Dark Star Orchestra, August 29th, 2025 Gerald Ford Amphitheatre
The other night I saw Dark Star Orchestra at the Gerald Ford Theater in Vail, Colorado. It was a couple hours’ drive from my home in Southern Colorado. The venue was spacious and beautiful- nestled in evergreen trees with sloping mountains all around. Yet, it’s convenient to i70. The grounds of the park are full of gorgeous flowers this time of year, and the river runs right next to it.
The day and evening were soggy, from a few hours of rain, but sun peaked through for most of the first set. I got in a very short line early and staked a spot in front of Rob Baracco’s keyboard and beautiful tie-dyed batik, right side of the stage. Heads around me were Vail locals, and a big group who had traveled from Washinton state, for a three-show run. Everyone was incredibly friendly, introducing themselves and sharing excitement.
This is what I love about the Dead scene. It’s almost like we are all about to go on a very cool Disney or Six Flags ride together, that each of us has waited in line, or waited forever to get to ride on. Smiles are big if you are a Deadhead and you know they will likely play a song or two you love, or one that reaches out for you, in the moment, on that day, in that place.
What’re they gonna open with? My seat mates and I wonder. One guesses “Alabama Getaway.” I feel “Cold Rain and Snow,” just cause it feels mountain chilly. It’s “Jack Straw.” I love this song because it mentions a town in the state where I grew up.
The whole show, I kept thinking about my characters and how they would feel hearing the songs from the recreated set list of September 27th, 1981 at Capitol Centre in Landover, MD.
Cass would surely love the “Jack Straw” and I could imagine her shoulders swaying side to side, and studying the big screens. I can see her smile when they sing “Jack Straw from Wichita,” …..
During the wicked “Lost Sailor,” I imnagined Devon feeling down and wishing his life was different, and willing himself to, “Pull through.”
Rowen would have loved the “China / Rider” and “I Need a Miracle,” as they’re classics he knows well, and “Good Lovin,” cause he was thinking about Cass.
Hettie would delight in the little in between licks of “Freight Train,” because she knew that old music. I think she would have liked the “Little Red Rooster,” too.
And I bet Percy, would like “Candyman,” and “Mexicali Blues,” having seen parts of the country and lived the hardscrabble history.
