Photo by Dave Vann

On June 3 and 4, 2023, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead took the stage at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, captivating audiences with two nights of incredible music and improvisation.

The first night kicked off with a mind-bending jam, setting the tone for an evening of musical exploration. The band delved into the classic Jerry Garcia track, “The Wheel,” immediately igniting the crowd’s enthusiasm. The energy continued to surge as they launched into beloved Grateful Dead favorites like “Uncle John’s Band,” “Alabama Getaway,” and “Man Smart, Woman Smarter.” They paid tribute to King Radio with a soulful rendition of “Crazy Fingers” and gracefully transitioned into “Lost Sailor” before wrapping up the set with “Saint of Circumstance.”

The second set took the audience on a journey through Jerry Garcia Band’s repertoire, starting with the infectious groove of “Cats Under the Stars.” The band then paid homage to Cannon’s Jug Stompers with a spirited rendition of “Minglewood Blues” before launching into the fan-favorite “Estimated Prophet.” A highlight of the night came with the inclusion of guest musician and wife of Scott Metzger, Katie Jacoby, who added her mesmerizing violin skills to “I Know You Rider” and a powerful rendition of The Who’s “Baba O’Riley.” Closing the set with a soul-stirring cover of The Waterboys’ “We Will Not Be Lovers,” Joe Russo’s Almost Dead left the crowd yearning for more. They made good on the feeling by encoring with the timeless ballad “Stella Blue,” the band bid farewell, leaving the audience in awe of the remarkable musical journey they had experienced.

The second night began with a lively rendition of “Truckin’,” immediately captivating the crowd. The band seamlessly flowed into “Born Cross-Eyed” and teased fans with snippets of “The Eleven” before unleashing the crowd-favorite “Shakedown Street.” The show continued to delight with John Phillips’ “Me and My Uncle” and a powerful rendition of “Eyes of the World.” The energetic atmosphere persisted as they launched into “Feel Like a Stranger” and closed the set with the beloved Garcia cover, “Deal.”

Returning for the second set, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead unleashed the Bob Weir penned “Black-Throated Wind,” captivating the audience with its raw intensity. They continued to inspire awe with “Cream Puff War” and “Bertha,” which both kept the crowd on their feet. The band masterfully transitioned into Weir’s “Playing in the Band” before delving into the infectious rhythms of “New Speedway Boogie.” “The Other One” brought a mesmerizing jam, followed by a thrilling rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Hey You.” They closed the frame with the epic “Terrapin Station,” effectively leaving the crowd in awe of their collective musical prowess. Returning to the stage for an encore, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead delivered a rendition of “Sugar Magnolia.”

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colo.
June 3, 2023

Set I: Jam, The Wheel (Jerry Garcia cover), Uncle John’s Band, Alabama Getaway, Man Smart, Woman Smarter (King Radio cover), Crazy Fingers, Lost Sailor. Saint of Circumstance

Set II: Cats Under the Stars (Jerry Garcia Band cover), Minglewood Blues (Cannon’s Jug Stompers cover), Estimated Prophet, St. Stephen. I Know You Rider ([traditional] cover) (with Katie Jacoby), Baba O’Riley (The Who cover) (with Katie Jacoby), We Will Not Be Lovers (The Waterboys cover)

Enc.: Stella Blue

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colo.
June 4, 2023

Set I: Truckin’, Born Cross-Eyed (> The Eleven Tease >), Shakedown Street, Me and My Uncle (John Phillips cover), Eyes of the World, Feel Like a Stranger, Deal (Jerry Garcia cover)

Set II: Black-Throated Wind (Bob Weir cover), Cream Puff War, Bertha, Playing in the Band (Bob Weir cover), New Speedway Boogie, The Other One, Hey You (Pink Floyd cover), Terrapin Station

Enc.: Sugar Magnolia