Dead Show/podcast for 6/6/25

Update: 2025-06-06

Digest

This podcast episode introduces a unique Grateful Dead concert recording from a French Chateau in 1971. Due to a cancelled festival, the band gave an unplanned three-hour performance. The episode previews this concert, promising a full airing across two parts. The first part details the circumstances surrounding the impromptu show, including the band's arrival at the chateau (previously inhabited by Chopin), the reasons for the festival cancellation (heavy rain), and the band's enjoyment of the chateau's wine cellar. The unique setting and the spontaneous nature of the performance are highlighted.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Show Overview

The episode introduces the Dead Pod and previews a unique Grateful Dead concert recording from a French Chateau in 1971, due to a cancelled festival. The full show will be played across two episodes.

00:00:06

The French Chateau Concert - Part 1

Details the circumstances of the Grateful Dead's impromptu concert at a Chateau formerly occupied by Chopin, after a festival was rained out. The band played for three hours, and the entourage enjoyed the Chateau's wine cellar.

Keywords

Grateful Dead

American rock band known for their improvisational live performances and jam band style. Formed in 1965, they are highly influential in rock music.

Impromptu Concert

An unplanned or spontaneous musical performance, often characterized by a unique atmosphere and energy. Often occurs due to unexpected circumstances.

French Chateau

A large French country house or castle. Historically associated with nobility and wealth, often featuring extensive grounds and vineyards.

Chopin

Frédéric Chopin, a renowned Polish composer of the Romantic era, known for his piano works. His music is characterized by elegance and lyricism.

1971 Grateful Dead Concert

A rare and unique Grateful Dead concert recording from a French Chateau in 1971.

Cancelled Festival

The reason for the Grateful Dead's impromptu concert at the French Chateau.

Q&A

What makes this Grateful Dead concert recording unique?
It was an impromptu performance at a French Chateau after a festival was cancelled due to heavy rain. The setting and circumstances are unusual for a Grateful Dead show.
Where and when did this concert take place?
The concert took place at a Chateau in France (formerly occupied by Chopin) in June 1971.

Show Notes

This week the Deadpod goes back to a crazy show that happened back on June 21, 1971, which was only the band's second performance in Europe.

Apparently they were invited to a outdoor festival in France by a rich fashion designer, who paid for the their transport, equipment and entourage to travel to Europe to play at this free festival. Well they were put in up some kind of nice Chateau, and the festival was rained out with a huge downpour. They sat around for a day or two and decided to break out the instruments and play at the grounds of the Chateau for the locals and those who traveled with them. The result is what we have here.. apparently the Chateau had quite a nice wine cellar which was liberated for the event and the audience spent a good deal of the time throwing each other into the pool..

I'm not at all sure that there were 'sets' in this show - this is how deadlists.com broke it down so I went with that - we'll hear the remainder next week..

Grateful Dead
Chateau d'Herouville
Herouville, France 6/21/1971 - Monday

One

Truckin'
Loser
Me And Bobby McGee
Next Time You See Me
Morning Dew
#Me And My Uncle
Hard To Handle
China Cat Sunflower >
I Know You Rider
Promised Land
Deal
Playing In The Band [4:27 ]
Big Boss Man [5:50 ]
Black Peter [7:53 ]
Bertha [5:30 ]