Concert review: Sunshine Daydream made me a temporary Deadhead

The Springfield-based Grateful Dead tribute spread peace, love and some killer jams at the Lincoln Theater in Decatur

Sunshine Daydream performing at the Lincoln Square Theater in Decatur. Behind them is a tapestry designed by legendary Springfield-based Grateful Dead tie dye artist Yano Harris for the Woodstock 50th Anniversary Fest. It was the first time the band was able to use it.

They say you either love or hate the Grateful Dead, but not me. I always just liked them.

Other than “Touch of Gray,” I’d never really heard much of them until I got to Western Illinois University in Macomb my sophomore year in 1993. Once I got there, it seemed like EVERYONE listened to them. I picked up the greatest hits CD used and, while I never became the level of fan many who enjoy their music do, when “Uncle John’s Band” came on the juke downstairs at the Cafe in Macomb in the mid-90s, I sang along, too.

Through the years, I listened to the band’s album, American Beauty, but had never gotten too much past the surface level, though I was always intrigued by the band’s huge army of fans, the hippy vibe and the live music community.

Last summer, while seeing a friend’s band at the Legacy of Giving music festival in Springfield, I wandered past a band called Pinch of Grace — a Jerry Garcia Band tribute. I loved how specific that was and was immediately drawn to their sound and some badass guitar playing. I loved the selection of songs they did — some I recognized and some I didn’t. I immediately went online to find out more and discovered the members of the band were part of a larger band — a Grateful Dead tribute called Sunshine Daydream.

I missed a couple of opportunities to see them but landed a front row spot to see them at the historic Lincoln Square Theater in Decatur on Saturday, March 22.

I listened to a lot of the Dead’s catalog in preparation for the show and have gotten into a lot more of their lesser known (outside the Dead community) music, but don’t feel in the least bit qualified to do any Dead-based lists or rankings. But I was glad I had familiarized myself, because Sunshine Daydream didn’t just perform “the hits.” In fact, I found the set interesting enough that I’ll definitely see them again.

A shot from the stage — I’m in this photo if you look at the crowd toward the front. PHOTO CREDIT: LINCOLN SQUARE THEATER FACEBOOK

Here’s a look at the night:

‘Some folks up in treetops’

The band had me hooked immediately with quintessential Dead opener “Jack Straw,” and further charmed me with a great version of “Angel From Montgomery,” with Olivia Tasch shining on vocals.

The highlight of the set was “Playing In the Band” morphing into “Uncle John’s Band,” then back to “Playing In the Band.” Chris Jensen and Andy Hoff are the dual vocal/guitar attack, ala Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, and are up to the challenge — it had been Jensen all those months back who had gotten my attention with Pinch of Grace in the first place, and it was easy to see why.

This was not my first time at the Lincoln Square Theater, though it was my first time seeing a concert there. They advertise the venue as being acoustically perfect, and it did sound damn good.

The crowd was the usual for anything in Decatur not held at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater — not great in number, but those there were mostly engaged. There were a lot of people milling around in the lobby for some reason. But those who actually stayed in the theater were into it, and there was a good crowd (including me) up front that stood and danced most of the show.

Matt Carter Band members, from left, Brian Mangan and Matt Carter.

Matt Carter Band soulshines

The Matt Carter Band opened for Sunshine Daydream — this was my second time seeing them. I’d also caught them at Harlem Hayfield’s album release party. While Carter performed many of the same originals, there were some surprise covers that turned out to be right up my alley.

Carter announced before the first of the two covers that surprised me that his guitarist, Brian Mangan, had been trying to talk him into doing “Ramblin’ Man” for awhile, and he finally relented. Harmonica player A.J Berry added a nice touch to the Allman Brothers classic. Then Sunshine Daydream keyboardist Mike Tasch came out for the final song, along with guest singer Heather Pistorius, and they dropped my jaw with a second Allman Brothers cover in “Soulshine” — a well-documented favorite of mine.

Merch!

Right when I walked in the door, I was handed a poster with this image on it. I would’ve paid for it! Very cool and memorable! Between that and the tapestry designed by legendary Springfield-based Grateful Dead tie dye artist Yano Harris for the Woodstock 50th Anniversary Fest that the band performed in front of (not for sale!), there were some cool touches you don’t see at your average tribute band show.

More Sunshine

If you’re intrigued by what you’ve heard about Sunshine Daydream and want to start following them around Grateful Dead style, here are some more chances to see them:

Friday, April 4 — Curve Inn, Springfield

Saturday, April 12 — Spring Loose 2025 at Three Sisters Park, Chillicothe

Saturday, April 19 — The Holiday Concert: 420’s Eve!, Blue Grouch Pub, Springfield

Saturday, May 17 — The Stadium Smokehouse, Springfield

Saturday, May 31 —KC Lake Club Fish Fry, Chatham

Friday, June 13 — Long Bridge Golf Course Outdoor Show, Springfield

Matt Carter Band performing “Soulshine”

Sunshine Daydream performing “Angel From Montgomery”

Sunshine Daydream performing “Friend of the Devil”

Sunshine Daydream performing “Playing In the Band”