Dead & Company returned to San Francisco for a three-night residency celebrating the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary, performing at Golden Gate Park’s historic Polo Field on August 1, 2, and 3, 2025. The residency marked the band’s first appearance in San Francisco since concluding their farewell summer tour in 2023 at Oracle Park and wrap-up of their Las Vegas Sphere residencies earlier in 2025.
Each night drew an estimated 60,000 fans, transforming the Polo Field into a vibrant Deadhead pilgrimage site echoing the city’s rich musical history. Attendees included both longtime followers and new fans, uniting in celebratory spirit amid billowing fog—a fitting reminder of the Dead’s Bay Area roots.
Original Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart led the evenings, joined by John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti, and Jay Lane. The lineup faithfully honored the band’s musical ethos built over six decades. Support came from high-profile acts, each performing a set on one evening. Billy Strings opened the festivities on August 1, followed by Sturgill “Johnny Blue Skies” Simpson on August 2, and Trey Anastasio Band closed the run on August 3. There were strong expectations of guest sit-ins during the headliner sets, though details were not officially confirmed.
The opening night, which coincided with what would have been Jerry Garcia’s 83rd birthday, began on a nostalgic and introspective tone. John Mayer and company delivered renditions of “Feel Like a Stranger,” “Tennessee Jed,” and “Althea,” though the initial energy was measured. The second set showcased the band’s improvisational depth with standout performances of “Box of Rain,” “Terrapin Station,” and a sprawling sequence through “Eyes of the World” and Drums/Space, culminating in a “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” encore that left fans buzzing.
Grahame Lesh, son of original bassist Phil Lesh, joined the band for “Box of Rain” and “Playing in the Band,” providing a poignant connection between generations. Billy Strings returned mid-concert to contribute to a powerful blend of “Wharf Rat” into “Not Fade Away,” one of the most memorable moments of the weekend.
Fans fully embraced the occasion. Around Golden Gate Park, T-shirt vendors and incense sellers lined JFK Promenade, enhancing the festival-style atmosphere. The city of San Francisco participated with playful touches—Muni buses were wrapped in psychedelic designs with names like “Psychedeli-bus” and “Trippy Train.” A new rose garden was planted in the park as a tribute to the band’s legacy.
Despite premium ticket pricing—$635 for general admission and VIP packages exceeding $7,000—many attendees viewed the concerts as a rare chance to experience the Grateful Dead’s spirit in its birthplace. The high costs did little to dampen enthusiasm.
The Grateful Dead, founded in 1965 in San Francisco, became iconic symbols of the counterculture movement. Dead & Company was formed in 2015 to carry forward their music, blending original members with new collaborators like Mayer. Since then, the group has kept the music alive for both seasoned fans and younger audiences.
The August 2025 residency stood not only as a celebration of 60 years of Grateful Dead music but also as a likely symbolic farewell—marking what many believe may be the final hometown performance for Dead & Company. Set against the fog and backdrop of San Francisco, it offered a fitting conclusion to a legacy that began in the city’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood and rippled across the globe.