Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-06-02
Photo: Courtesy of Grateful Dead / Dead.net
Grateful Dead fans get a championship-week pull from the Vault this week as Dead Drops heads back to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the band’s April 5 and 6, 1989, shows at Crisler Arena.
Newly mastered from the original DATs recorded by Dan Healy, the two-show run arrives with some serious local context. The Michigan faithful had just watched the Wolverines win the National Championship, and two days later the Grateful Dead rolled into Crisler Arena. The celebration continued.
Curated by David Lemieux and mastered by David Glasser, both shows are now streaming in Hi-Res.
“Tuesday Dead Drops heads to Ann Arbor, where the Michigan faithful had just watched their Wolverines win the National Championship. Two days later, the Grateful Dead rolled into Crisler Arena, and the celebration continued.
Night one opens with a smoking Stranger > Franklin's. Minglewood, Candyman, and an extended Let It Grow > U.S. Blues are gas on the fire. The second set explodes with Samson > Cumberland > Women Are Smarter > a huge Terrapin, before China Doll, Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away, and The Mighty Quinn send the crowd back into the streets.
Night two opens with Touch of Grey, don’t miss the Althea, Masterpiece, and a soaring Bird Song. Then comes a monster second set: Scarlet > Fire, Playing in the Band, The Other One, Wharf Rat, and a beautiful Playing Reprise. Only Brokedown Palace could close a midweek run like this. Championship week. Championship crowd. Championship Grateful Dead. Enjoy!” - Martin Knott
TODAY’S DEAD DROPS
Grateful Dead
April 5, 1989
Crisler Arena
Ann Arbor, MI
SET I
Feel Like a Stranger > Franklin's Tower, New Minglewood Blues, Candyman, Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again, Far From Me, Dupree's Diamond Blues, Let it Grow > U.S. Blues
SET II
Samson and Delilah > Cumberland Blues > Man Smart, Woman Smarter > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > China Doll > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away
ENCORE
The Mighty Quinn
Grateful Dead
April 6, 1989
Crisler Arena
Ann Arbor, MI
SET I
Touch of Grey, Little Red Rooster, Brown Eyed Women, Mama Tried, Mexicali Blues, Althea, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Bird Song, Promised Land
SET II
Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain, Playing in the Band > Built to Last > Drums > Space > I Will Take You Home > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Around and Around > Playing in the Band
ENCORE
Brokedown Palace
