Bearly Dead

The Gospel of Garcia

Bearly Dead celebrates Jerry’s 83rd with a spirit-filled set.

The Stone Church - Newmarket, NH - August 1st, 2025

Troy Bass, contributor

A chapel fit for rock ’n’ roll gods. On what would have been Jerry Garcia’s 83rd birthday, Bearly Dead lit up the intimate yet infamous Stone Church in Newmarket, New Hampshire. The Dead vibes were high, and I was ready to kick off the annual celebration of Jerry’s life, starting with his birth (August 1), flowing into “The Days Between” (August 2–8), and closing on his passing (August 9).

Formed in 2015 in Boston, Bearly Dead quickly became a fixture in the Northeast jam scene, earning a reputation for high-energy interpretations of Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band classics. Over the past decade, they’ve built a devoted following, from weekly residencies to national tours, while keeping the music fresh with deep cuts, extended jams, and unexpected setlist twists. The current lineup, Tyler Brooks (drums, vocals), Michael Butler (vocals, percussion), Sarah Elaz (bass), Nick Swift (guitar, vocals), and Kris Yunker (keys/organ/synth, vocals), wasted no time diving in.

The first set brought a mix of Jerry Garcia Band staples and Grateful Dead favorites. Highlights for me included a sunny “China Cat Sunflower” and a fiery “Tangled Up in Blue,” sung by a mysterious guest perched in the corner with maracas in hand all night. I didn’t catch his name, but his sit-in didn’t disappoint.

The second set kept the momentum rolling. You could tell they were having a blast honoring the man who paved the way, especially during a funk-infused “Shakedown Street.” They wrapped with the unmistakable “Casey Jones” before returning for a perfectly timed encore.

By the end of the night, it was clear, Bearly Dead had done Jerry proud, delivering a heartfelt celebration worthy of the man himself.

1st Set: Cats Under Stars > They Love Each Other, Gomorrah, Tough Mama, Brown-Eyed Woman, Tangled Up in Blue, Crazy Fingers > China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider

2nd Set: Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Mission in the Rain > Shakedown Street, That’s What Love Will Make You Do, Dark Star, He’s Gone, Stella Blue, Casey Jones

Encore: Cold Rain and Snow > Ripple