Tag: JRAD

Dance 2016 Away in the Big Apple

New Year’s Eve and New York City go hand-in-hand. While the celebration and ball drop in Times Square receive the most attention from people around the world, there are also a ton of musical happenings in the city, with Phish’s storied Big Apple New Year’s Eve run at Madison Square Garden, December 28 to 31, 2016 being one of the big highlights. Here’s a rundown of the shows happening, some billed as Phish after-parties and some shows worth mentioning on their own accord. There’s something for Phish fans and non-fans alike in the city during the days leading up to 2017.

American Beauty, just a block from MSG, is hosting several Phish-related events. They kick off the run on Dec. 27 with a free show by Phish tribute band Jibooty and a late set from Escaper. The show starts at 7 p.m. The following four nights, they feature Phish pre-parties and after-parties. Dec. 28 sees PEAK and Gang of Thieves playing a pre-party at 4 p.m. for $5 and Particle and J. WAIL playing the after-party at 11:55 p.m. for $20. Dead Sessions plays tribute to the Grateful Dead for both the pre-party at 4 p.m. and after-party at 11:55 p.m. on Dec. 29. These shows are $20 each. Phanart presents a free pre-party on Dec. 30 with Formula 5 starting at 3 p.m. Spafford and the Magic Beans play two nights on Dec. 30 and 31 after Phish. They start at 11:55 p.m. and are $25 for each night. The pre-party on Dec. 31 features the Stella Blues Band paying tribute to the Grateful Dead at 4 p.m. with a $15 cover.

DROM in the East Village hosts two Phish after-parties on Dec. 28 and 29. Aqueous plays the 28th with Mungion. The show starts at midnight with tickets at $12.50 in advance or $17 at the door. The 29th sees lespecial with Chromatropic. The show starts at 11:30 p.m. with tickets going for $12 in advance or $15 at the door.

The Cutting Room, a handful of blocks from MSG, is also hosting several Phish parties, all presented by CEG. Elise Testone brings her “Thankful for Amy” tribute to Amy Winehouse with several special guests for an early show at 8 p.m. and a Phish after-party at midnight on Dec. 28. Tickets for both are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Kung Fu plays an after-party on Dec. 29 at midnight with tickets at $18 in advance or $20 at the door. Holly Bowling pays tribute to Phish and the Grateful Dead through her solo piano work at pre-parties on Dec. 30 and 31. The shows start at 4 p.m. with tickets running $15 in advance or $20 at the door. The Marcus King Band plays the after-party on Dec. 30 at midnight. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

The Brooklyn Bowl has a series of shows leading up to the new year. Zeppelin Bowl, featuring Gene Ween, Scott Ian and John Medeski, takes place on Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and still available. Joe Russo’s Almost Dead plays a sold out show on Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. Late night on the 29th is Talib Kweli performing a DJ set at midnight for $10. Kamasi Washington and the Budos Band are playing Dec. 30 and New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $40 for the 30th and $65 to $75 for New Year’s Eve. Both shows start at 8:30 p.m. Sleigh Bells is playing a DJ set late night at midnight on the 30th for $15 with Animal Collective doing the same on New Year’s Eve for $20 to $25.

Being New York City, there are plenty of other shows taking place that are worth checking out. See below for a rundown.

Wednesday, Dec. 28
PEAK with Gang of Thieves @ American Beauty (Midtown) – 4 p.m. – $5 *
Zeppelin Bowl feat. Gene Ween, Scott Ian, John Medeski @ Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn) – 8 p.m. – $20
“Thankful for Amy” with Elise Testone @ The Cutting Room (Midtown) – 8 p.m. & 12 a.m. – $20 each #
Aqueous with Mungion @ DROM (East Village) – 12 a.m. – $17 #
Particle with J. WAIL @ American Beauty (Midtown) – 11:55 p.m. – $20 #
Madaila @ Arlene’s Grocery (Lower East Side) – 11:55 p.m. – $10 #
Hayley Jane and the Primates do Bowie @ Lucille’s at B.B. King’s (Times Square) – 11:59 p.m. – $10 #

