Photos: Frankie Cavone

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead made the step up to amphitheaters last night at SPAC in Saratoga Springs, NY playing hands down one of the best shows of the year at the venue. A band that back in 2015 played their first show with no full intentions is now taking great care of the fans, the scene and the legacy of the Grateful Dead.

It is no secret that JRAD is one of the most explosive bands out of recent years. The lineup featuring Joe Russo, Dave Dreiwitz, Marco Benevento, Tom Hamilton and Scott Metzger offer a refreshing take on Grateful Dead music all while cranking it up to 10. They have the capabilities of getting weird with improvisation all while having a hard rock band mentality

While it is “Grate” to hear these beloved songs performed to perfection. The reason to go to a JRAD show is everything that happens in between songs. A great example is the incredible work in between “Brown-Eyed Women and “Let it Grow,” one of the highlights of the night. The band debuted their rendition of “I Second That Emotion.” Check out photos and the setlist from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s performance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center below:

Setlist:

Set 1: Jam > The Race Is On, Shakedown Street, Row Jimmy, Dancing In The Street > Shakedown Street Reprise > Dancing In The Street > The Music Never STopped, Touch Of Grey

Set 2: Playing In The Band, I Second That Emotion > Brown-Eyed Women > Let It Grow, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Franklin’s Tower

Encore: I Know You Rider

Gallery: