What a Sunday for a summer review in September. Trey Anastasio Band debuted their new lineup at Yale’s Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT. During its brief history, TAB has continued to add members, starting as a trio and evolving into an octet. New bassist Dezron Douglas said, “I’ve been familiar with his work with Phish since high school; I’m from Hartford, CT, so you can’t grow up in New England and not know about Phish.”
Brooklyn saxophonist Cochemea Gastelum, filling in for James Casey, has worked with Aaron Neville, David Byrne and St Vincent, and collaborated with Soulive drummer Alan Evans. Cochemea is part of Brooklyn’s emerging afrobeat and soul scene and is a great fit with TAB drummer Russ Lawton and keyboardist Ray Paczkowski’s sound. Like Trey this summer with Phish, Soule Monde has been on the road supporting their new album Mimi Digs It, leading up to this East Coast TAB run. Insert Cyro Baptista’s full percussion sections and add Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman on horns and backing vocals and it’s a whole new groove.
A 6:30pm start time at the Westville Music Bowl allowed the whole crowd to be visible from the stage. Trey commented, “This place is pretty cool, I can see all of you.” They kicked it off and suggested to the crowd “to roll with the funk now and turn it around” during “Set Your Soul Free.” “Olivia” stayed Latin-funky, from Trey’s Horseshoe Curve album. Rolling with the funk now, the band then took on Phish’s “Ghost.” That saw Ray P stretching out on the clavinet. More fitting for a new band lineup is new material to debut, including “And Flew Away” and “Never Left Home” from Anastasio’s Lonely Trip record. Jennifer Hartswick’s voice carries across the Long Island Sound like water on the breeze during “Night Speaks to a Woman.”
The second set opened with one of the funkiest recent TAB songs, “In Rounds,” another groove Ray Paczkoswki can dig in on his clavinet. The late Tony Markellis‘ infamous groove to “Sand” kept his spiritual funk present with the new ensemble, one that Russ Lawton told NYS Music was a staple “still in the setlist after 20 odd years.” The afrobeat to “Curlews Call” allowed new saxophonist Cochemea Gastelum to also stretch out on stage. The variety in TAB’s catalog opened up another portal during “Quantegy,” off One Man’s Trash.
Photo by Scott Harris
As a full moon graced the stage, the band gave a nod to the skies and grooving audience that “we got the moon and stars above” in “Drifting.” Fans could hear the freeway calling as Natalie Cressman and Jennifer Hartswick provided amazing backing vocals on “Traveler.” The band closed with their infamous composition of exploration, “Mr. Completely.” Depending on the room, TAB has had made balconies shake since 2002 with this jam. The lyrics “Sunday morning shadows in the shade…” fit perfectly in the encore slot at the old Yale Tennis stadium with “Ether Sunday,” followed by the always welcome “First Tube” finale.
“First Tube” was played acoustically this year as tribute to Tony Markellis in Saratoga Springs, with Oysterhead at the Peach Fest and on Summer 2021 tour with Phish. It was appropriate for him to end the evening with this staple written by the original trio, to the new cast who can take it any direction on any given night.
The freedom in this music is that although it’s composed, there is room for every member to express themselves during the blended improvisational moments. Ray Packzkowski told NYS Music, “Yea it’s actually a beautiful thing,” regarding music in the moment that can’t be recreated: The band closes out this tour at the venerable Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan October 2 and 3.
Trey Anastasio Band – Westville Music Bowl, New Haven, CT – September 19, 2021
The life of Jerry Garcia will be celebrated on August 8 at Westville Music Bowl with “Daze Between,” presented by Rex Foundation.
Musicians including Warren Haynes and Grace Potter (alone and together), Lettuce (celebrating JGB) and Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass have all been announced as part of the music event, with more special guests yet to be announced.
August 1-9 is known among Grateful Dead fans as “The Days Between,” named for the Dead song of the same name. On August 1, 1942, Jerry Garcia was born, and on August 9, 1995, he passed away peacefully in his sleep. These days mark hallowed time for Deadheads of all ages, with music celebrations continually in order to celebrate the life of the influential musician and icon, Jerry Garcia.
For tickets and more info about Daze Between click here.
