There’s something timeless about the Grateful Dead that no studio recording could ever capture. The band’s legend wasn’t built on albums—it was born on stage, in the moment, where every note, every jam, and every transition existed purely in real time. The Grateful Dead Live is a celebration of that energy—where every song played is the live version. From the long, exploratory jams of “Dark Star” and “The Other One” to the transcendent grooves of “Scarlet Begonias” into “Fire on the Mountain,” the magic of the Dead has always been about what happens when the lights go down and the music takes over.
The Grateful Dead’s Eternal Legacy
The Grateful Dead—Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, and a rotating lineup of keyboardists—changed the course of American music. Their improvisational style, deeply rooted in blues, jazz, folk, and psychedelia, created a genre of its own. Every concert was a living, breathing experiment. No two shows were ever alike, and every setlist was a fresh journey.
That free-spirited energy is why their fan base, affectionately known as “Deadheads,” remains one of the most devoted in music history. Even decades after Garcia’s passing, the Dead’s music continues to thrive—not only through archival releases of legendary live shows but also through an ever-growing network of tribute bands and live collectives who keep that musical spirit alive night after night.
Tonight on The Music Plays The Band Radio Show
Tonight’s episode of The Music Plays The Band Radio Show brings that living tradition straight to the airwaves. Every week, the show dives deep into the world of Grateful Dead-inspired live music, spinning full-length jams, rare recordings, and performances from today’s most talented Grateful Dead cover bands.
From Dark Star Orchestra to Cubensis, China Cats, and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD), the lineup changes but the goal stays the same—to keep the music alive, raw, and real. This week’s broadcast features live recordings that stretch across generations of Dead-inspired bands, including recent performances that capture the improvisational fire and communal magic that defined the original Dead.
So tune in, settle back, and let the show take you there. On The Music Plays The Band, every song is live, every jam is spontaneous, and the music truly plays the band.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead: Keeping the Spirit Roaring
Among the most electrifying of the modern-day torchbearers is Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD). What began as a side project has evolved into a full-blown phenomenon. JRAD doesn’t just cover the Grateful Dead—they reinterpret the music with fearless precision and fire, pushing jams into thrilling, unpredictable territory that feels both reverent and entirely new.
After wrapping up a powerful run through the Midwest in early October, JRAD is set to take their show west for a string of highly anticipated California dates.
West Coast Tour Dates – October 2025
- Thursday, October 23: Sacramento, CA – Channel 24
- Friday, October 24: Oakland, CA – The Fox Theater
- Saturday, October 25: Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
Fans on the West Coast can expect three nights of high-voltage Dead energy, with extended jams, spontaneous segues, and the kind of musical telepathy that has made JRAD one of the most respected live acts in the jam scene.
Halloween at Hulaween
JRAD will then make their way east to Florida to perform at one of the most beloved festivals in the country—the Suwannee Hulaween Festival in Live Oak, FL.
- Friday, October 31: Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park – Live Oak, FL
Expect a wild Halloween set packed with surprises, covers, and that special mix of chaos and beauty that only JRAD can conjure. Hulaween is known for its creative atmosphere and elaborate visuals, making it the perfect setting for JRAD’s improvisational mastery.
Looking Ahead: JRAD’s 2026 Tour
The momentum doesn’t stop there. Joe Russo’s Almost Dead has officially announced an extensive 2026 tour, stretching from January through June. Among the highlights is a three-night residency at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY—a venue that holds sacred status in Deadhead history.
2026 Tour Highlights (January – June)
- Multi-night residencies at classic venues across the East Coast
- Festival appearances and special guest collaborations
- Deep cuts, rotating setlists, and surprise debuts throughout the run
This upcoming tour promises to be one of JRAD’s most ambitious yet, a full-throttle celebration of the Dead’s music reimagined through a modern lens.
The Music Never Stops
Whether it’s through a legendary live recording, a fresh performance by JRAD, or a broadcast of The Music Plays The Band Radio Show, one truth remains—the Grateful Dead’s music was never meant to fade. It was built to evolve, to stretch beyond generations, and to keep growing in the hands of the musicians who love it.
The Grateful Dead Live isn’t just a concert or a radio show—it’s an ongoing ritual. Every jam tells a story, every solo leads somewhere new, and every fan who tunes in becomes part of the experience.
So wherever you are tonight—whether you’re spinning a classic “Morning Dew” from ’77 or listening to a raging “Shakedown Street” from a modern tribute band—remember: the Grateful Dead were never just a band. They were a movement. And thanks to shows like The Music Plays The Band and artists like JRAD, that movement is alive and jamming louder than ever.
As of October 2025, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) has upcoming shows in California, Florida, and the Mid-Atlantic states for the rest of the year. The band has also announced an extensive 2026 tour, which will take them across the East Coast, South, and into Texas.
Upcoming shows in 2025
- October 23: Channel 24 – Sacramento, CA
- October 24: Fox Theater – Oakland, CA
- October 25: Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
- October 31: Suwannee Hulaween Festival – Live Oak, FL
- November 2: Suwannee Hulaween Festival – Live Oak, FL
- November 13: Penn’s Peak – Jim Thorpe, PA
- November 14: The Met Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA
- November 15: The Anthem – Washington, DC
2026 tour dates
- January 16–18: The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY (Sold Out)
- February 12: Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) – Durham, NC
- February 13: Township Auditorium – Columbia, SC
- February 14: The Eastern – Atlanta, GA
- April 30: House of Blues – Dallas, TX
- May 1: ACL Live at the Moody Theater – Austin, TX
- May 2: The Fillmore – New Orleans, LA
- May 21: Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront – Richmond, VA
- May 22: Stone Pony Summer Stage – Asbury Park, NJ
- May 23: Westville Music Bowl – New Haven, CT
- June 12: Roanoke Island Festival Park – Manteo, NC
- June 18: Cape Cod Melody Tent – Hyannis, MA
- June 19: Thompson’s Point – Portland, ME
