As the "core four" members of the Grateful Dead — Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh and Bill Kreutzmann — prepare for a series of sold out "Fare Thee Well" shows in Chicago this July for which they'll be joined by Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio, it's possible that the band will announce more performances in the Bay Area. A source close to the band has confirmed to Billboard the fan blog buzz of a few shows leading up to the capstone performances in Chicago.
The Dead are reportedly considering the shows for the weekend before the "Fare Thee Well" series of July 4th weekend at home in the territory that gave the band its start. Most likely the venue for the prospective June 27-28 performances would be Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, but shows could possibly be held at San Francisco's AT&T Park.
The move would make particular sense considering demand for the Chicago shows, which are sold out at 210,000 with ticket requests in the millions. The capacity at Levi's stadium is 68,500.
The Chicago "Fare Thee Well" performances fall 20 years after late Dead bandleaderJerry Garcia played his final show with the group in that same venue, Soldier Field. Without intruding on the July 4th weekend finale status for Chicago Deadheads, the preceding Bay Area shows might further contextualize the group and its long, strange trip.
Update: Yep it's true! The band has confirmed June 27 and 28 at Levi's Stadium.