The Rex Foundation’s schedule for Daze Between 2021
Thursday, July 29th – Jerry Day at Fenway Park in Boston, MA: Boston Red Sox vs Toronto BlueJays; Lureto – Everywhere: The Dead Sessions EP Release Party at the Charleston Pour House in Charleston, SC (live show) Friday, July 30th – Melvin Seals & JGB with Roots of Creation at The Range in Mason, NH (live show), The Garcia Project at The Narrows in Fall River, MA; Terrapin Flyer at Headliners in Louisville, KY (live show) Saturday, July 31th – Melvin Seals & JGB with Roots of Creation at The Range in Mason, NH (live show); The Garcia Project at FTC in Fairfield, CT; Sunday, August 1st – Jerry Birthday Celebration ft. Peter Rowan, Bill Nershi, Ross James, and more at Cervantes in Denver, Colorado (live show); Songwriter Showcase w/ Vince Herman, Matt Warren, and Channing Wilson at New Standard in Winter Park, FL (live show); The Garcia Project – Jerry Birthday celebration at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, MA; Daze Between virtual auction begins – dozens of high-ticket music and Grateful Dead memorabilia with proceeds to benefit Rex Foundation Monday, August 2nd – Mikaela Davis and Southern Star Play Grateful Dead (livestream); Jerry Day at Great American Ball Park: Cincinnati Reds vs Minnesota Twins; Crazy Fingers at New Standard in Winter Park, FL (live show) Tuesday, August 3rd – Melvin Seals & JGB at The Hamilton in Washington, DC (live show) Thursday, August 5th – “The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame presents: An Odd Little Place: The Digital Work of Jerry Garcia” in Cleveland, OH (private gallery opening); The Garcia Project at the Chance Theatre in Poughkeepsie, NY (live show); Friday, August 6th – The Days Between Festival ft. Dark Star Orchestra in Laytonville, CA (live show); Everyone’s Dead ft. Matt Butler, Steve Kimock, Marc Brownstein, and more at Ardmore Music Hall in Philadelphia, PA (live show); Splintered Sunlight at the Hamilton in Washington, DC (live show); The Garcia Project at the Recher Theatre in Towson, MD (live show); An Evening with Dead Floyd live at the Mishawaka Amphitheater in Bellvue, CO (live show); Walking In The Sky (Papa Mali, Matt Hubbard, Reed Mathis, and Wally Ingram) at New Standard in Winter Park, FL (live show); Pure Jerry at Milo in Philadelphia, PA (live show)”The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame presents: An Odd Little Place: The Digital Works of Jerry Garcia” in Cleveland, OH opens to the public Saturday, August 7th – Cris Jacobs and Larry Keel Experience at BChord Brewing in Round Hill, VA (live show); Jerry Garcia 79th Birthday Celebration ft. members of Los Colognes, Futurebirds, and more at the Basement East in Nashville, TN (live show); The Garcia Project at the Hamilton in Washington, DC (live show) Sunday, August 8th – Daze Between ft. Warren Haynes, Grace Potter, Lettuce, Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass and more at the Westville Bowl in New Haven, CT (live show); Cris Jacobs and Larry Keel Experience at BChord Brewing in Round Hill, VA (live show); Melvin Seals & JGB at the Caverns in Pelham, TN (live show) Monday, August 9th – Rex Foundation Grand Finale (livestream); The Garcia Project at the Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, NY (live show) Tuesday August 10th – MLB Jerry Day – San Francisco Giants vs. Diamondbacks
On Saturday, June 26, 2021, it was game/set/match with Eggy and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong at Westville Music Bowl.
Eggy came to play, dressed as tennis players who jogged a lap around the floor of the Bowl. Once onstage, the group ripped off their breakaway pants as seen below. For a band from New Haven, this was a huge show for them, especially since Dani Battat (keys/vocals) was brought to Westville to watch tennis matches as a kid,
Pigeons continued their hot streak of live performances, closing their first set with Springsteenâs “Born to Run” inside of “King Kong.” Guitarist and Connecticut local Tim Palmieri joined the band in the second set for a cover of Hendrix’ “Fire.”
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Setlist
Set 1: Henrietta > Lost In Line, Somethinâ For Ya > Time To Ride, Sorcerer, Poseidon, Sail On, King Kong > Born To Run > King Kong Set 2: In The Bubble, Lowdown, Ocean Flows, Sunny Day, Fire*, Kiwi > Burning Up My Time Encore: Offshoot * w/ Tim Palmieri (Kung Fu , soon to be Lotus) on guitar
On June 12 and 13, at the new Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT, Goose presented two unique anthologies, juxtaposed just so. The raw, epic intensity of the first night enabled the spirit of shenanigans and invoked a welcomed fugue where we forget about the factory and fiction became reality. Fortunately, Capt. John O’Hagan was not the one asking, “What happens to the next guy who says “Shenanigans?””
