Dark Star Orchestra and its fans escaped the frigid temperatures plaguing the U.S. in favor of a tropical climate for Jam In The Sand 2024. The Grateful Dead tribute band’s annual Jamaican getaway brought snowbirds to the Jewel Paradise Cove resort in Runaway Bay for four days and nights of DSO along with sets by Melvin Seals & JGB, Circles Around The Sun, and Donna The Buffalo.
Dark Star Orchestra bookended Jam In The Sand 2024 with a pair of complete Grateful Dead concert recreations, which have become the group’s calling card throughout its 25-plus-year run. The event kicked off on Tuesday, January 9th with a full reenactment of the Dead’s April 6th, 1978 show from Campus Stadium at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Jam In The Sand then came to a close with a retelling of the Grateful Dead’s July 3rd, 1978 concert at St. Paul Civic Center in Minnesota.
Throughout the week, Dark Star Orchestra performed three two-set concerts on the beach in addition to a special afternoon Sunshine Set on the remaining day. Saxophonist Ron Holloway sat in for the entirety of Melvin Seals’ Wednesday afternoon set, even though he was not announced as part of the lineup. Holloway had decided to get a head start on his Jamaican vacation, as he was slated to play with Gov’t Mule during the band’s Island Exodus event at the same resort a few days later. Similarly, Melvin Seals & JGB were overachievers and played on Monday, January 8th for the folks who got to the resort before the festival’s official start day on Tuesday.
Related: Dark Star Orchestra Details 2024 Winter Tour Dates
Check out a collection of photos from Dark Star Orchestra’s Jam In The Sand 2024 courtesy of photographer Joanna Gleason along with some videos from nognuisagoodgnu. The band is back in the U.S. and will resume touring on January 25th with a show in Tempe, AZ. For tickets and a full list of tour dates visit DSO’s website.
Melvin Seals & JGB – “Stir It Up” (Bob Marley) – 1/8/24
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