Thursday, Dec. 29
Harlem Gospel Choir @ B.B. King’s (Times Square) – 12:30 p.m. – $30
Dead Sessions @ American Beauty (Midtown) – 4 p.m. & 11:55 p.m. – $20 each * #
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead @ Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn) – 8 p.m. – $40
Dar Williams @ The Bell House (Brooklyn) – 8 p.m. – $25-$30
The Skints with The Far East and Rude Boy George @ Knitting Factory (Brooklyn) – 8:30 p.m. – $20
The Lone Bellow @ Bowery Ballroom (Lower East Side) – 9 p.m. – $30
Start Making Sense @ Irving Plaza (Gramercy/Flatiron) – Doors 11 p.m. – $20
lespecial with Chromatropic @ DROM (East Village) – 12 a.m. – $15 #
Kung Fu @ The Cutting Room (Midtown) – 12 a.m. – $20 #
Talib Kweli (DJ Set) @ Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn) – 12 a.m. – $10

Friday, Dec. 30
Formula 5 @ American Beauty (Midtown) – 3 p.m. – free *
Holly Bowling @ The Cutting Room (Midtown) – 4 p.m. – $20 *
David Wax Museum with Auld Lang Syne @ Mercury Lounge (Lower East Side) – 6:30 p.m. – $20
Tower of Power @ B.B. King’s (Times Square) – 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. – $45 each
Snarky Puppy @ Irving Plaza (Gramercy/Flatiron) – Doors 8 p.m. – $45
Gov’t Mule @ Beacon Theatre (Upper West Side) – 8 p.m. – $50-$60
Kamasi Washington with The Budos Band @ Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn) – 8:30 p.m. – $40
The Lone Bellow @ Bowery Ballroom (Lower East Side) – 9 p.m. – $30
Cymbals Eat Guitars with Haybaby @ Mercury Lounge (Lower East Side) – 10:30 p.m. – $20
Pink Talking Fish plays Animals @ Gramercy Theater (Gramercy/Flatiron) – 11 p.m. – $29.50 #
Spafford with The Magic Beans @ American Beauty (Midtown) – 11:55 p.m. – $25 #
Sprocket with Kabina @ The Bitter End (Greenwich Village) – 12 a.m. #
The Marcus King Band @ The Cutting Room (Midtown) – 12 a.m. – $20 #
Sleigh Bells (DJ Set) @ Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn) – 12 a.m. – $15

Saturday, Dec. 31
Stella Blues Band @ American Beauty (Midtown) – 4 p.m. – $15 *
Holly Bowling @ The Cutting Room (Midtown) – 4 p.m. – $20 *
Snarky Puppy @ Irving Plaza (Gramercy/Flatiron) – Doors 8 p.m. – $60
Rainer Maria with Snail Mail @ Saint Vitus (Brooklyn) – 8 p.m. – $25
Kamasi Washington with The Budos Band @ Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn) – 8:30 p.m. – $65-$75
Gov’t Mule @ Beacon Theatre (Upper West Side) – 9 p.m. – $65-$75
Guided by Voices @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Brooklyn) – 9 p.m. – $70
The Lone Bellow @ Bowery Ballroom (Lower East Side) – 10 p.m. – $40
All-Star James Brown Dance Party @ Gramercy Theater (Gramercy/Flatiron) – 12 a.m. – $35 #
Spafford with The Magic Beans @ American Beauty (Midtown) – 11:55 p.m. – $25 #
Animal Collective (DJ Set) @ Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn) – 12 a.m. – $20-$25
Snarky Puppy @ Irving Plaza (Gramercy/Flatiron) – Doors 1 a.m. – $35 #
The New Deal @ B.B. King’s (Times Square) – 1:30 a.m. – $30 #

* Billed as Phish pre-party
# Billed as Phish after-party

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJyf5NqiMNE[/embedyt]

December 26, 2016
Best of NYS Music 2016: Biggest Musical Loss and Best Live Cover or Tribute Performance

As we give thanks for the awe inspiring musical talent living among us, we must also honor those who have left incredible music legacies behind. 2016 was particularly rough, having lost several pioneers and visionaries whose music has influenced not only other musicians, but has affected so many of us far outside the realm of making music. Their songs are the songs we queue in epic DJ mixes at dance parties, belt the lyrics alone in our rooms when we’re feeling melodramatic, and reflect on their lyrical wisdom in challenging times.

