Tonight on Dead Set Live, Don’s pick takes us back to April 19, 1978, when the Grateful Dead rolled into Veterans’ Memorial Hall in Columbus, Ohio—and delivered a performance that’s become a fan favorite for good reason. Part of the band’s red-hot Spring ’78 tour, this show is a time capsule of the Dead at their most dynamic, versatile, and locked-in.
Let’s break down why this show still resonates, decades later.
🌟 The Venue: Small Room, Big Vibes
Veterans’ Memorial Hall wasn’t your typical Dead venue. It was smaller, more intimate—perfect for a band that thrived on connecting with their audience. The energy in the room is almost tangible on tape. With great acoustics and a crowd hanging on every note, it was the kind of night where the walls seemed to breathe with the music.
🎶 Set One: All Killer, No Filler
- Bertha > Good Lovin’
Right out the gate, the band wastes no time hitting their stride. Garcia’s guitar is aflame, Phil’s bass is punching through, and the transition into Good Lovin’ is smooth and joyful. A barnburner of an opening duo that got everyone moving early. - Friend of the Devil
A perfect cool-down, yet still brimming with feeling. Garcia delivers the lyrics with heartfelt ease, and Brent Mydland’s keys add color in all the right places. - Passenger
Here’s that Spring ’78 edge. Passenger punches with intensity and confidence. Weir’s vocals are fierce, and the band sounds tight—like they’d been playing it for years, not months. - Candyman
Slow, syrupy, and stunning. Garcia draws every ounce of emotion from this one, leaning into the bluesy undercurrent. You can almost feel the stillness in the room. - Cassidy
One of those songs that sounds like it was made for these intimate halls. The band plays it with nuance and precision, and the jam section is one of the night’s many gems. - Peggy-O
A quiet stunner. Garcia tells this tragic tale with aching beauty. It’s performances like this that remind you how deep the Dead could go emotionally. - Me and My Uncle > Big River
Classic cowboy combo. Tight, energetic, and bursting with swagger. The transition is smooth, and the rhythm section pushes the tempo with confidence.
🚀 Set Two: Liftoff and Beyond
- Samson & Delilah
Kicking off the second set with a roar. This version is ferocious, with Billy and Mickey pounding out a tribal rhythm while Garcia rides high. - It Must Have Been the Roses
Gentle, poignant, and spellbinding. Garcia once again brings tenderness to the forefront. - Estimated Prophet > He’s Gone
Estimated is pure West Coast mysticism, with a rubbery groove and swirling leads. The jam segues smoothly into He’s Gone, a sentimental favorite that feels extra resonant on this night. The vocal harmonies are tight, and Garcia’s solo is a thing of beauty. - Drums > Space > The Other One
This is where the Dead blast off. Drums is primal, Space is otherworldly, and The Other One comes crashing in with psychedelic thunder. It’s peak Dead—wild, uncharted, and completely in the moment. - Wharf Rat > Around and Around
Wharf Rat is devastating in the best way. Garcia’s storytelling and phrasing here is sublime. Then the energy gets cranked to eleven as they close the set with a barnstorming Around and Around. Chuck Berry would be proud.
🐺 Encore: Werewolves of London
A perfect capstone. It’s silly, it’s joyous, it’s fun—and the band is clearly loving every second. The crowd eats it up. Warren Zevon’s howler becomes the Dead’s own howling farewell.
💬 Final Thoughts from Don
“There’s something about this night in Columbus that just clicks. The band is firing on all cylinders—tight, adventurous, and clearly having fun. The transitions are smooth, the jams are bold, and the ballads hit hard. It’s shows like this that remind us why we keep coming back.”
Whether you were there in person or are just dropping into the soundboard tonight, April 19, 1978, is a perfect slice of Dead magic—a night where everything just felt right. Crank it up and let the music take you.
🔥 Tune in to Dead Set Live and let April ’78 carry you home.
