The Kinks played on Thursday and the stones were playing on Sunday at the stadium and the dead added a show on Saturday just to show how much better they were than the Stones . if i remember right the dead even remarked about the stones. Like saying they say there the best band ever and the Dead slayed the stones. No competition at all.

I have a buddy who still doesn't forgive me for inviting two of my college pals to come with us to this show, which made it SEVEN Deadheads in a Ford Pinto traveling the NYS Thruway from Albany to Buffalo. The Stones were playing at Rich Stadium the next day, and every rest stop was a wild party. The show was excellent. '81 was such a great year. Got my wings that Spring and never looked back. Can't believe it was 36 years ago. Miss you Jerry.

Great matrix..gives you nice depth to a superb show..Off the hook song selection with 12 power packed 1st set songs~ But what really grabs me is the 2nd set..right off the gate it's hot..LISTEN to Playin' and the interplay between Bobby & Jerry~ very psychedelic into a jumping Bertha..there is no let up~~The boys were on this nite of sure..SWEET DEW~Give It a Whirl>forever Grateful>Forever Dead~!!

this was a smoking show...i remember riding in the back of a pick up from Utica...wicked fun times...and let us not forget the Stones show the next night...what an amazing weekend!

Wow is Buffalo into the Shakedown tonight! When Jerry goes into don't tell me this town ain't got no heart, the crowd erupts into a frenzy like you wouldn't believe. They really wanted their Shakedown, and if my memory is good enough without checking the deadbase it's their first Shakedown in Buffalo. They must have deserved it. I know because I was 11 and Main St. was all ripped up from the city building the subway system. A great setlist nonetheless. An 80's dream set as far as I'm concerned!

Made the trip from NYC and got in on a ticket stub from a Bobby and the Midnites show previously used. One of the best shows ever, and 1981 the best year I experienced. If only I was old enough to witness the '73 shows...

A 30th anniversary listen confirms that this Matrix is still special, and the show stands the test of time. Would see it again!

OMG, what a smoking show.

Typically smokin' thruway show. "warm up" for the '81 Europe tour. Blows that tour away.

Seriously hot show and great sound quality. Jerry ate his Wheaties before this one!

A great show especially for the 80's in my humble opinion. Opening with shakedown as already mentioned is just a great vibe to start on. Jerry's guitar is just on fire throughout the whole show. DEMI is really boosted by brent's playing.

Looks Like Rain, Let it Grow and They Love Eachother are all very solid. Jack a Roe is clean but lyrically very crisp. It seems as if the lyrics and guitar are just on all night.

The second set just starts of firing. The Playin in the Band is very trippy and awesome. Then they bust into some fun favorites as bertha, prophet and morning dew. The drums are very well down and spacey adding to the entire feeling of being a pinball in the cosmos. Wish Shakedown wasnt just aud but stuff happens.

Thanks for the matrix. Excellent work again. Check this show out, you owe it to yourself.

This is unquestionably a five star show. Long, excellent setlist with a bunch of favorites. You can't go wrong with a Shakedown opener. TLEO and Let it Grow are other first set highlights. Second set rocks as well. I've always thought Playin' is a little underrated in general--it really provides a great vehicle for spacey jams and segues with other tunes (a bit of a non sequitir I know). Estimated, Moring Dew--what's not to like?? Sound quality of the show is awesome as well.

Jerry, I miss you so much and you will always be my hero! Peace

what a great energy there was at this show -- the band is really playing TOGETHER with open ears and the sound is fantastic on this BOARD/AUD matrix -- the sound as they enter the jam on PLAYIN is very warm.... JERRY uses the same liquid tone he did during the many DEEP SPACE EXCURSIONS from 72 and 73 -- even bobby turns back towards a more classic sound than is usually offered in the 80s, when they started to take on an overwhelming amount of toys.....


the set list speaks for the set this time -- the Shakedown opener is quite nice and Bob slips right into CC Rider, a nice counterpoint here -- though i am not usually a big fan of this number, it fits snug behind that shake down. Let it Grow and then a DEMI to end the first set.

the second is one wild ride out -- after flirting with deep space Jer remembers it was only the top of the second -- better rock 'em some -- how bout Bertha? ....OK!! (and actually is a Great version, not just a surprise!)

what a step into Goin Down The Road! -- jerry just kind of rips into it seemingly out of nowhere! maybe he just couldn't bear to go into Eyes, again, this night.....? if there is any complaint, this NFA never quite comes together -- after Jerry smothers Bob's attempt to go back into not fade he makes ammends and comes with the goods delivering an always welcome Morning Dew....




not a FIVE STAR ALL TIME, but a five in context, for sure....