Week in Rock: Dancing Bear Edition
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<strong>The Dead to Tour</strong><p>Another week, another hippie jam band reunion. Not to have their thunder stolen by Phish, the reconstituted "Dead" (made up of the 4 remaining members of the Grateful Dead) announced a series of major arena shows this week, touring together for the first time in 5 years. While reunited members of the group have played various shows following Jerry Garcia's death as "The Other Ones," the band officially renamed themselves "The Dead" in 2003, solidifying the remaining group. Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart will share the stage with perpetual stand-in Warren Haynes, who all played a one-off Obama benefit last year before deciding to hit the road once again this year. The tour will make plenty of local stops for any remaining (and wealthy) deadheads, with two shows at the Meadowlands, one at Nassau Coliseum, and one night at MSG. Tickets are a hefty $98 each, and <a href="https://secure.ticketstoday.com/TheDead/calendar.aspx">on sale now.</a></p>
<strong>Ryan Adams Quits Music via Tumblr</strong><p>2008 was a pretty busy year for Ryan Adams, releasing a new album, playing shows both big (MSG with Oasis) and small (afternoon set <a href="http://www.themodernage.org/2008/10/28/david-ryan-adams-goes-gonzo-with-a-secret-late-lunch-show-in-nyc/">at Cafe Select</a>.) But if he gets his way, 2009 will be a lot more laid back. The often unpredictable Alt-Country crooner announced <a href="http://cave.cardinology.com/">via his blog</a> that after his current run of shows that end in March, <a href="http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/01/ryan_adams_taki.html">he's done</a>, citing among other things, an inner ear issue that has been affecting his hearing. While he has since taken down the Tumblr post, as he often does with his blog entries, it does not appear he has backed down on his claim, continuing to defend his decision on the site from fans and critics who have to publicly called him out. Considering how prolific Adams has been this decade, it will surprise few if he does come out of retirement sooner rather than later, but for the time being, this seems to be it. His final area show will be at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ. Tickets are <a href="http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?pid=6407717">still available</a>.</p>