Things that keep me awake at night (2)

Whilst we were away in New Zealand I became aware, probably through Facebook, that the surviving members of the Grateful Dead were to play 3 final gigs in Chicago in July 2015 to mark the launch of the Dead phenomenon 50 years ago. They'd recruited Jeff Chimenti (keyboards, Ratdog), Bruce Hornsby, and Trey Anastasio (guitar, Phish) to fill the gaps.

Initially I just logged this as something of interest but happening a long way away and not that relevant.

But then, a week before the tickets went on sale, my friend Mike, in Australia, left a Facebook message to the effect that did I know about these gigs and was I going?

Suddenly it was a realistic opportunity. (I decided in 2014 that we should use the savings we have if we want to, rather than just leave them in the bank. You're only 63 once!) C was supportive "I'll come to Chicago but I won't go to the concerts."

As we were still in New Zealand I put off making a decision until we got home when there would be 3 days to deliberate. I worked out that 10 am CST is 4 pm GMT and I'll be free to commandeer as many devices as we have to increase the chance of securing tickets. I was even prepared to up better the odds by trying for a hotel/tickets package ("with transport to and from the venue") at great expense.

But the day before I'm still undecided.

I'm awake during the night, fretting. C has apparently ruled herself out of this trip. I don't mind going solo. It could be a great chance to catch up with Mike and have another adventure together. And the tribal pull of being in a crowd of 70,000 other Deadheads, all celebrating the music together, is a huge one. And the band members have said this the last time they'll get together like this.

But ...a massive stadium - hardly the best venue for this. And a long way to travel, to somewhere not really on my list of 'must see' places. It wouldn't be worth it unless I got tickest for all three nights. And I haven't had universally good experiences with bands with ex-Dead members. I had a great time in New York seeing DSO but then was ill for 5/6 weeks when I got home. Then there's the Trey issue. A great guitarist, but as Mike pointed out is he right for this; can he "soar"?

In the morning I've decided. The prospect of being apart from C for the best part of a week (what id something happened to either of us?) clinches it before Mike says it's not financially viable for him.

In the event Ticketmaster reported that nearly half a million people tried to get tickets. They are now going for $2000, $4,500 for all 3 shows.