Frankie Bosco inviting shenanigans
The Venue
The Westville Music Bowl felt like home. There was an air of recognition that was difficult to place. The access, the reasonably tight security providing a sense of shelter, and most importantly, there was not a bad seat in the house to be found. Upon reaching the ticketing area, it all made sense. The show was put on by the Twilight company, best known for making sanctuary happen at the beloved, now defunct, South Farms in Morris, CT.
Bunny interpreting an echo of a rose
It was comforting to discover people hanging out behind the bowl for a pre-show jam session and socializing. Alien it felt, but glorious it was – violin, familiar faces and the occasional shenanigans involving small sloths and remote control cars.
Jon “Coach” Lombardi giving his blessing as the show begins
Saturday: “Greg Knight’s Quest for the Holy Jam”
On Saturday, the Goose army assembled and became fully aligned. Tony Vasile, longtime fan, commented, “In Goose country, the long haulers would be more likely to ditch their family Thanksgiving celebration before missing out on this.” The band communicated endless gratitude through their commitment to a flawless execution of the curated evening of music.
Love in the air for royal Goose court minstrel DJ Doey Joey.
As the night progressed and sequined clothing glistened under Andrew Goedde’s superb lights, the crowd appeared to become more cohesive.
Franz Petit Lupen wearing all of this gold
People were chatting on the bathroom line. Jenny Ruthie Pearlman theorized, “People were running into each other for the first time. There had been friendships cultivating over the internet and it was hard to figure out who someone was when our faces were covered. There were songs I loved that came on, but what was more beautiful was that I could think of all the people that were excited not because it was their favorite song too, but because they knew I loved it.”
Man of the hour, Greg Knight catching up with pal Little Baby Crepes
The Battle
Just as we were together in the throes of battle with the elusive pauses during “Earthling of Alien?,”things were getting desperate. Spirits were dwindling in the “Madhuvan”forest.
The army was beginning to doubt their planetary origins when suddenly a Knight by the name of Greg Knight appeared to contribute some reality through his flawless rapped verses. The battle was over and we were rewarded with a sought after and rare “Factory Fiction.”Greg’s last appearance with the band was a year ago during Bingo Tour, which happens to also be the last time we heard “Factory Fiction.” Were they related? I don’t know…
Shenanigans colors tastefully woven in by Andrew Goedde
The first night’s encore finished what they started the night before. After getting the PA cut during the encore of “So Ready” the night before, it was only fitting to start exactly where they left off in New Haven.
“So Ready” music video
But Make It Fashion
The anthology of Goose tales continued with a segue that could not have been more clever. Closing with a tune from their animated music video for “So Ready” was the perfect setup for the capsule-style show similar to the themes they have done with movie soundtracks on Halloween.
Shenanigans Trailer and fashion inspiration
The band showed up on stage wearing their respective outfits and opened with the “Trailer Jam” from their wildly cinematic video announcement for the album Shenanigans Nite Club. Goose and its incredible crew worked so hard over the past few years. Nothing could signify a moment worthy of celebration then a home show “flodown” party than the outfits (and very importantly, the hair) worn by the characters each band member played.
Frankie Bosco relishing
Shenanigans Under The Stars
Sunday kicked off with an upbeat, bubbly energy that was completely reversed, yet somehow, with essence of yin and yang, the band made thoughtful selections to perhaps assist our future long term memories of the weekend to seem as if they were one night. For example, we had a knight for both shows, but this time it was the cover “Knights in White Satin.“
Kevin hamming
Many bands created communities within their following, but Goose created a safe, supportive space for exploration of our own metaphysical dark forest in order to understand which turn might be next in the labyrinth. A fanbase full of artisans, creatives, and empaths. A healthy dose of unquestioned, unchallenged quirk made for a remarkable time for connection during the come up of Goose, especially during shutdown.
Tony Vasile and Orion Jewelry Design’s Val Walis have attended all but two Goose shows this season.
When artisans would post something they made to one of the many Goose Facebook groups, things would not only sell immediately, but the overwhelming support would have been hard to find in any other social group, pandemic or not. Some found even more down this electric avenue.
The elusive Lloyd 2.0
The mood progressed into actually feeling exactly like Thanksgiving dinner. Val Walis commented that “it was a feast of music and so many favorite people everywhere. There was hardly enough time to have a conversation with anyone, but the voltage level of emotion we were all feeling at the same moment did not need words.”
