Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Brings ‘Instant Karma!’ To Charlotte

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead launched a three-night, multi-city run at The Fillmore Charlotte on Thursday. Prefacing their two-night stand in Atlanta this weekend, JRAD unveiled a cover of John Lennon’s “Instant Karma!” for their encore in the Queen City.

The Grateful Dead tribute act kicked off the concert with a “Space”-esque jam that quickly gained momentum before the band charged into “Cassidy” captained by guitarist Scott Metzger. A vibey jam full of electric piano from keyboardist Marco Benevento and angsty guitar runs from Tom Hamilton ahead of a build up to one final “flight of the seabirds” followed before JRAD dropped into Jerry Garcia Band staple cover “Catfish John.”

Hamilton then helmed “Touch Of Grey.” After finishing off the 1987 hit and an airy exploration, Tom jumped into the first verse of “The Wheel.” A driving bassline from Dave Dreiwitz highlighted the final verse of “Wheel” before the band headed into “Uncle John’s Band” and a raucous “I Need A Miracle” to close the first frame.

Another JGB favorite, Bob Dylan’s “Tangled Up In Blue” began the second set with Hamilton on lead vocals. A smooth segue then landed the band in “Feel Like A Stranger” with Metzger at the wheel. The Bob Weir/John Barlow-penned Go To Heaven classic contained elements of Pink Floyd’s “Fearless,” a notion the band seemed to be toying with in many of the buoyant jams throughout the night. Hamilton offered some fretboard fireworks to lead into “Stranger’s” rowdy finish.

JRAD then cooled things down with “Black Peter” off the Grateful Dead’s June 1970 album Workingman’s Dead, with Tom singing the somber tune which included some bluesy barroom piano from Marco. JRAD then hopped into a spirited “The Music Never Stopped” with Metzger leading the band. A jazzy middle sequence helmed by Benevento heralded another raucous finish to end “TMNS.”

To close the second set, JRAD paired up two songs that are traditionally part of classic Grateful Dead couplings beginning with “Scarlet Begonias” and followed by “I Know You Rider.” JRAD returned to deliver the “Instant Karma!” debut as the encore, which began with solo piano intro from Marco. Tom would take lead vocals on Lennon’s cautionary and yet uplifting 1970 single to cap the concert.

JRAD are on to Atlanta for two nights at The Eastern Friday and Saturday. Watch free livestreams with a nugs.net subscription at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Check out their itinerary with ticket info below: