Black fans are building community around jam bands like Dave Matthews Band and Phish

More Black people are finding community when following their favorite jam bands, including groups like Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band and Phish.

QUINCY, Wash. — Decades ago, it was a rarity to spot a Black face among the hundreds of white concertgoers at a Dave Matthews Band, Phish or Grateful Dead show. Now it’s common to see a sprinkling of Black people at these jam band events. Little Black kids sport band T-shirts and Black couples pull up to venues in cars covered in band decals and bumper stickers. They’re right at home.