The Grateful Dead at Boston Music Hall on June 10, 1976

The Grateful Dead's show at Boston Music Hall on June 10, 1976 is part of the same period as their June 9th performance, which was a pivotal moment for the band after their brief break. This particular show is also highly regarded among fans, as it captures the Dead at a moment of renewal and creative energy. It was part of their 1976 Summer Tour, which was the first full tour they did after their hiatus, and it showcased a lot of their unique mix of improvisational rock, bluegrass, and folk influences.

Key Highlights of the June 10, 1976 Performance:

1. The Return of the Dead: After a break in 1975, the June 1976 shows were significant for the band's return to live performing. They were experimenting with new sounds, which can be heard in the performances, as they were incorporating more of their acoustic and folk-inspired material into the electric sets.

2. Setlist: Some of the standout songs from the June 10, 1976 show include:

   • "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo": A classic Dead song that always got the crowd moving. It's known for its upbeat vibe and was a regular feature of the 1976 sets.

   • "St. Stephen" into "Not Fade Away": This is one of the classic Dead segues that fans loved. The transition from the haunting and beautiful "St. Stephen" into the more upbeat, rocking "Not Fade Away" is a perfect example of the band's ability to seamlessly blend different styles.

   • "Uncle John's Band": This track from Workingman's Dead was a fan favorite, showcasing the band's roots in Americana and folk rock, and it worked perfectly in the acoustic/electric sets.

   • "Bertha": A high-energy song that always got the crowd dancing. It’s a fun rock number with a lively groove.

   • "Scarlet Begonias": The band started working with Scarlet Begonias in 1976, and while it wasn't a regular on the setlists until a bit later in the tour, when it did pop up, it was a standout performance, filled with smooth Garcia guitar licks and rhythmic grooves.

3. Sound and Atmosphere:

   • Boston Music Hall had a much smaller capacity compared to larger arenas, which gave the show a more intimate, "in-the-room" feel. This helped to build a sense of community between the Dead and their fans.

   • The acoustics in the hall were excellent for the band's type of sound, especially for the quieter, more intricate parts of their performance.

   • The energy in the venue was palpable; with the band coming off their hiatus, the crowd seemed to appreciate the band's return even more.

4. The Jamming:

   • Like most Dead shows, the set was filled with long, improvisational jams, especially in the middle of songs like "Scarlet Begonias" and "St. Stephen". These improvisations are what made every live performance unique.

   • Jerry Garcia’s guitar solos during these jams were notably fiery, yet always melodic and thoughtful, creating an emotional depth in the show that’s typical of the Dead’s best performances.

5. Post-Hiatus Feel: There’s a definite feeling of the band being reinvigorated during these 1976 performances. They had taken time off to regroup, and it was evident that the hiatus allowed them to rediscover their chemistry, bringing new energy to both their old classics and newer songs.

Notable Differences Between June 9th and June 10th, 1976:

While the setlists for both shows were quite similar, the vibe might have differed a bit due to the differences in the crowd and the band’s mood each night. The June 9th show had already reignited the crowd's excitement, and by June 10th, the Dead were even more comfortable and in sync, continuing to refine their newly restructured setlists.