The Met Philadelphia has stood for over one hundred years, serving a variety of purposes—from a church to hosting Bob Dylan. This ornate, history-rich venue welcomed Joe Russo's Almost Dead for the fifth time on Friday, November 15, 2024. The sold-out show was no slouch, as the band delved into a pair of rare covers alongside a hearty selection of Grateful Dead bliss.
The festivities began with a jazzy intro that gradually built into "Scarlet Begonias." Keyboardist Marco Benevento was in top form, making his presence felt early on. Guitarist Tom Hamilton matched the energy, unleashing his fury during this Grateful Dead classic. A psychedelic sequence followed, seamlessly transitioning the band into Paul Davis' "Six Days on the Road," last performed in Manteo, NC, on August 10, 2023. An upbeat jam then flowed smoothly into Bob Weir's "Greatest Story Ever Told," sung by guitarist Scott Metzger. Drummer Joe Russo was a dynamic force, driving the tune with his powerful rhythms.
A soft and melodic sequence unfolded, eventually building into an explosive rendition of "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo." Hamilton delivered powerful vocals on this vibrant Grateful Dead classic, with the band returning to a gentler tone before concluding the song.
This skillfully led into a brief "Scarlet Begonias" reprise before transitioning into a fiery "Fire on the Mountain." Bassist Dave Dreiwitz laid down a funk-driven groove during this well-known tune, while Benevento continued to dazzle on the piano. Hamilton elevated the intensity with stellar blues-rock guitar work. Keeping with their herbage theme, the band closed out the delightful set with "Sugar Magnolia.
After a short break, the band returned, kicking off the second set much like the first—with a jam that built into "Here Comes Sunshine." An adorable dog made a surprise appearance on stage during the intro. Russo's incredible percussive skills shone brightly throughout the tune. A galvanized "Here Comes Sunshine" followed, with Metzger and Hamilton intertwining their guitar lines during an expansive fifteen-minute jam, while Dreiwitz anchored the music seamlessly on bass. The band teased "China Cat Sunflower" during this heater before returning to "Here Comes Sunshine" and launching into another bluesy direction.
The music transitioned seamlessly into "Easy Wind," which featured another richly layered dual-guitar jam. By this point, the band was firing on all cylinders. A smooth segue into "Help on the Way" followed, with Russo delivering well-placed and inspired beats, particularly during the transitions. Dreiwitz laid down tasty bass thumps, while Hamilton experimented with intriguing guitar effects.
A well-executed transition carried the band into a short but sweet "Slipknot!" The crowd savored every second of this non-stop jam sandwich, which shifted into a mellow, bluesy groove. Dreiwitz took center stage for a bass solo, seamlessly leading the band into "Cumberland Blues." The jam continued to build, with Hamilton slipping in a playful "Jessica" tease. The crowd joined the fun with a round of clapping as Benevento elevated the energy with his dazzling piano work.
The band pivoted into an electrifying "I Need a Miracle," which flowed seamlessly into John Lennon's "Instant Karma!" This marked only the second time Joe Russo's Almost Dead had played the song, the first being on February 8, 2024, in Charlotte, NC. Hamilton took on vocal duties, and the band delivered a powerful rendition, closing the set with energy and vigor.
The quintet returned for a brisk "Big Railroad Blues" encore, bringing their fifth show at the iconic Met Philadelphia to a close.
Joe Russo's Almost Dead is on tour and will be back in action on December 5, 2024, at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, WI. Tickets are available via this link. They have a number of dates around the country announced into 2025. Head on over to their tour page for more dates in your region.
Check out more photos from the show!
Date: November, 15, 2024
Band: Joe Russo's Almost Dead
Venue: The Met Philly
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Set One: Jam > Scarlet Begonias1 > Six Days on the Road2, Greatest Story Ever Told3, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo1 > Scarlet Begonias1 > Fire on the Mountain1, Sugar Magnolia1
Set Two: Jam > Here Comes Sunshine1, Easy Wind1 > Help on the Way1 > Slipknot!1 > Cumberland Blues1 > I Need a Miracle1 > Instant Karma!4
Encore: Big Railroad Blues5
Notes:
1. Grateful Dead
2. Paul Davis cover
3. Bob Weir Cover
4. John Lennon cover
5. Cannon’s Jug Stompers cover
