Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-01-18
Photo credit The_Observatory_ (Reddit)
In a powerful night of improvisation and tribute last Wednesday, Spafford lit up Barley’s Taproom in Knoxville with a set that will be remembered by fans for a very long time. With the music world still processing the passing of Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir on January 10, Spafford delivered a heartfelt musical nod to the late legend with a stunning 56-minute performance of “The Other One.”
The show began with what may be one of the most immersive renditions of the classic Dead jam ever heard from the band, stretching the piece into a sustained exploration of rhythm, texture, and cosmic interplay. From there, Spafford’s second set continued to push boundaries, blending familiar originals with creative sequencing that kept the packed crowd engaged from start to finish.
Full Setlist
I: The Other One (Grateful Dead)
II: Fake The Fate → Mind’s Unchained, Shelter in Place → Darkness Singularity
Encore: Sham Time (Eddie Harris)
Spafford’s performance of “The Other One” resonated as both a tribute and a statement—acknowledging the rich legacy of Grateful Dead improvisation while underscoring the band’s own fearless approach to long-form exploration. The moment carried particular weight given the community’s collective mourning of Weir, whose rhythmic innovations and musical curiosity helped shape the jam band landscape into what it is today.
Spafford continues to build momentum on their Winter Tour 2026, with more shows across the Southeast and beyond. For more information on upcoming tour dates, or to listen to Spafford’s live shows, visit www.spafford.net, Spafford’s YouTube page, or your Nugs.net account.
2026 Tour Dates
1.15 Barrelhouse Ballroom – Chattanooga, TN
1.16 Basement East – Nashville, TN
1.17 Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA #
1.18 Saturn – Birmingham, AL
1.21 The Heights Theater – Houston, TX $
1.22 Antone’s – Austin, TX *
1.23 Antone’s – Austin, TX **
1.24 The Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX %
2.17 The Ranch – Fort Myers, FL ^
2.18 Colonial Oak Music Park – St. Augustine, FL
2.19 Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival – Brooksville, FL
2.20 Terra Fermata – Stuart, FL
2.21 Tigre Island Room – Fernandina Beach, FL
3.03 Ziggy’s – Greensboro, NC
3.04 5 Points Music Sanctuary – Roanoke, VA
3.05 Tally Ho Theater – Leesburg, VA
3.06 The State Theatre – State College, PA
3.07 Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY
3.08 Bearsville Theater – Woodstock, NY
3.10 The Drake – Amherst, MA
3.11 Ardmore Music Hall – Ardmore, PA
3.12 The Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY &
3.13 The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA
3.14 afterthoughts – Waitsfield, VT
3.15 Infinity Music Hall – Hartford, CT
3.22 Peaks & Beats – Keystone, CO
# w/ FRUTE
$ w/ Bayou City Funk
* w/ Nether Hour
** w/ Zack Morgan & Friends
% w/ Dev Wulf & The Midnight Howl
^ w/ Moonstone Riders
& w/ Shapes