(dawn) Of A New Era
Both sets on Sunday felt like a victory lap of sorts. The aged and trusty jam vehicles like “All I Need” and mustache anthem “Mustang Sally” helped usher in the dawn of a new era for Goose to creep out somewhere along the line with the live debut of “SOS” and its accompanying jam-hymnal (dawn).
Same old shenanigans for Phil Paquet, Mr. McGoose 2.0 and Little Baby Crepes
From the ashes of solitude, we were able to give ourselves permission to go everywhere, see everyone and feel everything. Admirals like Greg Knight kept more in line than we could imagine.
Commander in Scarf Marc Komito basking in the “(dawn)”
The crowd could not have been more friendly. The amount of smiles might almost parallel the amount of scarves on peoples heads used as dance props. There were scarves everywhere!
Marc Komito (aka Scarf Guy) is perpetually the fearless (and fashionable) leader we all needed. He has taught to so many the responsibility we have to relish in these rare, perfect moments. By expressing our gratitude with individuality and without apology, balance is found. For some, it might have looked like giving Mike, from Spafford and JamBandWorkout, a run for his money. For those that prefer to turn inward, simply sitting still and watching with full attention could have been an equally respectful avenue.
Terry Alfredo in the new light
We as a community, felt the light of dawn creeping out while enjoying great music, and hopefully the band and its rock solid crew felt the little bit of ourselves that we tried to send up. Goose got us through it and Coach only knows what might happen as the days get brighter.
Setlist June 12: Me and My Uncle (John Phillips), Flodown, The Whales, Honeybee, Yeti, Seekers on the Ridge Pt., Seekers on the Ridge Pt. 2, Madhuvan>Fish in the Sea (Fat Freddyâs Drop), Jive I, Earthling or Alien?, Tumble > Factory Fiction
Encore: Slow Ready
Setlist June 13: Shenanigans Jam > All I Need > Indian River >Time To Flee > Your Ocean, So Ready >Arrow > Nights In White Satin (Moody Blues), Rosewood Heart > Bob Don > SOS > (dawn)
Encore: Mustang Sally > Butter Rum
It has been rumored that Frankie Bosco gained some kind of super shredding power when he is wearing bracelets from Orion Jewelry Design, made by my sister Val. If you would like to support her (and Little Baby Crepes,) check out https://orionjewelrydesign.com/
Frankie Bosco’s wrist adorned with Orion Jewelry Design Bracelets
Pink strat or bracelet? I don’t know, but it can’t hurt to support your local Goose Chick Val Walis and her jewelry business https://orionjewelrydesign.com/
Want to get in shape for scarf season? Check out this workout featuring a killer version of what some have affectionately nicknamed “Lookout Clav-land”
Curious what all the hype is about with Factory Fiction? Check out this similar, yet different version from the historical Bingo Tour
Fresh off a triumphant three-night headlining run at the world-renowned Red Rocks Amphitheatre the previous weekend, Philadelphia’s own Disco Biscuits took to the court at the new Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT.
Over June 4-5, an instant classic run took flight, with the venue making the best of the end of COVID-19 restrictions and raising the bar for outdoor venues everywhere.
The former tennis stadium that had seen the likes of tennis legends such as Andre Agassi and Martina Navratilova perform at historic levels seemed primed for a special weekend of the improvisational, electronic-rock hybrid, nicknamed “Trancefusion,” that the band invented back on Halloween night 1997 when keyboardist Aron Magner introduced his Roland JP-8000 synthesizer. This one piece of hardware threw the rulebook out the window. Old and new fans embraced and smiled everywhere as the band sauntered out onto the stage for the beginning of what will surely be a signpost of this wonderful post-COVID iteration of the band.
While everything felt new and refreshed, the connection between the band might be the very best that we know in the jamband scene (one cannot imagine how many in attendance had seen well over 100 concerts – when I say obsession I mean it). This was made increasingly evident by the fact that the set list for the evening had been co-written by two fans along with bassist Marc Brownstein. The opening “Safety Dance,” a Men Without Hats cover that has become a staple of the Biscuits’ live experience got everyone dancing right from the start.
As the first improvisation of the weekend coalesced, the slinky funk riffs of “Mr. Don” sprang from guitarist Jon Barber and already everyone in attendance was out of control with delight. The jam after the lyrical portion of “Don” started to slow in pace as the opening notes of “Rocket Science,” a newer Barber original instrumental created a long volley between band and crowd, a give-and-take of energy so crucial to the live experience and so missed over the last 18 months.
With a slick little change the band locked into the fan-favorite of “Aceetobee,” which with its message of newfound freedom rang much more true than any time this writer can remember. The juxtaposition of the jazzy, darker key of “Aceetobee” and the pure 1977 disco vibe of the Giorgio Moroder/Donna Summer classic “I Feel Love” was brilliant and worked as a nice way to tap into the glorious vein of tennis puns permeating the last few months since the show’s announcement. However, that cheery vibe was short-lived as the band had a change of plans up their sleeve and violently closed out the opening set with “Confrontation,” the climactic zenith of Brownstein’s rock opera, “Chemical War Brigade.”
After a comfortably long break in the action the band surprised the crowd with an opener of “Sister Judy’s Soul Shack,” a personal favorite that had not been played since 12/28/17. Now I know they tell you that you can’t always get what you want, but it seemed as though the entire venue was getting what it needed. This little gift was quickly forgotten for the intense jam into the Biscuits original “Helicopters;” a song close to my heart as it was played at my very first show 21 years ago a few miles down the road at another classic New Haven venue, Toad’s Place.
The band, keeping everyone on their feet, segued out of “Helicopters” into a massive, metal-styled intro to the maniacal tune “Munchkin Invasion” – the crowd erupted with delight. This segment of “Helicopters-> Munchkin-> Helicopters-> Munchkin” will surely be held high as a highlight of this magnificent run in the Elm City and explored the creative genius of keyboardist Aron Magner and drummer Allen Aucoin. With so many changes in both tempo and texture, this doubles team made it look easy.
As the set came to a close Jon Barber showed everyone why the return of “Sister Judy’s” was so special earlier as he shredded the ending and brought the crowd to ecstatic heights. A quick but happy run-through of the Brownstein tune “Naeba,” only its second encore appearance since being debuted back in ’09, sent the crowd out to chaotically search for Ubers and Lyfts with smiles on their faces – advantage, Disco Biscuits.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whyagg28Djc
Saturday brought beautiful sun, slightly aggressive heat, but much less humidity – a perfect Connecticut day to enjoy the sights and sounds of the City while trying to consume as much a pizza from Sally’s, Pepe’s, Bar, and Modern as humanly possible (what can I say, I like the pie in New Haven). The party got started with “7-11” and never looked back. As the crowd settled into the stadium the band settled into a fierce jam that truly expressed the joy and elation painted across everyone’s face.
After such a whirlwind performance the night before it felt as though the atmosphere was super patient and had a delightfully old school vibe, nothing was out tonight, we were all just happy to be ‘relaxin’ with the Disco Biscuits once again. Slowly, like an old friend’s voice you hadn’t heard in years, the opening notes to another 1995 Biscuits original “Pat & Dex” reared its head for only the second time since late 2015 (last time played was 5/26/18) and the song never sounded so nice. Maybe this song has a brand new mission and this won’t be the last we hear of it this year, one can only hope.
Once the three-part jazz odyssey was finished the band took a much-welcomed break as fans could not contain their excitement anymore and let the four guys from Philadelphia know that the band they put together was serving up aces that some more pessimistic fans might not have thought possible after such a long layoff – the band had kept itself busy during COVID closures though and it showed. The Frank Zappa classic “Pygmy Twylyte” got the crowd right back into it as the venue security, who were amazing all weekend, desperately tried to stay the ever-vigilant line judges in the pit – but the emotions were just too high.
The jam out of the Zappa cover shape-shifted yet again, the guttural, repetitive bass line to the newer Barber instrumental “4th of July” gave the crowd a little bit of a respite before careening off into the ether itself in swirling synths delivered by Aron Magner – the guy is a mad scientist of melody and has more hooks than a New England fisherman. The patience was evident once again as Jon Barber waited just to the very last second of a beat to introduce the song “The Great Abyss,” an Aron Magner creation debuted once Allen Aucoin had taken his seat as Biscuit drummer previously filled by Dr. Samuel Altman. Barber’s two-note hook, affectionately named the “Beep Boops” by the crowd, was delivered perfectly on time and might be the smoothest segue I have heard in years. While short, the song propelled the Biscuits past all competition once again and found its denouement in the ridiculously well written Biscuit classic “Story of the World.” The energy in the stadium once again peaked and proved once this band just gets setlist development better than almost any other band I’ve seen outside of the Grateful Dead.
The final set of this instant classic run at the Westville Music Bowl began with “Strobelights & Martinis,” an instrumental harvested from a segment of improvisation the band first performed on September 1, 2001 in the famous New York underground venue The Wetlands Preserve. On Saturday, “Strobelights” served as the perfect opener to one of my favorite sets of music I’ve seen live from this band in over 200 shows.