1). David Bowie

January 8, 1947 – January 10, 2016

2). Prince

June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016

3). Leonard Cohen

September 21, 1934 – November 7, 2016

Staff and readers unanimously agreed David Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen were our three most cherished losses in the music community this year. All three were producing up until their heartbreaking deaths with Bowie’s Blackstar (2016), Prince’s HITnRUN Phase One and HITnRUN Phase Two (2015) and Cohen’s You Want it Darker (2016).

Other notable losses in 2016 include Leon Russel, Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire, John Berry of Beastie Boys and Merle Haggard.

Best Live Cover or Tribute Performance

It seems fitting to follow up Biggest Musical Losses with Best Live Cover or Tribute Performance as a way of honoring the work of past musical greats. In this year’s poll, we received so many noteworthy performances. Our staff voted on Dopakuaz’s Yacht Rock, Lotus’ Space Disco set at the Town Ballroom, Mirk’s Michael Jackson medley, Phish’s Ziggy Stardust tribute, Start Making Sense, James Brown Dance Party, Salt City Waltz and Twiddle’s cover of ALO’s “BBQ”

Readers chose Aqueous covering “Band on the Run,” JRAD’s performance at Lockn’, Phish’s Suffragette City cover, Pink Talking Fish’s Nov. 17 show in Denver, Twenty One Pilots covering “Cancer” and White Denim’s Prince Medley. Recap Monday’s staff and reader picks for Albums of the Year, and stay tuned as the series continues throughout the week.

https://youtu.be/hF_0E31d7dQ?t=29m54s

December 14, 2016
Don’t Miss Saturday’s Jam Packed ‘Brooklyn Comes Alive’

On October 22, the musical jam spirit in New York will be at its height when the sold-out Brooklyn Comes Alive festival comes to three venues in the heart of Williamsburg. This one-day event features a veritable who’s who spanning the jam band, funk and electronic scenes

Members of The Disco Biscuits, Medeski, Martin & Wood, The String Cheese Incident, Lettuce, Break Science, Greyboy Allstars, Mike Gordon Band, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Soulive and the Trey Anastasio Band are just a few of the more than 50 artists slated to perform.

This event promises to feature performances from hand-selected super groups, impromptu jam sessions, and very rare collaborations, kicking off with brunch and running well into the depths of the evening. The venues that will host this monstrosity also happen to be Brooklyn’s most popular venues – Brooklyn Bowl, The Hall at MP, and Music Hall of Williamsburg, which are all conveniently within a 10-minute walking distance from each other.

With the festivities kicking off at noon at The Hall at MP, brunch will be hosted inside at the MP Taverna, featuring an amazing dining experience from Michelin Star chef Michael Psilakis. For those that are worried about missing out on some of the action while fueling up, live audio will be pumped into the dining room to keep the grooves going.

Also featured are members from groups such as The Knux, Ne-Yo, Snarky Puppy, RAQ, Nth Power, Stanton Moore Trio, Kung Fu, Primus, Dopapod, Garaj Mahal, Dub Trio, Gov’t Mule, The Black Crowes, The Stepkids, Deep Banana Blackout, Matisyahu, Organ Freeman, and Santana. In addition to the collaboration of band members from different groups, established solo artists will be making an appearance including Samora Pinderhughes, Raul Pineda, Farnell Newton, Chauncey Yearwood, Ian McGuire, Wiley Griffin, Luke Bemand and Dan Lyons.

Holly Bowling, the solo pianist who takes Phish and Grateful Dead classic jams and transcribes them arranged for piano, will open the festivities just after noon at The Hall MP of Brooklyn. Highlights include the All Brothers Band — featuring Oteil and Kofi Burbridge, and Neal and Alan Evans — Tim Palmieri and Friends, DRKWAV, which features John Medeski, Adam Deitch and Skerik, and Horizon Wireless.

Reed Mathis and Electric Beethoven is a new group that takes inspiration from Ludwig Van Beethoven, and has arranged some of his classic pieces for a rock group. This is one of the must see acts of the festival. The Rhythmatronix, featuring Jason Hann, Oteil Burbridge and Sting and Garage Mahal guitarist Fareed Haque, are the late-night group at The MP. This is just a small smattering of the incredible lineup put together by Live 4 Live Music.

