Dead Set Live: The Grateful Dead Bring Magic to Stabler Arena, Lehigh University – September 25, 1981

Some shows live on in Deadhead history for their spark, their energy, and the way the crowd and band seemed to lock into the same wavelength. The September 25, 1981, performance at Stabler Arena, Lehigh University, is one of those nights. A packed house in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, witnessed the Grateful Dead fire on all cylinders, delivering a setlist that ran the gamut from timeless classics to deep jams—all in their most authentic form: live.

Every song in this show carried the raw energy that only the Dead could summon, proving once again why tapers and collectors have long considered the 1981 fall tour essential listening. Let’s walk through the highlights of this unforgettable night.

Set One: High-Energy Openers and Golden Grooves

The Dead kicked off the night with a vibrant “Alabama Getaway” (live), setting the tone with a rocker that immediately had the crowd on their feet. From there, the always beloved “Greatest Story Ever Told” (live) followed, its sharp guitar lines slicing through the arena.

Jerry Garcia’s heartfelt delivery on “They Love Each Other” (live) gave the audience an early taste of the band’s softer side, while “El Paso” (live) brought a taste of Marty Robbins’ storytelling cowboy balladry to the Lehigh stage, sung with Bob Weir’s trademark flair.

The set continued to build momentum with “Tennessee Jed” (live), a singalong moment for the crowd, before Garcia led the band through “Beat It On Down the Line” (live) with an infectious, rollicking bounce.

One of the clear highlights of the first set was “Row Jimmy” (live), a soulful, slower number that showcased Garcia’s ability to weave delicate solos. The Dead then turned up the tempo again with “New Minglewood Blues” (live), where Weir’s gritty vocals and Brent Mydland’s keyboards stood out.

Closing the first set was the double shot of “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider” (live), a pairing that always thrilled fans. This night’s version was particularly inspired, with Garcia’s fluid runs and Phil Lesh’s thunderous bass driving the transition into a powerful “Rider” singalong.

Set Two: Explorations, Transitions, and Peak Dead

The second set launched with “Feel Like a Stranger” (live), a funky and spacey jam vehicle that gave Brent plenty of room to shine. The energy soared as the band slid into “Franklin’s Tower” (live), a fan favorite that brought spiraling solos and feel-good energy throughout the arena.

The centerpiece of the night was “Estimated Prophet” (live), which stretched into deep, exploratory jams before dissolving seamlessly into “Eyes of the World” (live). This transition was one of the evening’s shining moments, with Garcia and the band weaving intricate melodies while the crowd swayed in approval.

Then came the always-anticipated “Drums > Space (live)”, as Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann took over with their percussive wizardry. This interlude reminded everyone of the Grateful Dead’s fearless experimentation, plunging into the abstract before handing things back to the full band.

What followed was a passionate “The Other One” (live), roaring to life out of Space with classic Dead ferocity. From chaos came beauty, as the band shifted gears into “Stella Blue” (live), Garcia’s voice dripping with emotion in a performance that hushed the crowd.

The set closed with “Sugar Magnolia” (live), a high-energy closer that sent Stabler Arena into a frenzy, capped with the band’s signature joyful explosion.

Encore: A Familiar Friend

To wrap up the night, the Dead came back out for “U.S. Blues” (live), a perfect encore choice that had the entire arena waving, dancing, and singing along to one of the band’s most enduring anthems.

Why This Show Still Resonates

The Lehigh show of September 25, 1981, captured everything that made the Grateful Dead special: sharp playing, adventurous setlist choices, and that indescribable connection with the audience. The tapes from this performance have circulated for decades, cherished for their sound quality and the magic they preserve. For fans of early ’80s Dead, it stands as one of the era’s gems.

Don’s Pick Radio Show – Tonight’s Spotlight

If you can’t get enough of the live magic, don’t miss tonight’s Don’s Pick Radio Show, airing every Saturday night. This week, Don brings his listeners a handpicked journey through music’s diverse landscape, weaving together live tracks that celebrate the art of performance. Known for its eclectic and carefully curated selections, Don’s Pick has become a can’t-miss radio tradition. Tonight’s episode promises to honor the spirit of shows like Stabler Arena ’81—where every note tells a story, and every song lives on.

Dead Set Live will always keep the music alive the way it was meant to be heard: on stage, in the moment, and straight from the heart.