The skies were tangled in gloom all day in New Haven, CT, on May 24, 2025, but Joe Russo’s Almost Dead dispelled the inclement weather with two sets of improvisational heat. The performance marked the band’s thirteenth appearance at the Westville Music Bowl, a former tennis stadium turned premier concert venue near Yale University. Fresh off stellar shows in Virginia Beach and Asbury Park, the stage was set for another outstanding night of music at a venue they are known to crush.
As they walked onstage, the band was still energized from their show the previous night in Asbury Park, NJ. After settling in, drummer Joe Russo eased into a beat reminiscent of “Eyes of the World,” which soon morphed into Bob Dylan’s “Tangled Up in Blue,” played for the first time since August 4, 2024. Guitarist Tom Hamilton sang the classic blues-rock tune while Joe Russo’s golden retriever, the ever-adorable Teddy, ambled onto the stage. The friendly pup made the rounds among all five musicians but was unable to find a playmate.
The exceptional guitar work led into “The Music Never Stopped,” sung by guitarist Scott Metzger. As the song progressed, the band slowed the tempo, giving multi-instrumentalist Marco Benevento space to shine with beautiful passages on the grand piano. They then picked up the pace again, driven by face-melting guitar work, before dropping back into the song’s core structure.
The band then launched into “Help on the Way,” much to the crowd’s delight. This concise version segued into “Slipknot!,” which was anything but standard. JRAD’s thrillingly unpredictable jam directions are exactly what set the group apart from other Grateful Dead cover bands.
As the “Slipknot!” jam unfolded, the band suddenly veered into “Feel Like a Stranger.” The vibe began dark and ambient, then eased into a slow, euphoric passage as Marco Benevento layered textures with his Hammond organ and the rest of the band elevated the groove with soaring guitar lines. They closed the first set with “Althea,” which featured two distinct improvisational segments: the first spotlighted more of Benevento’s tasty piano work, while the second highlighted the spirited guitar interplay between Tom Hamilton and Scott Metzger.
The band returned for the second set with a vibrant intro led by Marco Benevento. They launched into “Cumberland Blues,” highlighted by high-energy guitar solos. After a brief pause, they dove into a mellow yet groove-rich intro jam that, propelled by bassist Dave Dreiwitz’s thumping lines, flowed seamlessly into “Dancing in the Streets.” The plot thickened as the tune evolved: Tom Hamilton took the reins on guitar, weaving tasty peaks and valleys throughout the improvisation. All we need is music, sweet music, indeed. At just over sixteen minutes, it was the evening’s longest jam.
A flawless segue brought the band into “Cold Rain and Snow.” The tune had appeared only twice before in their repertoire, and this marked its first outing since 2022. A spirited build-up unfolded within the catchy, blues-rock–inspired song, which gradually shifted into the celebrated jam vehicle “Dark Star.” The piece opened with spacey keyboard textures that evolved into lively interplay between organ and slide guitar. This luminous rendition included only the first verse before dissolving into a slower tempo.
The spacey transition slowly blossomed into “Lady with a Fan,” which in turn gave way to a rousing “Terrapin Station.” The opening segment featured an extended jam highlighted by a radiant guitar solo before the band returned to the chorus. Locking into another tight groove, the quintet then launched into the night’s standout improvisation. The band was at its finest as it powered through the tune’s climactic finale.
They skillfully shifted into a roaring “I Need a Miracle,” sung by Metzger. He led the charge with electrifying guitar licks while Benevento complemented him on the organ, closing the set on an energetic high.
The band returned for an encore and, for the second night in a row, summoned the spirit of the Allman Brothers with a fiery take on “Black Hearted Woman,” featuring Tom Hamilton on vocals and plenty of crowd participation. The short-lived jam quickly pivoted into a vivacious “The Other One,” capping the Memorial Day-weekend show on a high note.
JRAD plays next at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on June 12 in Hampton, NH. Afterward, they perform in Hyannis, MA, at the Cape Cod Melody Tent on June 12. Appearances at both the All Good Now and Mountain Jam music festivals follow. They return in August for back to back performances at Perinton Center Park Amphitheater in Perinton, NY, on August 8-9 before heading to Jay, VT on August 10th. Visit their tour page for more dates and details.
Check out more photos from the show. Also, view our coverage of Joe Russo's Almost Dead from their show in Asbury Park, NJ.
Band: Joe Russo's Almost Dead
Date: May 24, 2025
Venue: The Westville Music Bowl
Location: New Haven, CT
Set One: Jam > Tangled Up in Blue > The Music Never Stopped, Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Feel Like a Stranger > Althea
Set Two: Cumberland Blues, Dancing in the Street > Cold Rain and Snow > Dark Star > Lady With A Fan > Terrapin Station > I Need a Miracle
Encore: Black Hearted Woman > The Other One
