Chicago, IL (July 9, 2015) - Soldier Field made music history as The Grateful Dead played the last show of their five-day reunion concert series, and their career as a whole, at the SMG-managed stadium, which concluded on July 5th—nearly 20 years to the day of the last Grateful Dead Concert, which took place at the same venue.
“We would like to thank the city of Chicago, The Chicago Parks District, Peter Shapiro, and Madison House Presents for bringing this historical event to Chicago,” said Tim Lefevour, General Manager of Soldier Field.
The “Fare Thee Well” tour consisted of five shows, three of which were held at the stadium, bringing in over 71,000 attendees each night. The series of performances were a final farewell to both new and longtime fans, and celebrated the band’s 50th anniversary.
“Soldier Field has hosted the Grateful Dead for many performances over the years, but this was naturally a special occasion for people from all over the country to see these last performances,” said General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District Mike Kelly. “We are extremely pleased by the exceptional turnout with record breaking crowds at the stadium and the incremental revenue it brings to the Chicago Park District programs and facilities.”
While Sunday’s show marked the end of the Dead’s reunion concert series, the SMG team at Soldier Field immediately went back to work to prepare the field for the two upcoming Gold Cup soccer matches being held on Thursday, July 9. The matches will showcase 2014 CFU Caribbean Cup runner-up Trinidad & Tobago facing 2014 UNCAF Central American Cup runner-up Guatemala. The doubleheader will conclude with the Mexican National Team facing off against Cuba.
Next on the agenda for Soldier Field, July 18 and 19 will feature back to back Taylor Swift concerts, complementing the legendary Grateful Dead concert series and the three day Spring Awakening music festival held in mid-June. Following the Taylor Swift concerts will be Manchester U
nited facing off against Paris Saint-Germain on July 29 for the 2015 International Champions Cup North America, making this the biggest summer ever seen at Soldier Field.
