Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-07-14
This week's Dead Drops brings our first complete three-night run: Hartford Civic Center, April 3–5, 1988, as the band comes high-stepping into town fresh off blowing the doors off Brendan Byrne Arena.
Night one opens “Promised Land” > “Greatest Story Ever Told” > “Althea,” while “Playing in the Band” > “Crazy Fingers” > “Franklin's Tower” highlights a beautiful second set before “Black Peter” > “Turn on Your Love Light” and “It's All Over Now, Baby Blue.”
Night two is another burner. “Alabama Getaway” > “Johnny B. Goode” gets things moving, with “Cassidy” closing in on a rocking “Don't Ease Me In.” “Touch of Grey” opens the second set before “Truckin'” > “He's Gone” > “Drums” > “Space” > “The Other One” > “Stella Blue.” Brent brings the house together with “Dear Mr. Fantasy” > “Hey Jude.”
Night three is a party. “Hell in a Bucket” > “Sugaree,” an extended “Bird Song,” and “Might As Well” set up “Iko Iko” > “Louie Louie” — first since 1969 — > “Samson and Delilah.” A powerful “Wharf Rat” > “Throwing Stones” > “Not Fade Away” closes the run before Jerry delivers “Knockin' on Heaven's Door.”
Three nights. Three burners. One complete Hartford run. Enjoy!
Curated by David Lemieux and mastered by David Glasser from the original DATs, unlock the Vault and stream all three shows now in Hi-Res.
SETLISTS
April 3, 1988
Hartford Civic Center
SET I
Promised Land, Greatest Story Ever Told, Althea, Little Red Rooster, Cold Rain and Snow, Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again, Box of Rain, Don't Ease Me In
SET II
Playing in the Band, Crazy Fingers > Franklin's Tower, Man Smart/Woman Smarter > Drums > Space > Gimme Some Lovin' > Black Peter > Turn on Your Love Light
ENCORE
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
April 4, 1988
Hartford Civic Center
SET I
Alabama Getaway, Johnny B. Goode, Good Time Blues, They Love Each Other, Queen Jane Approximately, When Push Comes to Shove, Cassidy, Don't Ease Me In
SET II
Touch of Grey, Looks Like Rain, Truckin' > He's Gone > Drums > Space > The Other One > Stella Blue > Good Lovin', Dear Mr. Fantasy > Hey Jude
ENCORE
U.S. Blues
April 5, 1988
Hartford Civic Center
SET I
Hell in a Bucket, Sugaree, Walkin' Blues, Dire Wolf, It's All Over Now, Baby Blue, Bird Song, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Might As Well
SET II
Iko Iko > Louie Louie > Samson and Delilah > Ship of Fools, Smokestack Lightning > Drums > Space > I Need a Miracle > Wharf Rat, Throwing Stones, Not Fade Away
ENCORE
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
