Dark Star Orchestra at The Stage AE

Hailing in Chicago, Illinois, Dark Star Orchestra is a Grateful Dead cover band. While the Grateful Dead called it quits for good following their 50th Anniversary concerts a few years ago, their spirit continues to live on through the amazingly talented Dark Star Orchestra.

If you haven't already heard, the Dark Star Orchestra celebrates the legendary rock band with all the same instruments, soundboard and monitors that the Grateful Dead used. The current band members include Lisa Mackey (vocals), Rob Koritz (drums, percussion), Dino English (drums, percussion), Rob Eaton (rhythm guitar, vocals), Rob Barraco (keyboards, vocals), Jeff Mattson (lead guitar, vocals) and Skip Vangelas (bass, vocals). Now, that’s a quality lineup!!

Since the cover band formed in 1997, they have brought the magic of the Grateful Dead to stage and have yet to stop. Rob Koritz, the talented drummer and percussionist, told the News&Guide, “The biggest thing is, we can always keep it fresh,” he said. “It’s going to be different every night because the song is really just a blueprint. The lyrics are going to be the same every night, but the song is really just a transfer vehicle for improvisation, and we can take it anywhere we want.”

These legends are no strangers to epic live shows. Since forming, they have performed on stage thousands of times during their 30-year tenure, lighting venues up with Grateful Dead tunes and improvisational rock!! They’ve had sold out shows across the country, and The Washington Post even said they are "the hottest Grateful Dead tribute act going". Not only that but USA Today also said Dark Star Orchestra was "channeling the Dead" but what they do is not just a tribute to the Grateful Dead but a testament to the huge number of unique set lists the band performed in their long and successful career.

Ready to rock out with Pittsburgh’s most incredible music venue? Picture yourself immersed in the crowd amongst Grateful Dead’s hottest tribute act and vibing out to classics like “Touch of Grey” and “Ripple”. Gather your friends and grab your tickets now before it’s too late!