This weekend, Dead & Company will honor the 60th anniversary of the iconic Grateful Dead with a remarkable trio of concerts set to take place in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. However, the excitement surrounding this milestone has been overshadowed for many fans due to the exorbitant ticket prices that have caused quite a stir in the community.

Fans, often referred to as Deadheads, are experiencing significant sticker shock as general admission three-day passes are being sold for a staggering $635 on Ticketmaster. For those willing to invest in a more exclusive experience, VIP tickets are priced at an eye-watering $1,725, which includes premium viewing, enhanced restroom facilities, and access to exclusive food and beverage vendors. In contrast, resale tickets for general admission are currently listed at $279 on Seatgeek, highlighting the disparity in pricing.

These shocking prices reflect a broader trend in the current live music scene, yet many long-time fans of the Grateful Dead feel that this shift represents a betrayal of the band’s founding principles of community and inclusivity.

Fan Reactions: Ticket Prices Viewed as a Betrayal to Grateful Dead Values

As expressed by journalist Carly Schwartz’s father, “This whole thing is just a big money grab, a real ‘fuck you’ to the fans.” Schwartz reported on the steep ticket prices for the San Francisco Standard, emphasizing the stark contrast to the band’s history. “It totally goes against what the Grateful Dead was all about. Jerry Garcia is rolling over in his grave.”

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Schwartz further elaborated that prior to Garcia‘s passing in 1995, the costliest tickets for a Grateful Dead concert were approximately $35, which adjusts to about $73 when considering inflation. Additionally, the band famously held several free concerts in Golden Gate Park during the ’60s and ’70s, reinforcing their commitment to accessibility.

Some frustrated fans have cited the exhaustion following Dead & Company‘s “final tour” in 2023, coupled with upcoming residencies at the Las Vegas Sphere in both 2024 and 2025. A dedicated Dead aficionado commented to the Standard that the 60th anniversary events feel more like a “hype gimmick,” with ticket costs running counter to the band’s cultural ethos.

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“Now you have to let the money talk and dictate whether or not you make it into a show,” they stated. “It’s not necessarily fair for a culture and crowd that’s not supposed to be known for possessions or money. Who gets to go to these shows? How much is enough?”

Others have voiced concerns that the ticket prices set by Dead & Company are not reflective of the venue’s quality.

One Reddit user indignantly remarked, “Are they fu**ing serious?! This is a damn polo field, not a 2.3 billion-dollar Sphere!” They noted that single-day tickets for the Sphere, if purchased during the presale, began around $145. Yet, the pricing for the Dead & Company shows is set to be at least $100 higher right from the start, which many perceive as disrespectful to the fanbase. “In my opinion, it really shows that the city isn’t doing this for any commemorative reasons for the Dead, but rather, for the money. This is blatant price gouging.”

Despite the controversy surrounding ticket costs, the 60th anniversary concerts are expected to attract tens of thousands of attendees to Golden Gate Park this weekend. For those unable to attend in person due to financial constraints or other reasons, there is an opportunity to watch the third and final performance streamed live in IMAX theaters across North America on August 3rd.