Joe Russo’s Almost Dead gifted the Atlantic and Northeast states a three-night Memorial Day Weekend run, starting in Virginia Beach, VA. We missed this great show but were fortunate to attend their throw down at the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, NJ, on May 23, 2025. This was their second performance at the gritty venue that is erected in the asphalt parking lot of the famous Stone Pony, which is across the street from the Atlantic Ocean. The band brought the heat on this very damp and cold day in the form of a couple of setlist rarities. Drummer Joe Russo’s dog, Teddy, made a notably cute appearance.

Prior to the show, a brief double rainbow appeared over the ocean as the rain finally subsided. The set began with a contemplative jam opener that helped the band find their footing at a new venue three hundred and forty miles from the last. This masterfully merged into their first Dead cover of the night, “Row Jimmy.” The energy ratcheted up considerably during “Greatest Story Ever Told,” where guitarists Tom Hamilton and Scott Metzger soared early. The flow slowed into a mysterious segment before a blues-rock climb that was led by Russo.

In between songs, Russo took a moment to mention that the band actually walked on the New Jersey Turnpike to get to the venue today. They then dove into Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City.” This was played for the first time since September 6, 2024. Hamilton contributed vocals to this Jersey Shore-inspired ballad. The music never stopped as the band sailed into Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle.” Metzger sang this old tune that was popularized by The Black Crowes.

A vibrant buildup followed into “Cats Under the Stars,” by the Jerry Garcia Band. Bassist Dave Dreiwitz delivered a ripping bass jam. This was the jam of the night and included both whimsical and tribal moments.

The set ended after another stellar transition into the Allman Brothers’ “Les Brers in A Minor.” Russo played the tune last month when he sat in with The Brothers, which incorporated surviving members of the Allman Brothers Band. This was the first time that JRAD played the tune as well, and we can only hope they play this more. Dreiwitz was back with more bass bombs, which eventually gave way to a Russo solo, as well as a drum-and-bass duet with Dreiwitz and Russo. The rest of the band rejoined them, as keyboardist Marco Benevento elegantly decorated the Southern rock tune. As the song closed, Russo introduced his bandmates before they all took a much-needed break.

The band came out swinging during set two with a raging “Scarlet Begonias,” which comprised a slow blues-rock clinic by Metzger. A strong transition followed into “Good Lovin’,” by the Young Rascals, which encompassed gospel-like moments on the organ via Benevento. The boys shifted gears into the mid-tempo eight-bar blues tune “It Hurts Me Too,” by Tampa Red. This rarely played cover was last seen at the Capitol Theater on January 19, 2025.

Well-known jam vehicle “China Cat Sunflower,” by the Grateful Dead, elevated the music back into a deep groove, led by Hamilton. The music then glided into The Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hanging On.” This Motown hit was last played on October 3, 2024, at The Ting Pavilion in Charlottesville, VA. The band continued to deliver an inferno with a spirited “I Know You Rider.” During the transition into the next song, Russo’s adorable golden retriever, Teddy, made an appearance on stage. The dog brought a tennis ball to the feet of Metzger, with the hope that the musician would abandon his guitar to play ball. Instead, Metzger and the band smiled as they continued to play, despite the extremely cute request. Teddy eventually gave up, and the band rolled into a monster “Samson and Delilah,” which ended the set.

The band returned to encore with Chuck Berry’s “Promised Land,” which is a blues-rock cover that is newer to JRAD’s repertoire. This was the perfect show conclusion and sent fans home with a huge smile.

JRAD is back in action at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on June 12 in Hampton, NH. This is followed by a performance in Hyannis, MA at the Cape Cod Melody Tent on June 12. Afterwards, they make appearances at both the All Good Now and Mountain Jam music festivals. They return in August for back to back performances at Perinton Center Park Amphitheater in Perinton, NY on August 8-9. Head on over to their tour page for more details on these and other dates.

Check out more photos from the show!

Band: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Venue: The Stone Pony Summer Stage
Date: May 23, 2025
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
Set One: Jam (>) Row Jimmy, Greatest Story Ever Told (>) Atlantic City (>) Hard to Handle (>) Cats Under the Stars (>) Les Brers in A Minor
Set Two: Scarlet Begonias (>) Good Lovin’, It Hurts Me Too, China Cat Sunflower (>) You Keep Me Hangin’ On (>) I Know You Rider (>) Samson and Delilah
Encore: Promised Land