Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-09-01
Two more Grateful Dead performances from 1985 are now available to stream in hi-res through Play Dead, featuring shows from the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center and Berkeley Community Theater.
The August 20 show at the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center features a first set with “Cold Rain & Snow” > “Day Tripper,” “West L.A. Fadeaway,” “Mama Tried” > “Big River,” “Tennessee Jed,” “Looks Like Rain” > “Don’t Ease Me In.”
The second set moves through “Scarlet Begonias” > “Fire on the Mountain” > “Playing in the Band” > “Drums” > “Space,” followed by “The Wheel,” “Black Peter,” and “Turn on Your Lovelight.” “U.S. Blues” closes the night.
The March 9 performance at Berkeley Community Theater opens with “Bertha” > “One More Saturday Night” > “Sugaree,” followed by “It’s All Over Now,” “Row Jimmy,” and “Let It Grow.”
The second set features “China Cat Sunflower” > “Cumberland Blues,” “I Need a Miracle” > “Eyes of the World,” “Drums” > “Space,” “The Other One,” “The Wheel,” and “Sugar Magnolia,” with “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” as the encore.
The Berkeley show also featured special guest Merl Saunders.
“Rare combinations, beautiful transitions and two great shows. 1985 is officially in gear. Enjoy!” said Martin Knott.
Both recordings were curated by David Lemieux and newly mastered by David Glasser from the original Grateful Dead F1 digital tapes.
GRATEFUL DEAD – AUGUST 20, 1985
Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center
SET I: Cold Rain & Snow > Day Tripper, West L.A. Fadeaway, Mama Tried > Big River, Tennessee Jed, Looks Like Rain > Don’t Ease Me In
SET II: Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain > Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Black Peter > Turn on Your Lovelight
ENCORE: U.S. Blues
GRATEFUL DEAD – MARCH 9, 1985
Berkeley Community Theater
SET I: Bertha > One More Saturday Night > Sugaree, It’s All Over Now, Row Jimmy, Let It Grow
SET II: China Cat Sunflower > Cumberland Blues, I Need a Miracle > Eyes of the World > Drums > Space > The Other One > The Wheel > Sugar Magnolia
ENCORE: It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
