Deadheads are flocking to Chicago this weekend to catch the Grateful Dead’s much-heralded Fare Thee Well 50th anniversary shows at Soldier Field. For some, it’ll be a chance to finally see their icons live. For others, it’ll be a like a flashback to other happy times. But we do know one thing: a lot of these fans will not be sober.
And in order to ensure a good experience for everyone involved, the Dead have taken it upon themselves to inform the security team for their three-show run about what they might encounter during the stint — namely, folks tripping balls on LSD. And they’d like them to be treated appropriately. A leaked document unearthed by LiveforLiveMusic.com describes the proper protocol.
Among the more urgent tenets:
•Do not refer to these guests as “tripping.” They should be referred to as “IPR” (Intense Psychedelic Response)
•Approach calmly
• Aggressive posture or behavior may produce an escalated, combative confrontation with the guest.
The document also breaks down what a pleasurable experience (“repetitive hand motions”) versus an upsetting one looks like (“removes clothes, PDA”). See the complete list of the Grateful Dead’s Security Do’s and Don’ts for Dealing with LSD enthusiasts on LiveforLiveMusic.com. And remember this decades-old proverb: Don’t eat the brown acid.