The jam was instantly ratcheted up by drummer and rumored robot Allen Aucoin, the guy is a machine – do yourselves a solid and take a few moments every jam to listen to exactly what is happening behind that kit and thank me later. As the main theme to the ascending action of the song “Above the Waves” crested the crowd and the band found each other in the midst of one of the more interesting techniques of setlist magic the Biscuits have ever introduced to the music world – an inversion. An “inverted” version of a song occurs when the band jams from one song into the middle or end of another song (depending on the number of parts in said song).
Once that newly introduced song ends, the band slides back into its beginning without missing a beat – it’s something they have been doing since 1999 and a hallmark of their unique vision of the future of music. The peak of this “Waves” was skull-crushing and I am convinced that the Westville Music Bowl left the ground, ala the Hampton Coliseum’s nifty little trick down in Hampton, VA. This was Bisco, a term coined early on in the band’s tenure to explain the ineffable quality of their music to cleanse one’s soul and wash away the stresses of normal life even if only briefly; it’s what makes fans come back time and time again.
After the lyrical section of “Waves” was done (the only song with lyrics of the entire set) the jam took flight and once again Magner constructed a multilayered behemoth that ominously found itself toying with the penultimate jam song in the band’s catalog “Basis for a Day.” With its barbaric yawp of “lyrics,” the band and audience bellowed into the heavens and released so much pent-up energy that many were left stone still and gaping in disbelief at the level of intensity the evening had reached. The Tractorbeam jam, a dizzying use of samples and Ableton Live the band has been introducing in different ways, was vibrating the soul of everyone there. It’s better heard than explained.
With a sly return to the set opening “Strobelights” and an elated coda of “Basis,” the band closed what is going to be a fan favorite weekend for years to come. The whole deal was sealed with a note-perfect rendition of another new Barber instrumental named “Station” (perfectly suited as an encore) and a slide into the ending of the show opening “7-11.”
They say one should always leave them wanting more, but for Biscuit fans there is never enough – never enough.
This summer, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) performs monthly at Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT. With shows from Memorial Day weekend through September 4, there are ample opportunities to see the fantastic reimaging of the extended Grateful Dead catalog, along with a heavy dose of improvisation.
Revisit the shows below with photos by Vince Brazen, video from the band, and the detailed setlists for each night.
JRAD at Westville Music Bowl – September 4, 2021 Setlist
Set 1: Don’t Ease Me In*> Cats Down Under the Stars w/ Norwegian Wood and Throwing Stones teases> Tell Me, Momma w/ Jessica tease> Mama Tried, Candyman, Jam w/ The Other One tease> Truckin’ w/ The Other One teases and New Speedway teases
Set 2: Feel Like A Stranger> Help on the Way> Throwing Stones w/ Shakedown teases> Shakedown Street W/ throwing Stones teases> Throwing Stones reprise w/ Land Down Under and Shakedown teases, Comfortably Numb> Morning Dew**
Joe thanks the crowd, tells them we all need live music! Dave Niedbalski from Westville Music Bowl/Lovely Day Presents thanks everyone, said it was the best 9 nights of the summer! Then they unveiled a banner from the upper deck commemorating the 9 show residency.
Encore: One More Saturday Night***>Sugar Magnolia
*First since 3/3/19, 5th time played by JRAD **First time played since 9/13/19 ***First time played since 9/14/19
JRAD continued their no repeat streak in their Westville Bowl residency from July 30-August 1. Amid perfect weather all weekend, a nice change of pace from their two previous runs this summer. The partial capacity crowd (~3,000) at Westville had more seating on the floor this weekend, making it feel a little more crowded, but still short of 50% capacity at the tennis stadium.
Saturday’s show had a jam of Pink Floyd’s “Pigs” during “Birdsong,” bassist Dave Dreiwitz singing “Broken Arrow”, and a monster “Terrapin Station” suite to end the second set. The venue erupted during “Sugar Magnolia,” marking 16 sets of no repeat Grateful Dead covers.
