Dead Show/podcast for 4/24/26
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This episode of The Dead Pod, hosted by the Professor on April 24th, 2026, features a live recording from the Grateful Dead's performance at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago on April 11th, 1987. The second set is highlighted, beginning with a tight rendition of 'Touch of Grey'—a track soon to be released on the In the Dark album—followed by a funky 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter,' a sprawling 11-minute 'Terrapin Station,' and a psychedelic 'Drums' and 'Space' segment showcasing Jerry Garcia's signature exploratory guitar work. The set continues with a fiery 'Truckin'', a soulful 'Wharf Rat,' and a powerful 'Throwing Stones' that segues into the haunting 'Not Fade Away,' which the crowd chants through until the encore. The encore features a standout performance of 'Black Muddy River,' closing the set on a high note. The episode also includes a surreal, poetic interlude with the refrain 'Ashes, ashes all fall down,' evoking themes of impermanence and societal collapse, possibly referencing a future dystopia or collective anxiety. The Professor closes with heartfelt gratitude, underscoring the community-driven spirit of the podcast.
The Grateful Dead's April 11, 1987, performance at UIC Pavilion is a masterclass in live improvisation, especially in 'Drums' and 'Space'.
The crowd's emotional connection to 'Not Fade Away' demonstrates the power of collective ritual in live music experiences.
The poetic interlude 'Ashes, ashes all fall down' suggests a thematic exploration of societal decay and existential fragility.
The Professor’s gratitude highlights the importance of community and listener support in sustaining long-running niche podcasts.
The use of unreleased songs like 'Touch of Grey' in 1987 underscores the band’s forward-looking creativity.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Opening: The 1987 UIC Pavilion Set
“It's nice to hear. It goes into drums and space. Garcia is particularly psychedelic on space. I think you'll enjoy the place that the band goes there.”
The Groove: Touch of Grey to Terrapin Station
The set opens with 'Touch of Grey' and transitions into a funky 'Man Smart, Woman Smarter,' culminating in a 11-minute epic 'Terrapin Station' that showcases the band’s tight cohesion and dynamic range.
Psychedelic Peak: Drums and Space
“Garcia is particularly psychedelic on space. I think you'll enjoy the place that the band goes there.”
Emotional Crescendo: Truckin', Wharf Rat, and Throwing Stones
The set continues with a fiery 'Truckin'', a soulful 'Wharf Rat', and a powerful 'Throwing Stones' that builds momentum toward the iconic 'Not Fade Away'.
Crowd Ritual: Not Fade Away and the Encore
“The crowd is by this point so taken with the not fade away, with the whole performance that the chant continues right back until they get back up for the encore.”
“Ashes, ashes all fall down Ashes, ashes all fall down Ashes, ashes all fall down”
“Garcia is particularly psychedelic on space. I think you'll enjoy the place that the band goes there.”
“But count the when the strings of my heart start to see stones fall from my eyes instead of tears by the”
Host
The Professor
person
Grateful Dead
other
Jerry Garcia
person
The Dead Pod
media
UIC Pavilion
other
Not Fade Away
media
April 11, 1987
other
University of Illinois
organization
In the Dark
media
Touch of Grey
media
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