Meyer Sound anchors the sonic heart of Jerry Garcia

Dayglo Presents’ newest venue is designed for intimacy and impact with the use of Meyer Sound technology

Garcia’s, a brand-new venue and restaurant in Chicago’s vibrant West Loop, is showcasing Meyer Sound’s precision audio systems. Inspired by the spirit of the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, this 350-capacity space opened in March 2025 to sold-out shows.

From the outset, Dayglo Presents set out to redefine what a live music venue could be. “There was only one plan when it came to sound: Bring in Meyer Sound,” said founder Peter Shapiro. Jesse Lauter, Dayglo’s head of production and media, helped shape the venue’s sonic identity to design a space where every sound is felt as much as heard.

For the Dayglo team, the goal was to build a space that reflects Jerry Garcia’s eclectic tastes and values. Lauter described the aim, “It was about building a room Jerry would actually like – one that can handle flamenco, hi-fi jazz and a loud rock band with equal finesse.”

The system, designed by Meyer Sound’s director of system optimisation Bob McCarthy and installed by Masque Sound, delivers even coverage throughout the space.

The room’s wide layout and wraparound seating posed significant challenges. By using eight ULTRA-X4 point source loudspeakers, the team could combat the unique shape of the venue. McCarthy’s system design also took full advantage of the room’s height and layout, employing central sub placement for smooth, even low-end energy and yoke-mounted mains for optimal directionality.

Opening weekend at Garcia’s Chicago set the tone for the standout live music rooms. A sold-out run with Grahame Lesh & Friends, Daniel Donato and Nicki Bluhm kicked things off, followed by performances by Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Grace Potter, and Benmont Tench.

Garcia’s is the second venue in the Dayglo Presents portfolio to feature a Meyer Sound system, following the 2024 revitalisation of Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, New York. With more venues in the pipeline, the partnership continues to push boundaries in venue design and live sound.

Meyer Sound is also making waves in places of worship. Learn more about the sound technology being used in divine spaces.

Find out more about Meyer Sound at meyersound.com