So you're heading to a Dead and Company show or just reliving past concerts? That set list matters more than you think. Seriously, I've seen fans spend hours debating whether they'll play "Dark Star" or if Mayer will shred on "Althea." It's not just a song list – it's the night's DNA. After tracking their tours since 2015 (yeah, I'm that guy with the notebook in Section 203), I'll break down everything from how they craft sets to where you can find that elusive Cornell '23 list.
Why Dead and Company Set Lists Actually Matter
Random set lists? Hardly. These guys plan like chess masters. Each Dead and Company set list follows patterns only hardcore fans notice. Night two of a stadium run always has deeper cuts. Rain shows? Expect moody blues. At Boulder '22, when clouds rolled in, they opened with "Cold Rain and Snow." Coincidence? No way.
What makes fans obsess over Dead and Company concert set lists?
- No repeats in multi-night stands (except encores sometimes)
- Soundcheck teases that never make the show
- John Mayer's influence pushing more blues covers
- Billy vs. Jay drumming changing song tempos
I missed the "St. Stephen" return at Wrigley '19 because I skipped night two. Still kicking myself.
Set List Sources That Don't Suck
Forget sketchy blogs. These actually work:
Setlists.fm - Updated during shows by fans. Downside? Typos when people "edit" after one too many.
Deadhead Archives App - Filter by year/song. Shows Bobby's guitar techs use it backstage (true story).
@DeadSetList on Twitter - Song-by-song tweets in real time. Lifesaver when your phone dies.
| Source | Accuracy | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setlists.fm | 95% | Live updates | Set list history deep dives |
| Deadhead Archives | 99% | Next-day | Song statistics & comparisons |
| Concert Live Stream Chats | 80% | Real-time | Predicting next songs mid-show |
Breaking Down the 2023 Final Tour Set Lists
The "last" tour changed everything. More 70s epics, less 80s pop. At SF Night 3, they played "Terrapin Station" > "Morning Dew" – twenty minutes that melted faces. But not all choices landed. That "Days Between" in Phoenix? Felt longer than the desert drive there.
2023 Tour By the Numbers
| Song | Times Played | Tour Opener Frequency | Avg. Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Althea | 22 | 3x first set opener | 9:15 |
| China Cat Sunflower | 19 | 7x paired with Rider | 7:40 |
| Drums/Space | 100% of shows | Always set 2 start | 23-28 min |
| Rarities (e.g. Cosmic Charlie) | 4 | Only in Boulder | Varies |
Notice how "Touch of Grey" vanished after May? Rumor is Mayer hated the synth tones. Can't blame him.
Evolution of Dead & Co Set Lists: 2015 vs Now
Early tours played it safe. 2016 set lists felt like GD Greatest Hits: "Truckin'" every third show, "Casey Jones" as automatic encore. Boring? Sometimes. But necessary to win skeptical deadheads.
Then Mayer happened. By 2018:
- More Allman Bros covers ("Midnight Rider" in Atlanta)
- Slower tempos (controversial!)
- Extended "Bird Song" jams (Chicago '18 hit 16 minutes)
2023's final Dead and Company tour set list choices shocked everyone. They revived "Mountains of the Moon" – hadn't been played live since '95. My section at Citifield went silent. Then erupted.
Songs That Disappeared From Rotation
Not every gem stayed. Here's why:
- West LA Fadeaway - Dropped after 2019. Bobby's voice couldn't handle the growl.
- Victim or the Crime - Played twice ever. Thank god.
- Money Money - Retired when Brent died. Respect.
Predicting Future Dead and Company Set Lists (If They Return)
No insider info here. But patterns don't lie:
Look at last year's same venue: Fenway '22 opened with "Bertha," so did '23. Coincidence? Doubt it.
Weather changes songs: Rain = "Box of Rain" or "Looks Like Rain." Guaranteed.
Encore rules: "Brokedown Palace" for emotional closers, "US Blues" for party nights.
My failed prediction? Thought they'd debut "So Many Roads" for the final show. Got "Ripple" instead. Cried anyway.
Dead and Company Set List Archive Deep Cuts
These made fans lose it:
- 11/24/17 Detroit - First "Dark Star" in 47 shows
- 6/30/18 Eugene - Rarest: "Born Cross-Eyed"
- 7/14/19 Dallas - Only "To Lay Me Down" with Mayer
Pro tip: Soundchecks reveal more than set lists. Heard "Help on the Way" tease before St. Louis '22? They played it night three. Always chat with taper crews pre-show.
Fan Resources for Dead and Company Concert Set Lists
Beyond the big sites:
- Dead Set Lists Reddit - Threads dissecting Mayer's solos per song
- Herbibot SMS - Text "SETLIST [date]" to get it via message
- Dead & Co Official App - Push notifications when sets change
Print your own checklist? Tape it to your cooler. Cross off songs live. My buddy's from SPAC '17 framed a "Missed You" list – no "Scarlet" that night. Still haunts him.
Dead and Company Set List FAQs Answered Straight
How many songs per show?
Usually 14-18. First set: 7-9 tunes. Second: 4-5 plus drums/space. Encore: Always one, sometimes two.
Do they repeat songs in same city?
Almost never at multi-night stands. Saw "Playin’" both nights at Folsom '18? That was a glitch in the matrix.
Why so many covers?
Tradition. Dead always did Motown/folk/blues. Dead & Co added Mayer's blues picks like "Little Red Rooster."
Longest song ever played?
Boulder '22 "Playing in the Band" - 23 minutes. Drums included. Bathroom lines were brutal.
Can I request songs?
Ha! No. But hold up signs. That "El Paso" in Phoenix? Sign request. True story.
Look, set lists are living things. Night 3 at Wrigley '23, they scrapped "Sugaree" last minute for "Stella Blue." Bobby was emotional. That's the magic – no spreadsheet predicts heart.
Final thought? Stop stressing about the perfect Dead and Company set list. At Deer Creek '21, rain canceled second set. We got acoustic "Ripple" in the drizzle. Best "incomplete" set ever.
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