Photo: Dino Perrucci

Last night, the Civic Theatre in New Orleans got a supersized dose of cosmic country by way of Daniel Donato’s siege of the entertainment complex. Coming off the success of Grahame Lesh & Friends’ Busted Down on Bourbon Street concerts, Donato carried a throughline from one gig to the next, by way of Grateful Dead debuts, among other first-time covers, and a bounty of prestigious guest assistance. 

Before guests or covers emerged, the band drew out three originals: “Guilty Jubilee” and “ Luck Of The Draw” into “Sugar Leg Rag.” Then, the ground shook during a timeless cover of “Respect” with featured help from Kanika Moore (a fellow Busted Down on Bourbon Street participant), who took the vocal lead, in addition to Sean McLean on saxophone. The aforementioned friends stuck around for the band’s debut of the JGB-associated “I Second That Emotion.” 

Sans guests, the group clicked back into their original music on “Lady Justice” before shifting to a revival of The Meters’ “Cabbage Alley,” sung by George Porter Jr., another pal who was added to the night’s list of musical visitors, and remained for the set’s final piece, a first-time delivery by this host band, “Iko Iko.” 

The latter half of the event found moe.’s Al Schnier working the guitar and taking the vocal lead during “Tangled Up in Blue” and the follow-up, “Maggie’s Farm.” The next section of the concert was entirely devoted to the Dead, and featured Grahame Lesh on guitar and vocals during debuts of “St. Stephen,” “Eyes of the World,” and “Deal.” Grace Bowers showed up for the band’s first time delivering “House of the Rising Sun.”  

Ultimately, the final portion of the night included Preservation Hall trumpeter Branden Lewis. As a poignant closer, the traditional-turned Mahalia Jackson performed “Down By The Riverside,” capped the occasion. 

Following last night’s action in New Orleans, Donato’s Cosmic Country will begin their Rhythm and Sails participation tomorrow, May 2. For more information, visit danieldonato.com/tour. 

Scroll down for an overview of last night’s setlist.

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Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country 

April 30, 2026 

The Civic Theatre – New Orleans 

Set I: Guilty Jubilee Luck Of The Draw > Sugar Leg Rag Respect 1 2 I Second That Emotion (FTP) 1 2 Lady Justice Cabbage Alley 2 3 Iko Iko (FTP) 2 3

Set II: Tangled Up In Blue 4 Maggie’s Farm 2 4 St. Stephen (FTP) > 2 5 Eyes Of The World (FTP) > 2 5 St. Stephen (Reprise) > 2 5 Deal (FTP) > 2 5 St. Stephen (Reprise) 2 5 House Of The Rising Sun (FTP) 2 6 7 Walk The Streets (FTP) 2 8 Down By The Riverside 2 8

Notes:

[1] Kanika Moore On Lead Vocals (Song)

[2] Sean McLean On Saxophone (Song)

[3] George Porter Jr. On Lead Vocals And Bass (Song)

[4] Al Schnier On Guitar And Vocals (Song)

[5] Grahame Lesh On Guitar And Vocals (Song)

[6] Will McGee On Lead Vocals (Song)

[7] Grace Bowers On Guitar (Song)

[8] Branden Lewis On Lead Vocals And Trumpet (Song)