A few hours after brunch is concluded, Brooklyn Bowl and Music Hall of Williamsburg will open and will stay open throughout the night.

Full List of Performers:
Joe Russo (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead/Furthur/Benevento-Russo Duo)
Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers/Dead & Company)
Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits)
Aron Magner (The Disco Biscuits)
John Medeski (Medeski Martin & Wood)
Borahm Lee (Break Science)
Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band)
James Casey (Trey Anastasio Band)
Chris Bullock (Snarky Puppy)
Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead)
Kofi Burbridge (Tedeschi Trucks Band)
Alan Evans (Soulive)
Neal Evans (Soulive)
Eric “Benny” Bloom (Lettuce)
Jesus Coomes (Lettuce)
Adam Smirnoff (Lettuce)
Ryan Zoidis (Lettuce)
Roosevelt Collier
Michael League (Snarky Puppy)
Skerik
Todd Stoops (RAQ)
Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy)
Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power)
Nick Cassarino (The Nth Power)
Nate Edgar (The Nth Power)
Courtney J’Mell Smith (The Nth Power)
Manic Focus
Will Bernard (Stanton Moore Trio)
Tim Palmieri (Kung Fu)
Jay Lane (Primus/Electric Beethoven)
Rob Compa (Dopapod)
Eli Winderman (Dopapod)
Adrian Tramontano (Kung Fu)
Holly Bowling
Rob Marscher (Matisyahu)
Brasstracks
Fareed Haque (Garaj Mahal)
Cochrane McMillan (Tea Leaf Green)
Andy Hess (Gov’t Mule/The Black Crowes)
Eric Slick (Dr. Dog)
Dan Edinburg (The Stepkids)
Jen Durkin (Deep Banana Blackout)
Johnny Durkin (Deep Banana Blackout)
Jason Hann (The String Cheese Incident)
Adam Deitch (Lettuce/Break Science)
Robert Walter (Greyboy Allstars/Mike Gordon)
Reed Mathis (Electric Beethoven)
Rob Somerville (Kung Fu)
Benny Rietveld (Santana)
Jake Sherman
Raul Pineda
Farnell Newton
Danny Sadownick

October 19, 2016
Set Up Like a Bowling Pin: JRAD Knocks Down the Brooklyn Bowl Run

If the Brooklyn Bowl ever decides to create a Hall of Fame, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) can be sure to add “Fall Ball 2” to their list of accomplishments. As Saturday night wrapped up the sold out three-show run for this incredible quintet, I will non-apologetically say that they are the most important “cover band” in the world and are potentially better than anything Grateful Dead related today. The Bowl was where they capitalized on their first run as a newly developed powerhouse and years later, this all-star side project has become nationally recognized and a force to be reckoned with.

“Blues for Allah” welcomed the crowd to the show. The Dead rarely performed the spacey and complex composition live, which JRAD seems to greet as a challenge and ambitiously took the “Blues” to another level before stepping into a starry “Eyes of the World.” A delicate transition into “Minglewood Blues” was highlighted by Scott Metzger’s fiery guitar solo turning into the first fist-pumping barn-burner of the night. The band slowly eased into “The Wheel” with an extended jam taken over by Tom Hamilton in between the first and second verses. I couldn’t help getting chills as the five pieces screamed out the lyrics “bound to cover just a little more ground.” Observing the usual peaks and valleys of “The Wheel” from a viewpoint that only JRAD could capture was truly a magical experience and one of the highlights of the first set. The breathtaking transition into “Ramble On Rose” got the predictable crowd explosion as “just like New York City” was sung to their hometown audience. There was a Tom Hamilton lyrical mishap but with the room in a trance, nobody seemed to give a flying flub.

M erle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” was technically the night’s first cover that this cover band covered (make sense?). The cowboy song gave the thirsty crowd a few short minutes to grab a beer before returning for the otherworldly “Morning Dew.” The unusually energetic intro to the tune made some Heads scratch their beards but the euphoric meltdown in the middle orchestrated by Joe Russo’s team-captain drumming leadership was as mellow as it gets on a Saturday night. The always-powerful refrain was given some extra juice by Dave Dreiwitz’s bass bombs shaking the rafters as the first set came to an impressive close.

