Article Contributed by Alexius Lipot
Published on 2026-11-14
The home of the Moog, Asheville, North Carolina, welcomed Grateful Shred with open arms on Thursday, November 12, as the band took the stage at The Orange Peel. What an incredible venue for an unforgettable night of music! With its old speakeasy-meets-industrial-hangar vibe, The Orange Peel holds an energy all its own, carrying the history of the countless incredible artists who have walked through its doors over the years. And, of course, as soon as you enter the venue, you're greeted with a pretty special piece of musical history: an original, working Moog synthesizer that guests can actually play!
Inside, the venue was filled with Deadheads ready for a night of dancing, and Grateful Shred wasted absolutely no time getting things moving. The band kicked things off with “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo,” immediately setting the tone and sending the crowd into motion. The smiles only grew as they followed it with “Beat It On Down the Line” and “Hard to Handle.”
With the dance floor in full swing and a circle of dancers forming around the perimeter of the venue, the band rolled into the always-fun “Mama Tried,” jamming straight into “Mexicali Blues.” Keeping the momentum going, Grateful Shred rounded out the first set with “Passenger” and “Hey Pocky Way,” leaving the crowd more than ready for what was still to come.
After a short break, the band returned to a roaring welcome, launching into “Help on the Way” / “Slipknot!” and jamming their way into “Franklin’s Tower.” The energy inside The Orange Peel was electric, and things only continued to build as the band moved into “Terrapin Station,” flowing into “Playing in the Band.”
From there, the musicians took everyone on an incredible ride, moving seamlessly into “Drums,” followed by “Shakedown Street.” Without missing a beat, the jam continued into “Space” and eventually “If I Had the World to Give.” It was one of those musical journeys that reminded everyone in the room why this music continues to bring generations of fans together.
For a moment, it felt like we had been transported right back to the incredible days of the Grateful Dead. By the time the band left the stage, the crowd was drenched in sweat from dancing, cheering, and soaking up every minute of the music. But Asheville wasn't ready to call it a night just yet!
The cheers and applause continued until Grateful Shred returned to the stage for an encore, treating the crowd to “El Paso” before bringing the evening to a close with “The Race Is On.”
What a night! From the musicianship and extended jams to the nonstop dancing and unmistakable Deadhead spirit filling the room, Grateful Shred delivered exactly what everyone came for. The Orange Peel was alive with music, memories, and pure joy, leaving everyone with one more reminder of why this music never stops bringing people together.