JRAD at Westville Music Bowl – July 31, 2021 Setlist
Set 1: Stagger Lee > Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again* > West L.A. Fadeaway^ > Unbroken Chain jam > West L.A. Fadeaway > I Need A Miracle@ > Birdsong > Pink Floyd Pigs (Three Different Ones) jam > Birdsong Set 2: Broken Arrow > Throwing Stones$ > Ship of Fools > Dark Star > Terrapin Station (full suite) Encore: Sugar Magnolia
*w/ Big Boss Man and Eleanor Rigby teases ^ w/ Uncle John’s Band, Let It Grow and “Your Party” (Ween) teases @ w/ vocal jam and Dark Star teases $ w/ 2001 teases and Phishy Duo jam
On Friday, “Jack Straw” > “Wharf Rat” > “King Solomon’s Marbles” closed a strong first set, and they returned with no let up for set two, with a stellar stretch of “Althea” > “Lost Sailor” > “Saint of Circumstance,” and an acoustic “China Doll” as well, featuring Eric Johnson of Fruit Bats taking lead.
JRAD at Westville Music Bowl – July 30, 2021 Setlist
Set One: Jam -> Friend Of The Devil -> Jack A Roe, Jam -> Black Throated Wind @ -> Jack Straw > Wharf Rat # -> King Solomon’s Marbles Set Two: MB Solo -> Yazoo St Scandal $ -> Jam % -> Golden Road To Unlimited Devotion, Althea > Lost Sailor ^ > Saint Of Circumstance &, China Doll *+, Box Of Rain * Encore: Never Been To Spain *, When You Love Somebody * @@
@ – With a Jack Straw Jam – With Dark Star Teases (TH) $ – With Tennessee Jed Teases (Band) % – With “Maze” (Phish) Teases (Band) ^ – With Let It Grow & Playing In the Band Teases (JR) & – With Terrapin Station Teases (MB & TH) and a “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” (Four Tops/Holland-Dozier-Holland) Tease (DD) With Eric D. Johnson (Fruit Bats) on Acoustic Guitar and Vocals Not Played by Almost Dead since 2017-10-13, Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY, a gap of 101 shows @@ – Fruit Bats Cover, Not Played by Almost Dead since 2019-08-16, Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, a gap of 25 shows
Six shows into their run at Westville Music Bowl and JRAD has still not repeated a song. More than 70 songs have been performed since their Memorial Day weekend run, meaning that perhaps, when JRAD returns to Westville July 30-31, they may still continue this streak. To start the night, a 5-piece brass band walked through the crowd towards the stage. Many of them sat in throughout the course of the show, which had four The Band covers, with violinist Katie Jacoby sat in on “Rag Mama Rag.”
JRAD at Westville Music Bowl – June 20, 2021 Setlist
Set 1: Iko Iko, China Cat Sunflower, Ophelia, Operator, Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?, Hard to Handle, Casey Jones
Set 2: Alabama Getaway, Feel Like a Stranger, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Good Lovin’, Let it Rock, Road Runner, Rag Mama Rag, Cats Under the Stars, C.C. Rider
Encore: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Highlights from June 19 include JRAD playing the Bob Weir solo tune “Gonesville” as well as working in a few Allman Brothers tunes. “Whipping Post” was teased during “Cumberland Blues” and in Set 2, “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” got the full band treatment.
JRAD at Westville Music Bowl – June 19, 2021 Setlist
Set 1: Jam ->They Love Each Other ->Gonesville ->Cumberland Blues @, Row Jimmy, Mr. Charlie # ->Viola Lee Blues ->Brown-Eyed Women Set 2: Jam ->Here Comes Sunshine >Uncle Johns Band, Alligator >Man Smart, Woman Smarter $, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed %, Peggy-O Encore: Brother Esau @ – With “Whipping Post” (The Allman Brothers Band) Teases (Band) # – Unfinished $ – With a “Reveille” (Traditional) Tease (SM) % – With Dark Star Teases (TH) & a JR Solo
On June 18, JRAD returned to Westville Music Bowl for their second run of the summer. With five bustouts and covers including “All Along The Watchtower” and “Atlantic City,” a sold out crowd was treated to a rare cover of Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London” to close the night.
