Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) delivered another masterclass in psychedelic improvisation and musical alchemy during their latest live performance at the Rooftop at Pier 17, reimagining the Grateful Dead and other American classics with their trademark energy and finesse. Drawing in a multi-generational crowd of Deadheads and jam-band lovers alike, the band played a two-set show that felt more like a celebratory ritual than a concert — where boundaries between audience and performers dissolved in a sea of syncopated rhythms and cosmic solos.
A Spiraling Ascent into the Unknown
The night opened with a jubilant “China Cat Sunflower,” immediately transporting the crowd to a technicolor dreamscape. Tom Hamilton’s nimble guitar work shimmered, while Marco Benevento’s keys bubbled like psychedelic champagne. Without pause, the band slid into Bob Dylan’s “Tangled Up in Blue”, bringing a rootsy groove that allowed the narrative lyrics to shine, reinterpreted with heart and grit.
Things turned darker and tighter with “Me and My Uncle”, a cowboy noir classic that JRAD turned into a galloping jam-fest. The transitions came quick, with “Viola Lee Blues” acting as a psychedelic exorcism — stretched, reworked, and unhinged in the best way possible.
They followed with a swampy, exploratory “Alligator”, echoing early Dead chaos and thunder. And just when the crowd thought they might get a breather, “Franklin’s Tower” closed the set with joy and groove, sending the audience into intermission buzzing with anticipation.
Deep Waters and Electric Revival
Set two opened with a bouncy and elastic “Shakedown Street”, complete with disco-funk undertones and extended improvisation that morphed through genres like timezones. The pocket between Russo’s drumming and Dave Dreiwitz’s bass was unbreakable — the kind of lock-in that only this lineup can summon.
Then came the spiritual heart of the night: “Lost Sailor” >“Saint of Circumstance.” These songs are JRAD staples for a reason — their emotional depth and dynamic range were fully realized, stretching from mournful reflection to triumphant catharsis. The segue was fluid, elegant, and emotionally resonant.
Next, they honored Garcia’s solo legacy with a lush and reverent “Cats Under the Stars.” Hamilton’s vocals found new soul here, buoyed by Benevento’s celestial keyboard layers. They kept the vibe rolling with “Feel Like a Stranger”, which turned into a full-on dance party, Russo grinning behind the kit as the band surfed waves of funk and fire.
The high-energy “Turn On Your Love Light” kept the flame alive — a raucous nod to Bobby “Blue” Bland and Pigpen’s legacy, with everyone in the band getting in on the explosive finale. Then came “Ramble On Rose”, a welcome singalong moment that brought a sense of community and warmth to the crowd.
The set ended on a vintage high with “Big Railroad Blues”, tapping once again into jug-band roots with a bluesy, railroad-rattling stomp that left the crowd howling.
Southern Rock Sends ‘Em Home
Just when it seemed the night couldn’t peak any higher, JRAD returned for a single encore: the instrumental epic “Jessica” by The Allman Brothers Band. It was a masterstroke — intricate, energetic, and performed with technical precision that didn’t sacrifice soul. Scott Metzger and Hamilton traded licks with joyous abandon, while the rhythm section held down a galloping drive. It was pure sunshine bottled in song, and the perfect closer to a transcendent evening.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead continues to be the ultimate torchbearer for the Grateful Dead’s exploratory spirit. This wasn’t a tribute show — it was a living, breathing experience that honored the past while hurtling full-speed into the now. From psychedelic peaks to soulful valleys, the night was a reminder of what live music can — and should — be: communal, cathartic, and endlessly alive.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – Friday, September 12, 2025 – Rooftop at Pier 17, Manhattan
Set 1: China Cat Sunflower, Tangled Up in Blue, Me and My Uncle, Viola Lee Blues, Alligator, Franklin’s Tower
Set 2: Shakedown Street, Lost Sailor, Saint of Circumstance, Cats Under the Stars, Feel Like a Stranger, Turn On Your Love Light, Ramble On Rose, Big Railroad Blues
Encore: Jessica
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