The second set got asses shaking right off the bat with “Crazy Fingers” and I am pretty sure you could actually smell the reggae influenced magic in the air. Another incredibly silky transition led to the monster “Truckin’” and once again the crowd showed some extra excitement in the lyrical reference to New York. The band also got a kick out the lyrics “set up like a bowling pin” which was evident by their ear-to-ear smiles as they exchanged glances. Joe Russo instigated a quick “The Other One” tease to keep the set list note takers on their feet, but the scribes weren’t disappointed with the next rarity, Donny Hathaway’s “Magnificent Sanctuary Band” popularly performed by the Jerry Garcia Band.

“Help On The Way> Slipknot” was the jazzy cherry on top of the second set sundae and gave Marco Benevento a chance to have his wings spread bright on the organ. Where Hamilton vocally shined during the first section, Benevento added a haunting solo during the thick of the jam. While many came to expect a glowing and upbeat “Franklin’s Tower” to be the other piece of bread to this incomplete sandwich, Benevento and Russo teamed up to create an eerie transition into “Estimated Prophet” which was reminiscent of an early Pink Floyd sample. Benevento used an effect that sounded like a spaceship in Atari’s Galaga being abducted by a larger spacecraft and the retro noise was very suitable at this point in the night. The first guest appearance came during the set closer as Chris Harford (Band of Changes) joined the boys for Neil Young’s “Hippie Dream” off the 1986 album, Landing on Water. The gritty and bluesy piece gave each member the instrumental spotlight for a moment before they stepped off stage.

The encore was an unannounced nod to a long time friend and JRAD enthusiast that recently passed away. “He Was a Friend Of Mine”, a traditional folk song popularized by Bob Dylan was performed acoustically as the members displayed their first sorrowful tone on stage since “Morning Dew.” This version is not to be confused with the “He Was a Friend of Mine” cited in Grateful Dead set lists throughout the mid to late 1960’s and felt more like something you may hear off a Garcia/ Grisman compilation. While the somber acoustic tune mourned the loss of a loved one, “Not Fade Away” celebrated their friend’s life and memory. The boys were back on their electric instruments as half the crowd “air keyed” along with Marco. Seasoned Deadheads began the “Not Fade Away” ending clap-chant combo along with the band, which echoed for a solid five minutes even after they left the stage. Security opened the exits encouraging fans to leave, but the community energy was keeping everyone warm inside and sure enough, the group came back for a surprise second encore, “Bertha” to cap off an incredible evening.

As the house music played and the audience finally began to exit the venue, I couldn’t help but stare at the vintage poster that has hung above the side doors since the early days of the Brooklyn Bowl. While the band’s title bares the description “Almost Dead” the words next to this mystical werewolf poster read “Real, Alive” and after a throw down like Saturday night, I think we can all side with the wolf.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead is covering a little more ground at the Brooklyn Bowl on December 29^th before taking a short trip north for their two night New Year’s run at the Capitol Theatre on December 30^th and 31^st. Tickets are going fast and after this past weekend they are sure to sell out soon!

October 11, 2016
The LOCKN’ Report: Day 2

Friday the Jam ‘Lympics at LOCKN’ swung into full effect with it’s first full day of music. In fact, from the opening notes of Upstate New York’s own Donna the Buffalo at 11am at the Blue Ridge Bowl, until Joe Russo’s Almost Dead closed out the night at the same venue well after 3am, there was live music to be heard for over 16 straight uninterrupted hours. As any veteran of the festival scene will tell you, it’s a marathon and not a sprint.

Jam titans Phish closed out a long day at the main stage with a rare non-native festival appearance. After shaking off some early dust through opening takes of “Wilson” and “Down with Disease” the band proceeded to flex their muscles, showing why they are favorites to lead in the medal count at week’s end. Mike Gordon played the part of anchor in their version of the 4×100 relay, pushing and pulling the jams into deeper and funkier spaces throughout the first set. “Wolfman’s Brother” developed into an extended “Sneaking Sally”-esque jam, while the “It’s Ice” interlude grooved extra hard. The words said “falling on the ice” but the execution said, nailed the triple axle.

