Joe Russo’s Almost Dead wrapped up their incredibly fast 2024 touring schedule in traditional fashion with a trifecta of shows in the Midwest. This year’s run offered stops in new venues for the band and their continually growing gang of merry followers. The band supplied three heated shows to help thaw out the masses eager to dance and let loose one last time before the calendar reads ’25.
The temperature and river next to Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater were the only things below freezing on night one. The band offered its tightest of the three shows in terms of musical ups and downs. After an opening Stagger Lee, the band found their groove within a Good Lovin jam that set the pace for the rest of the show. Slow and steady, song by song, the band effortlessly stretched and stretched the music like a piece of taffy. Shakedown St., Truckin and Fire On the Mountain finished the first set.
With good vibes bouncing of the majestic theater’s walls, it was easy to get lost in the flow of set two. The four song combo My Brother Esau, The Wheel, Loose Lucy, and Playing in the Band was so intertwined with interactions between each member, by the time the band and crowd stopped for air, some thought the set was over. They were happily incorrect as the band added two more stellar versions of Eyes of the World and Franklin’s Tower that set a high mark for the next two nights.
Anyone who left Milwaukee thinking they had seen the best of what the weekend would offer would be happily incorrect again.
JRAD and krewe headed south for night two in Chicago and the band’s debut at The Salt Shed. The venue opened in 2022 on the site of the former Morton’s Salt factory. With temperatures below freezing again, no salt was needed to clear a path for the fans to enjoy one of the nicest venues that’s recently opened.
There was no even handed stretching the music in night two. Filled with the mojo of the Chicago blues in the air, the band spiked the needle all night long. They also took time to have a little end of the year fun with a couple of JRAD special song intros.
By the end of the opening and blistering Jack Straw – Estimated Prophet combo there was no doubt the energy had shifted and there were no limits moving forward. Having fun while completely in control, the band played the intro to Ramble on Rose before Tom Hamilton sheepishly switched to He’s Gone just in time for the lyrics. The band did the same, teasing an enthusiastic crowd with a rare Silvio before Scott Metzger began with the lyrics of Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line. It was all business as the band blasted their way through a set closing Rubin and Cherise and I Know You Rider that left a couple of permanent dents in the Shed.
Rising crowd favorite Gonesville got the energy flowing in set two that continued with Brown Eyed Women. The band, especially Hamilton has opened that song in directions never heard before all year long. It Hurts Me Too was the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to the Chicago blues legends whose spirit everyone was trying to channel. There was no stopping the rest of the way as Marco Benevento and Dave Dreiwitz happily led everyone through a Dancing in the Streets, The Music Never Stopped, Terrapin Station mind bending, crowd pleasing ending.
A super enthusiastic Minnesota crowd at St. Paul’s Palace Theater welcomed the band for night three and the final show of ’24. It had been nine years since JRAD last visited the state and everyone was ready to make up for lost time. Like the night before, the band mixed fun with some of their best improvisations of the year. A perfect example of fun would be Benevento playing the piano with his foot while stretching out on the organ during Big River. The opening to the song saw the band playing Cumberland Blues before a last second switch. While they were certainly having fun, Let it Grow was filled with uber tight intense musical passages. It was also a showcase for Russo who had next level energy all night. A rare Let Me Sing Your Blues Away and Bertha set the stage for a second set for the ages.
With a laid back vibe resembling night one, the band morphed into one of the finest West LA Fadeaway’s in a long time to kick off their final stanza of ’24. From there Hamilton took control of the action leading his bandmates with a next level transition into China Cat Sunflower. Not to be outdone, the transition into a “beatless” Beat It On Down the Line was jaw dropping. The best of the best of the year. Whatever energy the band and crowd had left was put into a beastly Help on the Way – Slipknot- The Eleven – Throwing Stones combo that showcased every element the band has to offer. Most importantly, that magical energy they can create instantly and sustain beyond what the brain can comprehend at times.
There’s not much of a break for JRAD. Their ’25 opening three night run at The Capitol Theater is just a couple of weeks away.
