Neon Avenue made their Albany, NY at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen over the weekend treating Capital Region music fans to top-shelf quality renditions of the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia Band and Ratdog songs. No opener, just two amazing sets of music.

For those not familiar with the band, they are a brand new group formed to bring a fresh take on Grateful Dead related music focusing on long jams, unique setlist construction and deep cuts. Neon Avenue features Joe Davis, Mike McDonald, Mike Urbon, Doug Klein and Mike Cassels. All veteran musicians from previous bands such as Formula 5, Stone Revival Band, Slipknot, Knot Dead and more.

Neon Avenue was in sync throughout the whole show filling the room with melodies and extensive improvisation unheard from other Grateful Dead related acts. In a world where many fans prefer Joe Russo’s Almost Dead as their way to listen to live Dead music, Neon Avenue lives along the same lines, high energy shredding and not trying to be “the band” themselves.

A prime example of this is the jam section in “Cumberland Blues” and bringing back “Uncle John’s Band” after five song sandwich. It is apparent these guys are hungry to play and put in the practicing time to honor Grateful Dead music in the best light.

Check out photos and the full setlist from Neon Avenue’s performance at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen in Albany, NY below:

Setlist:

Set 1: Josie > He’s Gone, Greatest Story Ever Told > Bertha, My Brother Esau, Golden Road, Cats Under The Stars, Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance, Mighty High

Set 2: Playing In The Band > Uncle John’s Band > Cumberland Blues, Lonesome and a Long Way From Home, Wharf Rat > Mind Left Body Jam > Shakedown Street > Uncle John’s Band, Magnificent Sanctuary Band, Eyes of the World

Encore: Sugar Magnolia

Gallery: