Photo: Dino Perrucci

On Tuesday evening, Grahame Lesh & Friends took the stage at The Joy Theater in New Orleans for the first in a two-night series performing Grateful Dead music. The event was billed as a nod to “Truckin’” and its Big Easy mention, which conveys the timeless line and historic truth: “Busted Down on Bourbon Street.” To that end, the ensemble of selected musicians delivered a two-set performance that showcased their verve for the Dead’s songbook. 

Tuesday’s concert featured musical contributors Daniel Donato, Oteil Burbridge, John Molo, Aron Magner, Kanika Moore, Preservation Hall horns, along with special guests Little Feat’s Bill Payne and John Kadlecik, performing under the direction of second-generation Grateful Dead steward, Grahame Lesh. 

Last night’s concert got underway with a variation of the well-known Blues for Allah suite, “Help On The Way” > “Slipknot!” Rather than add on “Franklin’s Tower,” the ensemble drew outside the lines, conjuring “The Wheel” ahead of a “Slipknot!” reprise and ensuing “Franklin’s.” On the other side of the song series, they picked up a first-time take on Garcia’s “Run for the Roses,” before proceeding into “Peggy-O.” The JGB-associated “Don’t Let Go” also served as a debut, ahead of set one’s final piece, “Jack Straw.” 

During the latter half of the event, the band returned to the stage and delivered the occasion’s namesake number, “Truckin’,” which ran into “Stella Blue.” “Playing in the Band” emerged next, and faded into a fragile “China Doll.” The final portion of frame two saw the band deliver “Scartlet Begonias” into “Wharf Rat” and “Turn on Your Love Light,” sans pause. The evening’s encore began with a message of unity on “Promised Land” before dissolving into “In The Midnight Hour.” 

Busted Down on Bourbon Street returns to The Joy Theater tonight for its second and final offering of Dead-adjacent entertainment. Tickets remain on sale and can be purchased here. 

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Grahame Lesh & Friends 

Busted Down on Bourbon Street – Night One 

The Joy Theater – New Orleans 

April 28, 2026

Set I: Help On The Way > Slipknot > The Wheel > Slipknot (Reprise) > Franklin’s Tower, Run For The Roses, Peggy-O, Don’t Let Go, Jack Straw

Set II: Truckin’ > Stella Blue, Playing In The Band > China Doll, Scarlet Begonias > Wharf Rat > Turn On Your Love Light

Enc.: Promised Land, In The Midnight Hour