Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Honor David Lynch in Port Chester

Photo: Dino Perrucci

On Friday night, Jan. 17, 2025, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead commenced night one of three at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y. The concert marked the group’s first coming together since the passing of the great David Lynch and provided an opportunity for the Grateful Dead tribute band to pay homage to the director by adapting “Laura Palmer’s Theme” into the night’s encore. 

Before the aforementioned pinnacle, the band punctuated their concert with a series of highs, beginning with fan favorite “Tennessee Jed” ahead of the late-’60s era Anthem of the Sun pull “Alligator.” The Dead-associated “Viola Lee Blues” included a tease of “China Cat Sunflower” before the band pushed through with “The Wheel” in place of the expected full-fledged continuation. 

Ahead of the set break, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead dusted off “Long Black Veil” for the first time since 2022. The show’s latter half brought forth more favorites from the Dead archive: “Crazy Fingers,” “The Other One,” “Here Comes Sunshine,” and others before the onset of Friday night’s encore.

A solo Benevento honored Lynch by covering Angelo Badalamenti’s “Laura Palmer’s Theme.” The Twin Peaks pull allowed the former to give wings to the ‘90s instrumental and pay tribute to one of the film industry’s most influential contributors. “Eyes of the World” was the final song, marking the whole band’s return to the stage. During the last number, “Laura Palmer’s Theme” found its way into the Dead classic to the elation of the crowd and band alike. 

Continuing their Port Chester, N.Y. weekend, the band returned to the stage last night, Saturday, Jan. 19, and added a new song to their live repertoire, a cover of “Juke Box Mama” by Link Wray. Providing the song’s latest treatment, Scott Metzger took the lead during the power chord originator.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead 

The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester,  N.Y.

Jan. 17, 2025

Set I: Tennesse Jed, Alligator, Viola Lee Blues, The Wheel > Long Black Veil 

Set II: Crazy Fingers, The Other One, Here Comes Sunshine, Casey Jones, Ramble on Rose, Let It Grow 

Enc.: Laura Palmer’s Theme+, Eyes of the World

Notes: 

+ Debut, Marco Benevento only