The second set featured highlight jam after highlight jam, including a crowning jewel of a “Ghost” that had the entire Phish team jelling in ways they haven’t quite yet in 2016. It contained multiple segments, deep pocketed groove, ethereal noodling, raging rock anthem. It segued perfectly into “Bathtub Gin,” which was just another vessel to be navigated into improvisation waters. And the rapids were still raging, and they pushed through it masterfully.

In order to get their proper stage set up, Phish was the only band to not utilize the rotating stage, shunning the seamless set concept with a 1 hour break. But in keeping with the LOCKN’ spirit, their show featured an almost seamless run of songs, with many noteworthy segues and nary a quiet moment, with no inter-song banter whatsoever. Just more wall-to-wall music.

As the fans trudged off the main field following the final rings of the “Character Zero” encore, the main stage laid silent for the first time in 12 hours. Moogatu, Turkuaz and Vulfpeck got the day started off, each hosting their own little dance party. Vulfpeck followed up Thursday night’s preliminary round set with a cover-heavy set, again featuring Antwaun Stanley on vocals. After they played “Game Winner” it was clear they had earned a medal. Joe Dart again showed off his acrobatic skill, performing a handstand for the entire rotation of the stage as their set came to a close.

Austin rockers White Denim rotated around on the other side, with a blast of pure rock energy. Their first few songs featured Scott Metzger on guitar, for takes on “Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)” and a Roxy Music cover, that saw the band take full advantage of the two guitar assault, throwing their hat in the ring with the other jammers that would share the stage.

Charles Bradley’s and His Extraordinaires came swinging around the turntable next, picking up with the rock, instrumentally introducing their team captain, Charles Bradley himself, who was dressed to kill in a black vest and black pants. He lead the band through a program of classic soul and funk sounds that showered messages of peace and love on the overheated crowd. A midset wardrobe change allowed for some more instrumental magic. Charles Bradley, a man that has as many nicknames as the best boxers (including Black Rose and Black Swan) deserves two introductions, and he received it. He finished out the stage decked out in glittering gold, and gold he shall receive.

Peter Wolf, of J. Geils fame, continued with the elder statesmen segment of the festival, careening around the stage with rock star panache. He payed tribute even to his elders, including John Lee Hooker on a cover of “Serves You Right to Suffer.” The set featured straight blues, classic rock, and even dipped into some bluegrass with “Love Stinks.”

Closing out the daytime portion before Phish’s appearance, Ween closed out their two show stint at LOCKN’ with a late afternoon set, of ‘Space age daytime rock.’ In their qualifying round, they concentrated on some rarer material, but for their medal round they played a set full of fan-favorites and hits. A bit more rocking, a bit more accessible, and a whole lot of fun. The set was peppered with heavy hitters that had the crowd singing and fist pumping, particularly a midset run of “Spinal Meningitis,” “The HIV Song,” “Roses Are Free” (unfortunately with no Phish sit-in), “Your Party,” “Bananas and Blow” and ending on a blistering version of “Voodoo Lady.” After shredding a lengthy guitar solo, Dean Ween exclaimed “I got a cramp from all that rocking!” But for Jam ‘Lympics glory it was totally worth it.

More late night fun back at the village, Circles Around the Sun, the one-off band put together by guitarist Neal Casal for last year’s Fare Thee Well webcasts, played their live debut to a packed crowd at the intimate and appropriately named Woods Stage. Lights flashed over the trees giving the essence of a magical forest, and once the band kicked in the magic was ever-present. A four-piece Grateful Dead-inspired all-instrumental groove band, they had the crowd entranced. Meanwhile, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead was back at the Blue Ridge Bowl for more of the same. This time they brought out Nicole Atkins for “Dancing in the Streets” and “Music Never Stopped” and “Turn on Your Lovelight.” The set also featured an explicit bridge between the jam worlds of past and present, as Shakedown Street included a jam on “Bathtub Gin.”

The final notes of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead were still hanging thick in the air later that morning when Keller Williams took the stage for his unique bluegrass takes on the very same source material. But that’s a story for another day. LOCKN’ day three beckons. Stay tuned!

August 27, 2016