Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Offer Bust Outs in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

Photo: Dino Perrucci

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead have been traveling the East Coast in pursuit of unveiling sharp interpretations of Grateful Dead classics and other revered picks. After commencing their current run in Bethlehem, Pa., on Thursday, November14, they packed up and made their way to Philadelphia’s The Met on November 15. The band revisited material during Friday night’s concert, blowing the dust off select numbers and setting forth a path for bust out during Saturday night’s follow-up. 

Friday’s initial noodle unfolded into “Scarlet Begonias,” which included a tease of “Foolish Heart.” In time, the Tom Hamilton-led interpretation gave way to the night’s initial bust out, a return to Paul Davis’ “Six Days on the Road,” last played on Aug. 10, 2023–closing a 50-show gap in plays. Whereas the band’s ensuing performance would feature more shelved material, they used the remainder of their time in Philadelphia to tease a slew of classics, which kept the audience persistently on their toes as they weaved notes from Smashing Pumpkins (“Today”), Black Sabbath (“Luke’s Wall”), Allman Brothers (“Jessica”) through Dead songs. 

Saturday night in Washington, D.C., gave the band another chance to pull through with a bust out. After setting up the frame with preparatory jams, JRAD teased the audience, adding winks of the ensuing classic during “Saint Of Circumstance” before a full-throttle entrance, on “Terrapin Station.” The band did the number exceptional justice, running through each electrifying section: “Lady With A Fan” > “Terrapin Station” > “Terrapin” > “Terrapin Transit” > “At a Siding” > “Terrapin Flyer” > “Refrain” for the first time since Aug. 11, 2023. Via the band’s notes on Facebook, the last electric rendition of “Terrapin” was played on August 27, 2022, adding another noteworthy layer to last night’s visit to Our Nation’s Capital.

Scroll down to view the band’s setlists.