Dead & Company: Is Technology More Important Than The Music? 

I guess this somg comes to mind….”Let it flow, let yourself go Slow and low, that is the tempo”

This incarnation is definitely not the Grateful Dead. Late 80s Dead wins over this every time. Everything you said is spot on. The Dead were Jerry and Bill with Phil and Bob drizzled on top (the quirkiness of Phil and Bob made it very unique on top and around Jerry's contributions). Sprinkles of Mickey or Donna, or pick your keyboardist was ok, but what made it unique was those 4 playing together. I have probably seen 200-250 live shows in my life across a broad spectrum of bands/acts, and around 2017 I saw D&C at Alpine Valley and it was candidly horrible, one of the worst performances I'd ever seen. Who wants to hear a lethargic Easy Answers? Really? Sloppy, uninspired, slow, with few surprises and no new songs. Saw them last year at Wrigley and it was better, but I listened to some tracks from that show exclusive of the energy at Wrigley and it was dull and lacked that sparkle. There are a lot of great Dead tribute bands out there, and they can be a great time. That's where the music of the Dead, Hunter, and Barlow lives best for me at this moment. I may check out the Spere, but it'll likely be a more energetic crazy weird band...think Flaming Lips, Osees, etc.