SMU

Officially licensed by Southern Methodist University and the Grateful Dead - available exclusively from Class Trip. The Grateful Dead played on campus at Southern Methodist University twice—first at McFarlin Auditorium on December 26, 1969, and later at Moody Coliseum on October 15, 1977. Both shows brought the Dead’s signature mix of psychedelia, blues, and Americana directly to the SMU community. The ’69 show, early in the band’s evolution, introduced Dallas students to their raw, exploratory sound. By the time they returned in ’77—during what many fans consider the peak of their live performances—the Dead had become a touring force. These shows didn’t just bring music to campus; they brought a movement. SMU students were swept up in the band’s ethos of freedom, improvisation, and connection. Whether packed into Moody or replaying bootlegs in dorm rooms, the Dead’s presence at SMU helped plant Deadhead roots deep in Dallas, and left a lasting mark on the school’s cultural memory.