Chain” tribute series continues the celebration of Phil Lesh’s legacy following his passing on October 25, 2024, at age 84. Curated by his son Grahame Lesh, the four-night residency at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, will take place Thursday, March 12 – Sunday, March 15, 2026, with proceeds benefiting the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund (last year’s event raised over $250,000).
The residency will feature rotating all-star lineups, including:
Grahame Lesh, Oteil Burbridge, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Daniel Donato, Rick Mitarotonda, Trevor Weekz, Dave Schools, Stanley Jordan, Aron Magner, Cory Henry, John Molo, Alex Koford, Mikaela Davis, Amy Helm, Bill Payne, Jason Crosby, Tony Leone, Maggie Rose, Holly Bowling, Nathan Graham, Steve Molitz, and Kanika Moore.
Tickets go on sale Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET, promising a four-night celebration of Phil’s legacy and live music excellence.
Music Plays The Band Radio Show
For fans of Grateful Dead cover bands, this show showcases live interpretations of the Dead’s iconic catalog. From JRAD and Splintered Sunlight to Dark Star Orchestra, the program highlights the creative ways modern bands keep the music alive. Every note, every improvisation, and every transition honors the spirit of the original recordings while giving fans fresh live experiences.
New SiriusXM Show: “Goin’ Down the Road with Tom Hamilton”
Debuting Monday, December 15, 2025, on the Grateful Dead Channel (Ch. 23), guitarist Tom Hamilton (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Billy & the Kids) hosts a monthly program designed as a musical journey across the full spectrum of the Grateful Dead multiverse.
Key Features:
- Curated Playlists: Handpicked live tracks spanning Jerry Garcia’s era, solo projects, and more recent Dead-related projects
- “Descendants of the Dead” Segment: Spotlights contemporary artists inspired by the Dead
- Music and Conversation: Personal stories, band insights, and guest perspectives
Guest Highlights:
- Inaugural Episode: Chris Tomson (Vampire Weekend, Taper’s Choice)
- January 2026 Episode: Don Was, legendary bassist, producer, and Blue Note Records president
This show not only celebrates live performances but also bridges the past and present, connecting fans with the legacy of the Grateful Dead and its enduring influence.
Upcoming Solo Release:
Tom Hamilton’s debut album, I’m Your Vampire, will release January 23, 2026, co-produced with Alex Farrar, offering fans another dimension of live-inspired creativity.
Fare Thee Well Radio Show
Dedicated to bands formed by surviving members after Jerry Garcia’s passing, Fare Thee Well documents post-1995 performances and projects, highlighting the evolution of the Dead’s legacy while honoring its roots. Expect live recordings that showcase continued innovation, collaborative improvisation, and heartfelt tributes to Jerry Garcia’s artistry.
Dead Ahead Festival 2026 – A Celebration of Live Music and Community
At The Grateful Dead Live, every song played is a live version, capturing the spontaneity, improvisation, and collective energy that defined the band’s legendary performances. This winter, the spotlight turns south of the border to the Dead Ahead Festival 2026, an all-inclusive “concert vacation” curated by Bob Weir at the luxurious Moon Palace Resort in Riviera Cancún, Mexico. Scheduled for January 9–13, 2026, the festival promises a full immersion into the Grateful Dead’s vast songbook, alongside contemporary interpretations and collaborations that showcase the enduring influence of the Dead’s music.
Festival Overview: A Gathering of Legends and Rising Stars
Dead Ahead Festival is more than a traditional concert—it’s a multi-day celebration of music, improvisation, and community. Fans enjoy a curated experience that blends live performances, interactive events, and luxury accommodations, creating a fully immersive environment for music lovers.
The “Dead Ahead” Band:
At the heart of the festival is the “Dead Ahead” ensemble, led by Bob Weir. The group includes an all-star lineup featuring:
- Sturgill Simpson – bringing his genre-blending flair to classic Dead songs
- Rick Mitarotonda (Goose) – adding contemporary improvisational energy
- Dead & Company members: Jeff Chimenti (keys), Oteil Burbridge (bass), and Jay Lane (drums)
This central band anchors the festival with collaborative performances, weaving together the Dead’s timeless catalog with fresh, live interpretations. Every song in these sets is performed live, ensuring each rendition is a unique journey.
