Grateful Dead Soldier Field shows to be broadcast in theaters

The Grateful Dead’s July 3-5 50th anniversary concerts at Soldier Field will be broadcast live at various movie theaters around the country.

Tickets for the theater broadcast will be available May 4, according to an announcement at the Fathom Events website (fathomevents.com). Fathom Events has previously worked with the Dead in presenting vintage concerts in theaters. The company, co-owned by three movie goliaths — AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings Inc. and Regal Entertainment Group — specializes in live digital broadcasts. Previous events have been broadcast in more than 750 theaters in 171 markets.

The broadcast has been in the works for months. Dead concert promoter Peter Shapiro told the Tribune in an interview several weeks ago that demand for the shows far exceeded expectations – all three Soldier Field shows sold out within minutes and tickets are selling on the secondary market at hundreds of dollars over face value.

“We’re going to try to create ways to experience the show outside the stadium, using technology,” Shapiro said. “Whether you’re at home or out in the community, we’re working on a way to bring the show to fans who aren’t in Soldier Field with high-level audio and video.”

The Dead previously announced that the Soldier Field shows will be the band’s final live concert appearances. The band – including original members Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart – also scheduled two 50th anniversary concerts June 27-28 in California.