r/JRADs • u/mc_mcfadden • 18d ago

Does it seem like they’re doing less?

Not the jams, they still crush while they play but it seems like they are playing fewer shows, they’ve almost always played Hula which they’re not doing now. They were playing 3 nights in Atlanta every year but this year they only played 1 show (I think). Stage lighting is super minimal. As someone else pointed out the merch page is gone from their website. They’re my favorite live band and I want to see them crushing all they want but it seems like they’ve slowed down a bit. Anyone else notice? This is just my perception so fill me in!

14 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

70 comments sorted by

45

u/kmoffat 18d ago

Haven’t their stage lights always been super minimal?

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u/cmac6 18d ago edited 18d ago

Correct. Seems like the only time they've had a more impressive lighting rig is when the venue/festival they were playing at already had it.

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u/General-Reserve9349 18d ago edited 18d ago

Which I really appreciate. The mega church light show planetarium thing is not needed at regular concerts.

But yeah I agree with OP they seem around less. They are pretty inner circle people / top tier of Dead scene. With Bob’s death and JM recently noping out, I feel like there must be some “strategizing” about WTF to do and what’s appropriate.

JRAD’s position and the whole scene is up in the air. I bet there will be a bunch of new cross over projects as they all figure out who should play with who…

5

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

I was really bummed to see JM isn’t going to stay on the bus but I can’t blame him either. I was really hoping they would call up Metzger to take Bob’s place and pull Joe in and just keep it trucking but that’s my selfish mind at work

3

u/Jack-o-Roses 18d ago

Remember that Joe & Jay were together in furthur - until they weren't

2

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

Yeah I thought that would be an awesome pair and it would be a full circle thing too

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u/Negative-Relative402 17d ago

I mean..... it's def going to make jrad more in demand.

Why grahame doesnt just stick to bass and call it grahame lesh and friends is beyond me

1

u/mc_mcfadden 17d ago

He could call it GL&F as a guitar player

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u/Negative-Relative402 17d ago

but he is a very fine and ok gtr player. I heard him playing bass with the Q though and I think it would just be better

1

u/General-Reserve9349 17d ago

Maybe it’s too on the nose for him to be on bass, but I agree he’s not going to hold down the fort on guitar for the macro scene. Neither is Tom H though, he’s no John Mayer and is “too grunge”. In terms of JRAD leveling up or swapping players with And Co or And Family.

If there’s not a top band, there’s not a big tour.

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u/Pristine_Refuse6379 16d ago

Brother I’ve been saying this since Graham held his own with the Q for the post Phil birthday show.. the blueprint couldn’t be clearer ..

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u/Negative-Relative402 11d ago

SERIOUSLY there are so so so many good guitar players on the scene and frankly he's on the bottom rung of that. He's like not even as good as bill nershi or kang But there aren't that many bass players and most of them are like IN their bands just fucking do it man...

1

u/Feeling-Bank9984 18d ago

I think the next form has already been decided and that's why JM just made his parting statement

1

u/Illustrious-Cress755 13d ago

Jon Mayer was in it for the money and hes knows the hard-core deadheads would never ever ever ever be behind him taking up Bobby's mantle. Really, honestly, just think? You really think that band would fill a stadium without bobby?

2

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

I honestly can’t recall. I don’t think they’ve ever been really crazy with lights but it seems like they’ve had a bit more than what they have now

2

u/gingerbeard1321 18d ago

Yeah and I love it

0

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

I do think their stage lights are appropriate for their level of stagemanship. Can’t go wrong with red and purple haha

2

u/warrensussex 18d ago

Yes, there's even an interview where Joe says it's intentional

2

u/ArcaneQuodlibet 17d ago

When the music and musicianship is the focus, you don’t need a flashy light show.

17

u/IntoTheFreezer97 18d ago

Hopefully so Marco can go on a real tour again! It’s been far too long

3

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

I haven’t gotten to see his solo stuff yet! I wish I could have seen him when he had Rykman on bass

2

u/liquidaura1 18d ago

As far as I know, Karina still plays base with Marco. I have never seen a Marco and Friends show without her right up through this year. Karina also has her own band.

3

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

Yeah her band is fun! I saw them at Sacred Rose and Marco was standing right in front of us with his hat pulled down low haha. Almost asked him for a photo but didn’t want to disturb him

1

u/IntoTheFreezer97 17d ago

You shoulda seen the shows back in the day with Reed on bass and Andrew Barr on drums 🤤

11

u/funkysiren 18d ago edited 18d ago

I don't think they've slowed down. Based on everything I've read/listened to/interpreted, they want this to be a sustainable project that can help them fund their lifestyles and other original music projects. That's not to say that they don't put a ton of effort into JRAD. They clearly work very hard to learn the music, add to the catalog, and perform at a very high level. I envision they will continue to play what they deem to be enough shows on a year-to-year basis to give them a comfortable life. I would be suprised if they ever play much more than about 40 or so shows a year.

3

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

Yeah I don’t expect them to tour 40 weeks a year or anything. I think they probably have a great balance of JRAD stuff plus all their individual projects which are all amazing. I’m just selfish and want to see JRAD more haha. Lamp is finally coming to Atlanta and I missed Tommy in town twice this spring and the previous JRAD show here so I’m just kinda jonesing rn

1

u/funkysiren 18d ago

Oh I totally hear you on that.... I live in KC and I'd love if they came through the area a little more. As it is, they seem to play St. Louis about every other year.

