Once again we've gone to unsurpassed lengths to create the most prestigious, exclusive and extravagant festival experience possible! We are so excited for this year's line up. This will be the 4th Annual Grateful Festival, and it keeps getting bigger and better! We'll be back again at our new venue, Fort Tuthill Fairgrounds. The outdoor and indoor grounds are massive, with room for everyone to dance, party together, relax in the shade or just have your own space. The musical lineup includes returning favorites as well as some new bands this year.
We're kicking things off in grand style with a Friday night welcome show, featuring the one and only Electric Waste Band from Ocean Beach, CA. They've been rocking the Southern California area since 1989! This will be their first time playing in Flagstaff, and they're so good we're having them play two shows!
To start our Saturday we are honored to have Grateful Dead Hatha Yoga with Kali Ray Torres who will help us channel our inner force and energy. Kali Ray has trained extensively in many healing forms. Providing music during the yoga session will be Craig Yarbrough performing songs off his new CD. Craig is a classical guitar master and blew everyone away in 2022! Next up is Prescott JRAD, a nonstop improvisational wonder. Las Vegas legends Catfish John are back again this year, and the sure bet is that they'll be rocking. Also new to GF23 is Detroit Lightning out of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and you won't want to miss their jamming set! Hot on their heels will be an afternoon set from Flagstaff's own Flagship of Fools who always tear it up! Another 1st timer will be Dave A'Bear's A Very Jerry Band. They're an all-star band who'll be showing us how they do JGB in Colorado. After that Electric Waste Band will be back with more great music for their second show! Phoenix favorites Xtra Ticket featuring Dave A'Bear are back again and peforming on the Wolf Stage. And finally, we're super excited to bring you Cubensis who will be playing Flagstaff and Grateful Festival for the first time. Their headlining set on the Tiger Stage will be 2 hours of amazing Dead!
On Sunday we'll begin with more yoga and music by Kali and Craig to get us ready for a full day of adventure. We'll start with blues explosion Pigg Ben & Dead Ass, tearing up that Pigpen-era Grateful Dead while adding a hint of Stevie Ray Vaughn and Band of Gypsies! Another new addition to GF23 are The Storytellers from Southern California, bringing jamgrass versions of your favorite Dead tunes, and they're one of the hottest new festival acts in the SW! Next up is California's prodigal son Nate LaPointe debuting a special duo set with his special guest to be announced soon. New on the outdoor stage for GF23 will be a classic set by The Harvest who always put on a fun show. Returning again from Albuquerque is Let it Grow with Lonn Calanca who blew us away in 2021 and will be closing down the Wolf Stage. Tucson legends Legion of Mario will then be melting faces on the Tiger Stage and taking you to that special place. Finally, back again and closing out GF23 on the Tiger Stage is Colorado's best new band Steely Dead, who seamlessly blend Steely Dan and Grateful Dead songs to perfection!
All the bands are stoked to be jamming with us in Flagstaff. We'll be bringing you special sets, special guests and twists on what you thought you knew! With fresh air and gorgeous mountains, another epic Grateful Festival awaits you.