Special Guests and Unique Collaborations
The 2026 Dead Ahead Festival continues the tradition of surprise appearances and notable collaborations. Special guests this year include:
- Brandi Carlile – bringing her powerful voice and storytelling to select Dead classics
- Brittney Spencer – offering a soulful, contemporary twist on the Dead’s repertoire
- Grace Bowers – adding her distinctive musical sensibility to collaborative sets
These appearances complement the core performances, creating one-of-a-kind live experiences for attendees.
Additional Support Sets and Tributes
Beyond the central ensemble, the festival showcases individual artists and tribute sets, highlighting the breadth of the Dead’s influence across genres:
- Sturgill Simpson – headline solo sets with unique interpretations of Dead material
- Oteil & Friends – two sets including a heartfelt tribute to the Jerry Garcia Band, blending deep improvisation with homage to Jerry’s legacy
- Trampled by Turtles – performing a tribute to Old & In the Way, connecting fans to the Dead’s bluegrass roots
- Joy Oladokun, Neal Francis, and Tom Hamilton – solo and collaborative performances that celebrate live musical storytelling
Late-night and daytime experiences enhance the festival’s all-inclusive vibe. For instance, Mickey Hart’s Noche de Ondas provides rhythmic explorations for nocturnal attendees, while daytime pool parties create an informal, social, and musical gathering space.
Festival Logistics: Luxury Meets Live Music
Venue: The Moon Palace Resort offers an oceanfront main stage with premium sound production, alongside all-inclusive luxury accommodations, dining, and amenities. Attendees can enjoy seamless access to performances while relaxing in a world-class resort setting.
Tickets: Packages include:
- Full festival access for the five-night event
- On-site resort accommodations
- All-inclusive meals and beverages
- Exclusive festival activities and experiences
The January 9–13, 2026 window aligns with the established schedule of previous years, giving fans a predictable and highly anticipated opportunity to gather and celebrate the Dead’s music in a tropical paradise.
Why Dead Ahead Festival Matters for Live Music Fans
The Dead Ahead Festival embodies everything that makes The Grateful Dead Live so special:
- Every Song is Unique: Each performance is a live rendition, capturing improvisational magic and collaborative spontaneity.
- Legacy Meets Innovation: The festival blends classic Dead repertoire with contemporary interpretations, highlighting how the music continues to inspire new generations of artists.
- Immersive Community Experience: Fans share a multi-day, multi-sensory celebration that combines luxury travel, music, and social connection in a one-of-a-kind setting.
- Tributes and Special Sets: From Jerry Garcia Band tributes to bluegrass and modern jam-band interpretations, the festival honors the full spectrum of the Dead’s influence.
For fans who follow The Grateful Dead Live, this festival offers a rare opportunity to experience the band’s legacy and its modern evolution in a live, communal, and immersive environment. Every note, every solo, and every collaborative jam performed here lives up to the ethos of the Grateful Dead: spontaneity, improvisation, and shared musical joy.
A Must-Experience Live Event
For fans of live Grateful Dead performances, the Dead Ahead Festival 2026 is more than a concert—it’s a musical pilgrimage. Whether it’s the core Dead Ahead ensemble, late-night rhythm experiments with Mickey Hart, or intimate tributes to Jerry Garcia’s work, every live set embodies the improvisational spirit that has kept the Dead’s music alive for decades.
From oceanfront stages to poolside jams, from collaborative all-star sets to personal solo performances, the festival delivers an all-inclusive, fully live experience that will resonate long after the last note fades. For anyone who cherishes the magic of live Grateful Dead music, Dead Ahead 2026 is an unmissable event.
The Grateful Dead Live Radio Station
The Grateful Dead Live Radio Channel features an all-live playlist, including:
- JGB Radio: Jerry Garcia Band performances
- Ace Radio: Live Bob Weir shows
- Phil & Friends: Solo projects from Phil Lesh
- Music Plays The Band: Grateful Dead cover bands
- Fare Thee Well: Post-Garcia ensembles
- Planet Drum Circle: Weekly percussion-focused show
- Don’s Pick: Curated rare or unreleased live performances
Listeners can explore live performances spanning the Grateful Dead catalog, solo projects, and modern interpretations, all delivered in the spirit of improvisation that defined the band.
Experience the Live Legacy
At The Grateful Dead Live, every show is an opportunity to connect with history, improvisation, and the enduring spirit of the band. From archival treasures and tribute series to new radio programs like Goin’ Down the Road with Tom Hamilton, fans worldwide can immerse themselves in the music that continues to inspire generations.
Every broadcast celebrates the raw energy, spontaneity, and collaborative magic of live Grateful Dead performances—true to the mantra: every song is live, and every performance is a journey.