JRAD at Westville Music Bowl – June 18, 2021 Setlist
Set 1: Jam @ ->New Speedway Boogie # ->Let It Grow, Black Muddy River >All Along The Watchtower$ > Greatest Story Ever Told % -> Dear Prudence Jam -> Greatest Story Ever Told Reprise ^ Set 2: Atlantic City & ->Tell Me Mama * ->Big River, Tennessee Jed +, Cryptical Envelopment @@ ->Crazy Fingers -> The Other One > Stella Blue Encore: Werewolves Of London ##
@ – With “Spoonful” (Willie Dixon ) Teases & Truckin’ Teases (TH) # – With a Playing In The Band Jam & Let It Grow Teases (Band) $ – Scott Vox, Not Played by Almost Dead since 2014-12-29, Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY, a gap of 212 shows % – With a “Dracula” (MMW) Tease (MB) ^ – Not Played by Almost Dead since 2018-03-17 State Theatre, Portland, ME, a gap of 74 shows & – With “China>Rider Transition” Teases (Band) * – With a “Chuckles” (Wolf) Tease (SM) + – With a Hell In A Bucket Tease (Band) and a bit of a “Becky” (Benevento Russo Duo) reference (MB & JR) @@ – Part One, With a Dark Star Jam, Not Played by Almost Dead since 2019-03-16 Masonic Auditorium, Cleveland, OH, a gap of 34 shows ## – Not Played by Almost Dead since 2019-03-01 Palace Theater, Albany, NY, a gap of 40 shows
Over three rainy nights at Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) brought music back to life and satiated sold-out crowds with their improvisational takes on the music of the Grateful Dead.
JRAD at Westville Music Bowl – May 28, 2021 Setlist
Set 1: Not Fade Away@ -> Ruben & Cherise -> New Minglewood Blues, Sugaree#, The Wheel$ ->Touch Of Grey% Set 2: When I Paint My Masterpiece^, Foolish Heart& -> Help On The Way -> Slipknot!* -> Hey Bulldog Jam+ -> Slipknot! Reprise, Hell In A Bucket, Dancing in the Street@@, Ripple## Encore: Fuckin’ Up $$ @ – With a “Serpentine Fire” (Earth Wind & Fire) tease (SM) # – Not played by Almost Dead since 2018-01-13 $ – With a “Cold Rain & Snow” Jam (Band) % – With “Ruben & Cherise” Teases in the intro (TH) ^ – Bob Dylan Cover, second time played. Not played by Almost Dead since 2016-11-12 & – With Slipknot! Teases (TH) * – With a “Tom’s Diner” (Suzanne Vega) Tease (SM & JR) + – With some lyrics. Not played by Almost Dead since 2016-11-12 @@ – Proceeded by a Dark Star Tease, with a Loose Lucy Tease (SM), a DD Solo, an MB Solo, hints of “The Wizard” (Black Sabbath), and a JR Solo ## – Not played by Almost Dead since 2019-01-18 $$ – Neil Young Cover, with Chris Harford on Vocals and Guitar
JRAD at Westville Music Bowl – May 29, 2021 Setlist
Set 1: Silvio ->Bertha, Me & My Uncle ->Shakedown Street@, Black Peter# >Music Never Stopped Set 2: Such A Night, Cream Puff War >Truckin$ -> New Speedway Jam% -> Truckin Reprise^ ->St. Stephen& >Tough Mama > I Know You Rider Encore: On The Road Again * @ – With Let It Grow Teases (Band) # – Not played by Almost Dead since 2018-07-19 $ – With a Cryptical Tease (TH) % – Not played by Almost Dead since 2017-08-31 ^ – Not played by Almost Dead since 2018-07-19 & – With Not Fade Away and Good Times Bad Times Teases (JR) and a Caution-esque Jam * – Not played by Almost Dead since 2016-12-29
JRAD at Westville Music Bowl – May 30, 2021 Setist
Set 1: Eyes of the World> Estimated Prophet, Cassidy > Going Down the Road Feelin’ Bad > Candyman, The Eleven, Franklin’s Tower Set 2: Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain, Beat It on Down the Line, He’s Gone >Playing in the Band, Samson and Delilah Encore: Born to Run
Stuart Bogie sat in on saxophone and flute throughout the night
Socially distanced shows are returning to the Northeast, and Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT has a growing lineup well worth traveling for.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) has become the latest group to announce shows at the venue. They’ll perform on May 28, 29 and 30 as part of the venue’s “Twilight Concerts Under The Stars” series. JRAD follows The Disco Biscuits, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gov’t Mule and more who have announced shows at the venue, just a 1 hour drive from the NY border on I-95.
Additional artists slated for Westville Music Bowl include Gov’t Mule (April 30, May 1), Twiddle (May 15), The Disco Biscuits (June 4-5), Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (June 26) and Tedeschi Trucks Band (July 17). More concerts are expected to be announced.
Tickets to shows are sold in sets of 2 and 4, with a minimum of 6 feet social distance from other seats, and floor seats will be sold exclusively in sets of 4, according to the venue website.
Tickets to the JRAD New Haven shows go on sale Friday, March 26 at 12 p.m. ET. For all other tickets, as well as additional information including all health and safety protocols visit westvillemusicbowl.com.
