Gillian Welch & David Rawlings announce ‘Grateful Dead Acoustic Reckoning’ tour dates, Newport Folk Fest included

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings are known for their own songs — like the 10 on their wonderful 2024 album Woodland — but this spring they’ll be going on a short tour where they’ll play the songs of The Grateful Dead in celebration of the Dead’s acoustic live album Reckoning’s 45th anniversary. They’ll play songs from that record and other classic Grateful Dead songs, all acoustically.

“The Grateful Dead flirted with acoustic music throughout their career, until they released the Reckoning album, 45 years ago,” they say. “We have flirted with Grateful Dead music throughout our career, until this anniversary was suggested as a good reason to book these shows. We know the Dead’s music is a mountain, and we’re hoping to start up from base camp this Spring in celebration of their legacy.”

The tour begins with three nights at a place the Dead played often, Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre on April 9-11, and then head to Oakland, CA’s Fox Theatre on April 17 & 18, and finally New Orleans’ Saenger Theatre on April 23. Tickets for these shows go on sale Friday, February 13 at 10 AM local time.

Gillian and David will also bring the Grateful Dead Acoustic Reckoning to Newport Folk Festival on July 25. All dates are listed below.

GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS PLAY GRATEFUL DEAD ACOUSTIC RECKONING TOUR DATES
April 9 – Port Chester, NY at The Capitol Theatre
April 10 – Port Chester, NY at The Capitol Theatre
April 11 – Port Chester, NY at The Capitol Theatre
April 17 – Oakland, CA at Fox Theater
April 18 – Oakland, CA at Fox Theater
April 23 – New Orleans, LA at Saenger Theatre
July 25 – Newport, RI at Newport Folk Festival