Photo by Dino Perrucci


On Feb. 23, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead finished their three-night run at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, N.Y. Even with it being their last show of the run (on a Sunday no less), the band continued to bring the heat, raising spirits time and time again. Featured in the final show included expanded jams on some fan favorites, debuts of new covers, and surprise guests Jimmy Fallon and guitarist Chris Hartford joining for the encore.

JRAD began the show with their debut of the Jerry Garcia Band’s “Catfish John,” which drew cheers of joy from the crowd. Those cheers turned to a roar of excitement as the band transitioned into a high energy “Bertha” that did not disappoint. Next came “The Music Never Stopped” and a brief stop in “El Paso.” The band then played an inspiring and dreamy extended rendition of “I Need A Miracle,” which moved into “Wharf Rat” to end the set.

The second set began with two more debut covers back to back: “Romeo & Juliet” by Dire Straits and Junior Parker’s “Mystery Train.” JRAD then dipped back into their Grateful Dead catalog with “Help On The Way”, and “Slipknot!” The “Slipknot!” featured an “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” jam. Instead of the typical “Franklin’s Tower,” fans were treated to a beautifully sung turned expertly jammed “So Many Roads.” “Not Fade Away,” the second set closer got the audience involved, with the jam seamlessly transitioning into the crowd clapping the rhythm and singing “You know my love will not fade away” as the band left the stage to prepare for the encore.

Jimmy Fallon and guitarist and frequent JRAD collaborator Chris Hartford joined the band as they returned to the stage for the encore rendition of Neil Young’s “Fuckin’ Up.” Fallon played the role of harmony singer at first, but he later took the mic to center stage in a burst of energy. Fallon led the band in a mashup of “Fuckin’ Up,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run,” and The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” (as well as some “You Can Call Me Al” quotes), which prompted yet another audience singalong the show concluded.

Check out the full setlist below, and check out a full gallery of photos from Dino Perrucci and Scott Harris from JRAD’s entire Capitol Theatre here (as well as some selections below).

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Feb. 23, 2020
Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, N.Y.
Set I: Jam > Catfish John -> Bertha, The Music Never Stopped, El Paso > I Need A Miracle > Wharf Rat

Set II: Romeo and Juliet > Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Mystery Train, So Many Roads, Let It Grow+ > Loser Jam > Let It Grow > Not Fade Away

Encore (11:15-11:27): Fuckin’ Up* > Born To Run* > Hey Jude* > Fuckin’ Up*
*w/ Jimmy Fallon on vocals and Chris Harford on guitar