Over the weekend of January 16-18, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) returned to the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester for three nights. This Capitol Theatre run felt like more than just another JRAD gig — especially coming less than a week after the passing of Bob Weir. Every show of the weekend radiated with reverence for the Dead’s canon and deep creative play, threading emotion and intensity throughout every twist and turn.

The vibe in The Cap on January 16 pulsed with both celebration and remembrance — especially when owner/promoter Peter Shapiro invited the crowd to take a moment of silence for Bob Weir before the music began.

From the moment Scott Metzger opened with an acoustic “Weather Report Suite Prelude,” it was clear this wouldn’t be a typical Friday night. An intimate intro set a reflective tone that blossomed into a full-on Grateful Dead odyssey as “Let It Grow” and “Here Comes Sunshine” unfurled with warm, emotive improvisation.

Once the band ignited “Scarlet Begonias” into “Cassidy” and ultimately, “I Know You Rider,” the crowd was locked in, dancing and singing along with joyful urgency.

But the real fireworks came when Warren Haynes joined for the entire second set and encore. His guitar and vocals added chunky, soulful textures, turning “Bird Song” into a profound, almost spiritual highlight, with a surprising detour into “Mountain Jam” that felt like a tribute and a jam band summit all at once. “Truckin’,” “Shakedown Street,” and Allman Brothers Band classics like “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” found new life with Haynes’ bluesy fire and the band’s endless creativity.

The encore pairing of “No One to Run With” > “Not Fade Away” was pure crowd-pleasing catharsis, and at times it felt like the audience’s voice became a part of the band’s own energy. The vibe was emotional, celebratory, blues-infused and rocking hard.

By Sunday night, the vibe had subtly shifted — still honoring Weir, but more raw and unfiltered in creative expression. The setlist opened deep with classic Dead material: “Lost Sailor” > “Saint of Circumstance” set a thoughtful, emotional tone, which then flowed into a lively “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo,” “Estimated Prophet,” and a glowing “Eyes of the World.” Marco Benevento even teased a unexpected nod to “Royals” with a subtle musical wink during his instrumental stretch, a moment that sparked wide smiles among fans.

The second set surged with “Promised Land” and “Black-Throated Wind” building into gritty, deeper cuts like “Jack Straw” before opening up into a long, adventurous “Terrapin Station” > “The Other One” journey – this was JRAD at their exploratory best. The closing “Morning Dew” hit with heartbreaking beauty, leaving the venue buzzing long after the final note faded.

Just because the Cap hadn’t given enough magic yet, Metzger returned alone for a solo acoustic encore with “1952 Vincent Black Lightning,” a tender and personal flourish to cap off the weekend. The vibe was soulful, visionary, and deeply musical, a night where every Dead fan in the room felt seen.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY

Friday, January 16

Set One: Weather Report Suite Prelude* > Let It Grow > Here Comes Sunshine > The Music Never Stopped > Scarlet Begonias > Cassidy > I Know You Rider

Set Two: Jam^ > Bird Song > Mountain Jam > Bird Song > Truckin’ > Shakedown Street > In Memory of Elizabeth Reed > Deep Elem Blues > When I Paint My Masterpiece

Encore: No One to Run With > Not Fade Away

* Metzger solo
^With Warren Haynes on the second set & encore

Saturday, January 17

Set 1: Jam* > Good Lovin > Bertha > My Brother Esau > Fire on the Mountain > Race is On > Dancin in the Street

Set 2: Sage and Spirit > Playin in the Band > Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Lawyers Guns and Money > Throwin Stones > Brokedown Palace

Encore: Thunder Road > One More Saturday Night

*Entire show with Stuart Bogie

Sunday, January 18

Set One: Lost Sailor -> Saint of Circumstance -> Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo -> Estimated Prophet -> Eyes of the World -> New Minglewood Blues

Set Two: Promised Land -> Black-Throated Wind -> Jack Straw -> Space -> Terrapin Station -> The Other One -> Morning Dew

Encore: 1952 Vincent Black Lightning (Metzger solo acoustic)