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Dead & Friends at Funk ‘n Waffles on a Monday night. Yeah, it’s a weeknight. No, that doesn’t matter. If you’re a Deadhead — or even Dead-curious — this is the kind of show that turns a random Monday into the best night of your week. The spirit of the Grateful Dead lives in rooms like this, with bands like this, playing for crowds that get it.
About Dead & Friends
Dead & Friends keeps the Grateful Dead songbook alive and breathing. This isn’t a rigid cover band trying to replicate every note — it’s a celebration of the music, with the jams stretching out and the setlists keeping you guessing. The Dead’s catalog is one of the deepest in American music, and hearing it played live by musicians who truly love the material is always a special experience. You never know which songs are going to show up or where the improvisation will take them. The beauty of Dead music is that it belongs to everyone — the songs are vessels for improvisation, and every performance adds a new chapter to their ongoing story. Dead & Friends understands that responsibility and embraces it fully, treating every gig as a chance to find something new in familiar territory.
The Venue
Funk ‘n Waffles in Syracuse is the perfect room for Dead music. The 200-capacity space has that warm, communal feel that Grateful Dead shows have always been about. The sound wraps around you, the crowd sways together, and the waffles keep you fueled for a long night of jams. It’s exactly the kind of venue where this music thrives — no barriers between the band and the audience, just shared experience.
Tickets & Details
Dead & Friends play Funk ‘n Waffles on Monday, March 30, 2026. Doors at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $13. Get tickets.
For thirteen bucks, you’re getting a full night of some of the most beloved music ever written, played by people who live and breathe this stuff. Monday night might not be the obvious choice for a show, but that’s part of the charm — the crowd is there because they want to be, not because it’s the trendy thing to do. Grab your dancing shoes and get to Funk ‘n Waffles. The Dead never die. If you’ve been meaning to dip your toes into the Grateful Dead universe, a show like this at a venue like this is the gentlest, most welcoming entry point you could ask for.