One year ago today, the surviving core members of the Grateful Dead said goodbye at Soldier Field in Chicago after three nights at the venue that houses the Chicago Bears and two previously in Santa Clara, CA. The show started with the band, which also included Anastasio, Hornsby and Chimenti, saluting the crowd before getting into the opening pairing of “China Cat Sunflower” and “I Know You Rider.”

For the intense gravity of the moment, there wasn’t a whole lot of reflection or ceremonial offerings. Sure, fireworks shot out from the top of the venue at seemingly every stoppage in action and fans certainly approached it as a “last show ever” type of situation, but those on stage treated it like it was a Tuesday night in the middle of a lengthy summer tour, just plugging away through tunes like “Estimated Prophet,” “Throwing Stones,” “Althea,” “Terrapin Station” and many others. 

The show’s emotional climax came towards the end as a three-song celebration of the Dead’s immense career started with “Not Fade Away,” that evening’s set closer. As images of the band’s past flashed on the screen, the audience led them off stage for the encore break, clapping along to the tune. The finale came with “Touch of Grey,” led by Anastasio as Bob Weir donned a “Let Trey Sing” shirt, and an emotional “Attics of My Life” which allowed each member to have a curtain call of sorts as their images, along with images from deceased members, were flashed on the stadium’s jumbotron. After that, it was all over. 

Relive highlights from that evening below. 

“China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider” 

“Throwing Stones”

“Althea”

“Not Fade Away”

“Touch of Grey”

“Attics of My Life”