Dave Matthews joins Trixie Garcia and Jamie Williams (president of The Wilderness society) in conversation during Rainforest Benefit Concert
The benefit concert is being put on to raise awareness about Alaska’s Tongass National Forest which is the largest temperate rainforest, and one of the most carbon-storing terrestrial ecosystems on the Earth. The performance is being held in the spirit of the Grateful Dead’s Rainforest Benefit Concert which was originally held at Madison Square Garden back on September 24, 1988.
The livestream is in part to honor Jerry Garcia’s enduring musical, artistic, and environmental legacy on top of raising awareness about Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. FANS and KEEN x Garcia are also bringing in Suzanne Vega and Jack Casady (Hot Tuna) — who played 33 years ago at the Grateful Dead’s Rainforest Benefit — to participate with a musical performance.
In addition to the musical performances, there will also be multiple conversations. One featuring Dave Matthews (Dave Matthews Band and a member of The Wilderness Society’s Governing Council), Trixie Garcia (head of the Jerry Garcia family estate and daughter of Jerry Garcia), and The Wilderness Society. And a second one featuring Gary Lambert (Tales from the Golden Road on SiriusXM’s Grateful Dead Channel), Ebet Roberts (legendary photographer who captured the Grateful Dead’s Rainforest Benefit Concert on September 24, 1988 at Madison Square Garden), and Charlie Miller (renowned Grateful Dead taper).
The full line-up of featured performers include: ALO, Benevento/Russo Duo, Cassandra Jenkins, Doom Flamingo, Duane Betts, Emilio Castillo (Tower of Power), Fruit Bats, Infamous Stringdusters, Jack Casady, Jackie Venson, JoJo Hermann, Kellen Asebroek (Fruition), Keller Williams, Kitchen Dwellers, Lael Neale, Lettuce, Lureto (robotrio), MIkaela Davis, Moon Taxi, Nicki Bluhm, Olivia Reid, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Rocky Mountain Grateful Dead Revue, Southern Avenue, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Stella Blues Band, Suzanne Vega, Tash Neal, TAUK, and The Hold Steady.
The Rainforest Benefit Concert will be a free event, but donations are encouraged to protect the Tongass rainforest of Alaska. Fans watching from home will also be motivated to sign a petition asking President Biden and his administration to protect the Tongass National Forest.