Joe Russo’s Almost Dead capped off an active 2023 in the Midwest with one last weekend blowout in Madison, WI and Chicago.
After kicking off the weekend at The Sylvee in Madison on Thursday, Russo and his longtime bandmates Marco Benevento, Tom Hamilton, Dave Dreiwitz, and Scott Metzger headed to Chicago’s Riviera Theatre for the last two JRAD shows of the year. The band dug deep in Chicago, trotting out covers outside the band’s usual Grateful Dead songbook including “Romeo and Juliet” by Dire Straits, played one time each year since 2020 per setlist.fm, and The Allman Brother Band‘s “Hot ‘Lanta”.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – “Foolish Heart” – 12/1/23
Saturday’s show also featured a sandwich of “Black Peter” > “The Eleven” > “The Music Never Stopped” > “Black Peter”. The band finished off its tenth year of existence with a cover of Bob Dylan‘s “Shelter From the Storm”.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – “Stagger Lee” – 12/2/23
Click below to view fan-shot videos, full-show audio, and a gallery of photos from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s last shows of 2023 courtesy of photographer Daniel Ojeda.
JRAD will return to the stage in January for a three-night run at The Capitol Theatre, followed by two nights at The Eastern in Atlanta and appearances at Texas Eclipse Festival and FloydFest. For a full list of the band’s upcoming shows and to purchase tickets, visit the band’s website.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL – 12/2/23
[Audio: Travitz12]
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL – 12/2/23
[Audio: Travitz12]
Setlist: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead | Riviera Theatre | Chicago, IL | 12/1/23
Set 1: Foolish Heart, Tell Me, Momma, Cassidy, West L.A. Fadeaway, Fire on the Mountain, Black-Throated Wind, Bertha
Set 2: Good Lovin’ (The Olympics), Feel Like a Stranger, Romeo and Juliet (Dire Straights), Here Comes Sunshine, Casey Jones, Playing in the Band
Encore: Hard to Handle (Otis Redding)
Setlist: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead | Riviera Theatre | Chicago, IL | 12/2/23
Set One: Stagger Lee, Althea, The Wheel, Till the Morning Comes, Jack Straw, My Brother Esau, Sugaree
Set 2: Uncle John’s Band, Let It Grow, Black Peter, The Eleven, The Music Never Stopped, Black Peter, Hot ‘Lanta (The Allman Brothers Band), The Music Never Stopped, Morning Dew (Bonnie Dobson)
Encore: Shelter From the Storm (Bob Dylan)