On Saturday, July 11th, Miss Liberty watched familiar faces come together to share the timeless tradition of gathering together for music and dance. Tye-dyed Deadheads old and new converged to sing and dance to the Dark Star Orchestra for the first of many killer concerts at The Beach at Governor’s Island.
Early Saturday afternoon, the kickoff day arrived and the bands started rolling in with their gear. One by one, the bands set up, and played their sound checks. I knew I was in for a memorable night of music.
Around six p.m. Pete Francis, of the much beloved Dispatch, rolled on stage with his current backing band, Barefoot Truth. They got the crowd to move from the beach to the stage very quickly. I even found myself lost in a foot stomping frenzy (or at least trying to. It’s pretty hard to lift your leg when you weigh 450,000 pounds).
Francis led the band through originals, as well as killer extended versions of “Carry Me” and “Two Coins” that rivaled any take done by the band that made him a known name. At the end of their roots rockin’ set I was all warmed up and ready for more.
In between sets, hippies and music lovers alike continued to trickle on to the island from the ferries. Unfortunately, I was not able to join them as I will not leave my appointed post on Liberty Island.
However, standing a statuesque 150 feet tall, I had a terrific view of the party. Now that you can once again visit the inside of my head, I encourage you to join me for the next show. Best seat in the house.
Next up, was jam band icon and one-man band phenomenon, Keller Williams. Like me, Keller stands on stage alone, projecting more energy and excitement then he could as a whole band. Playing a set just over sixty minutes, Williams visited most of his catalogue, including fan favorites “Celebrate Your Youth” and “Kidney in a Cooler” as well as a ripping experimental cover of Phish’s “Birds of a Feather,” which was a pleasant surprise for a crowd who are most likely relishing in the return of the Vermont foursome.
Rob Koritz, drummer for Dark Star Orchestra, came out to do the percussion part of “Kidney,” and as I will mention shortly, Keller returned the favor. Keller is a really great person and an outstanding performer, and I hope the producers bring him back to The Beach again soon.
Rob Koritz, drummer for Dark Star Orchestra, came out to do the percussion part of “Kidney,” and as I will mention shortly, Keller returned the favor. Keller is a really great person and an outstanding performer, and I hope the producers bring him back to The Beach again soon.
Once the sun went down, all I could see were the bright colorful lights from the stage. From what it seemed like, the crowd found their spots and let the feelings of Grateful Dead nostalgia take over. I have been standing here since 1886, and have experienced the Dead’s whole career.
Yours truly caught many an epic show in the tri-state area from Giants Stadium, to Madison Square Garden, the Capitol Theater in Passaic, and many more. I was even able to hear some parts of the fabled Barton Hall show at Cornell in May 1977. So yes, I would consider myself a Deadhead, and Dark Star Orchestra did not disappoint in replicating the Dead’s music.
Playing an original set list made up of famous songs by the Grateful Dead, Dark Star Orchestra pleased the crowd from the fans on the railing, to those dancing and twirling in the sand on the beach. With my torch in the air, I stood saluting the dead-ication of the Deadheads who danced and partied through the night.
Opening the set with a funky “Feels Like a Stranger,” DSO rolled through classics such as “Ramblin’ Rose,” “Dancin’ in the Street” and a fun “Eyes of the World” that featured Keller Williams on guitar taking over on lead vocals for a verse or two, right before he had to hurry off stage to make a ferry back to Manhattan.
Opening the set with a funky “Feels Like a Stranger,” DSO rolled through classics such as “Ramblin’ Rose,” “Dancin’ in the Street” and a fun “Eyes of the World” that featured Keller Williams on guitar taking over on lead vocals for a verse or two, right before he had to hurry off stage to make a ferry back to Manhattan.
Though the excitement lasted throughout the show, and the impending thunderstorm held off for the majority of the night, mother nature did not oblige. When she struck, she raged with brutal rain and lighting, forcing the producers to make the appropriate call to end the show an hour early, right after a version of the infamous "Truckin".
Once again, my favorite music blogger, Brooklyn Vegan, gave the The Beach at Governors Island a nod, with some pictures and videos which show why The Beach is well worth the ferry trip. I hope everyone had as much a grand ole’ time as I did, and I look forward to sharing in the groove with y’all soon.
Miss "Deadhead" Liberty
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