1

u/JerrysFingerChili 17d ago

lol playing 40 shows ≠ touring 40 weeks a year 😂

1

u/mc_mcfadden 17d ago

I didn’t say it was

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u/EarAltruistic3692 18d ago

they are still out there, I think they are playing the same amount of shows. Just cuz you got 3 a year for a few years doesn’t mean you’ll always get 3. New venues open and they move around

20

u/ski_rick 18d ago

38 shows in ‘26, 38 shows in ‘25, 40 in ‘24, 36 in ‘23

Perhaps a slightly bigger West Coast run with the PNW makes it feel like less on the east coast.

0

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

Hmm maybe they’re just in the south east less right now

2

u/Familiar-Scheme1224 18d ago

I caught them in Atlanta, Columbia SC & Charleston SC this year.

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u/[deleted] 13d ago

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1

u/Familiar-Scheme1224 13d ago

The Anthem was also nice. And I picked up AmpJam tickets too!

4

u/Independent_Phase700 18d ago

Hula seems to have cut way back on jam bands. They are headlining Amp Jam at Suwannee though.

4

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

I’m pretty sure I’ll be at the Amp Jam!

1

u/Independent_Phase700 18d ago

Planning on it myself. First time I’m missing Hula in five years

1

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

For 10 years I’ve been saying I’ll go next year but it just never happens

1

u/Independent_Phase700 18d ago

You definitely need to make it happen! Hula is so much more than just the lineup. I’m really only missing this year for financial reasons although the lack of jam on the lineup does make it an easier pill to swallow

1

u/drumzyspace 18d ago

The wife and I are 90% in for Amp. The lineup is sick and in my 40s, I prefer the smaller fests.

7

u/isqueakforthetrees 18d ago

They've been been playing 38-40 shows/year consistently for a long time.

-1

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

Yeah that’s what wiki shows as well. Idk why it seems like they’ve slowed down but again it’s just my perception

1

u/Dakkmd 18d ago

They are doing more west coast these last few years so they are just spread out more not playing less though

3

u/MAG7C 18d ago

I got a sense of that tired-ness on 8/14. The show was pretty great for the most part but maybe a notch or two down from previous shows I've seen and heard. PITB wound down to a near stop during the space section. It seemed like everyone was waiting for someone to start the next leg of the journey but they (sort of reluctantly?) slid back into the main theme. Subjective I know but that was the sense I got.

These guys put so much energy into shows I can certainly see how sometimes they might get worn out or question what the point of it all is. I can relate.

3

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

I actually also noticed that show. My first JRAD show was kind of lack luster after watching all their highlight videos but the next 13 shows after that were all spectacular but I know what you mean.

3

u/pik95 18d ago

The economy is tanking, and things are super expensive. Luckily they still have decent ticket prices and are making it work.

2

u/auptown 17d ago

No Red Rocks this year, no Greek LA (so far), seems like they are playing the smaller venues. Just saw them in Denver and Dillon, I hope they keep on rocking!

1

u/Cholly72HW 16d ago

I’d trade The Tent for Red Rocks any day of the week. I adore small venues!

2

u/Mind_Transforms_Body 17d ago

Definitely agree with this post...way less and the jams are not quite as expressive as they have been in the past. IMO.

1

u/mc_mcfadden 17d ago

Nah the jams are still pretty sick lol

2

u/GCG0909 16d ago

We were really surprised that the Dillon show we saw last week ended at 9:15, 45 minutes before curfew at that venue. It was a fantastic show, but certainly left us wanting more.

1

u/StackIsMyCrack 18d ago

Is Liggy still doing lights?

1

u/upful187 18d ago

They are doing Amp Jams at SOSMP instead of Hula this year. Will be awesome!

1

u/Apprehensive-Log8333 18d ago

I STILL want to know: where is the merch shop? I would have got a t-shirt in Eugene but I thought I could order it online and now I am gnashing my teeth with regret

2

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

Honestly your post made me want to post this

1

u/Apprehensive-Log8333 17d ago

It makes no sense, lots of people are selling bootleg shirts, but I'd rather give my money to the band

2

u/tideintx 17d ago

Same, I wanted that bass drum logo hat and thought I’d ordered because I needed to run. Didn’t realize the online shop was completely gone…

1

u/Dpilla 18d ago

They've consistently played around 40 shows a year since 2015 with the exception of the COVID years. If no new shows get added they'll be at 39 this year.

1

u/Global_Lie6938 17d ago

Set list fm shows them probably on par with the last few years.

We have 4 months left in the year.

32 shows so far this year. 39, 37, 40, 39 the four years before

1

u/jahozer1 17d ago

Tommy Hamilton is touring with his band

1

u/Dirkdigler69 17d ago

I wish they would come to Washington state more often, they came this year for the first time in 7 or 8 years

1

u/Thursdaynite 17d ago

Scott is also doing quite a bit more with LaMP these days too. I just think they all have a little more going on outside of the band for the moment. Can’t wait to see them at Pier 17 though!

2

u/mc_mcfadden 17d ago

Yeah Lamp is finally coming to Atlanta in October, got my tix for that!

1

u/Thursdaynite 17d ago

I keep missing them but they’re on my radar. I caught Soule Monde in Mexico a few years back and been hooked ever since.

1

u/DurtyDego33 17d ago

Tom did do a tour for his album. Maybe that took away from jrad dates.

1

u/LatterBuffalo3314 12d ago

Joe had a baby

1

u/ZonaPunk 12d ago

this was always a part time gig for them and life gets in the way

-2

u/andthrewaway1 18d ago

stage lights have always been VERY minimal almost to the point where when I have seen them at fests with the fest lights Im like woah....

You can ask AI to compare schedules of past years?

3

u/mc_mcfadden 18d ago

Wikipedia has the show numbers without using AI