The Grateful Dead Live: December 5, 1981 at Market Square Arena — A Night of Pure, Unfiltered Musical Fire

When we talk about The Grateful Dead Live, we’re talking about something far beyond a concert. We’re talking about nights where every song exists only in its most authentic form — the live version — evolving and stretching right before our eyes. No two shows were ever alike, and few captured that wild, electric, exploratory energy quite like the band’s December 5, 1981 performance at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.

This was the Dead in peak early-’80s form — tight but fearless, playful but powerful, and fully committed to turning every tune into a living, breathing experience. The lineup of Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, and Brent Mydland came into that icy December night ready to turn Market Square Arena into its own little universe.

And they did.

Set One: High Gear, Deep Cuts, and a First-Set Journey Built on Momentum

The band wasted no time launching into the fire with “Alabama Getaway,” a song that always shined brighter onstage than on record. Live, it had a swagger and snap that served as the perfect ignition point. As soon as it wrapped, the Dead punched straight into “Promised Land,” giving Indianapolis its first taste of the high-octane, rock-and-roll energy that would fuel the night.

From there, Jerry eased the arena into a warm, melodic sway with a gorgeous “Friend of the Devil,” the kind of performance where every lyric lands like a familiar story told by an old friend. Bob stepped up next with a gritty “C.C. Rider,” the bluesy weight of the tune amplified by Brent’s soulful keyboard flourishes.

The band pivoted beautifully into “Cumberland Blues,” showcasing their unmistakable fusion of bluegrass roots and jam-band freedom, before shifting into a crisp, heartfelt “El Paso.”

Then came the heart of the first set:

“Ramble On Rose,” “Passenger,” “Bird Song,” and “Let It Grow”

“Ramble On Rose” was warm and playful, a crowd favorite delivered with full-voiced confidence. “Passenger” was tight, heavy, and explosive, a rare early-’80s treat that always pushed the energy needle upward.

But “Bird Song”?
This was the moment the show began to ascend. The improvisation wrapped around the arena like a soft spiral of light, stretching into delicate, free-flowing passages that only existed in the Dead’s live universe.

Closing the set with “Let It Grow” gave Indianapolis a thundering, intricate finale — the song’s shifting rhythms and dramatic peaks making for a powerful end to one of the most dynamic first sets of late ’81.

Set Two: A Groove-Driven Burst, Psychedelic Exploration, and a Classic Dead Finale

Set two kicked off with a heavy, irresistible pulse: “Shakedown Street.” Live, this tune was a celebration — funky, elastic, and full of dance-floor electricity. The jam expanded, morphed, and pulsed with the unique 1981 flavor that fans still rave about.

Then the band shifted into the nautical pairing of “Lost Sailor” → “Saint of Circumstance,” a duo that carried all the emotional depth and soaring energy of early-’80s Dead. The transition was seamless, the performance confident and expansive.

A fiery “Big Railroad Blues” followed — always a rave-up in the live setting — before launching into one of the night’s biggest journeys:

“Playing in the Band” → “Drums” → “Space” → “The Wheel” → “Playing in the Band”

This sequence was the heart of the show.

“Playing in the Band” cracked open into wide-angle improvisation, swirling into a hypnotic state before dissolving into the primal thunder of “Drums.”
“Space” brought the arena into the Dead’s dreamlike, cosmic laboratory — eerie, floating, and unpredictable.

Then came “The Wheel,” glowing with warmth and emotional lift, before the band completed the loop, steering the jam back into a triumphant “Playing in the Band” reprise.

The landing was tender and emotional with “Stella Blue,” Jerry’s voice carving out one of his late-night masterpieces. And then, the final explosion:

“Sugar Magnolia.”

A full-tilt, joy-soaked rock-and-roll closer that left the arena buzzing.

The encore? Perfectly chosen for a Saturday night:

“One More Saturday Night.”

A fitting finish for a show overflowing with live-only magic.

Tonight on Don’s Pick Radio Show: Relive This 1981 Masterpiece in Full

Every Saturday night, listeners tune in for one of the region’s most beloved music experiences: Don’s Pick, a weekly radio tradition curated and hosted by Don — a true scholar of music, a passionate archivist, and a storyteller with a gift for making every track feel alive again.

Each episode is built around a hand-selected collection of songs, always live, always immersive, and always presented with Don’s unmistakable sense of care and excitement.

Tonight’s broadcast is a special one:

Don is featuring the complete December 5, 1981 Grateful Dead performance from Market Square Arena.

Listeners can expect:

• Every song in its full, original live version

• Deep context and insight into the Dead’s 1981 touring energy

• Commentary on the improvisational peaks of the show

• A spotlight on the brilliant “Bird Song” and the sprawling second-set “Playing in the Band” suite

• A fully curated experience designed to feel like stepping right back into that arena

Don’s Pick isn’t just a radio show — it’s a Saturday-night ritual, a place where legendary concerts get a second life and where music fans gather to discover, rediscover, and revel in the magic of live performance.

Tonight, that magic belongs to the Grateful Dead.