Photo: Dave Vann

Last night, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country returned to The Independent in San Francisco for their second and final Bay Area concert of the 2026 Winter Tour. After inviting Reed Mathis out on Wednesday night, which included Grateful Dead covers in recognition of their shared musical lineage and overlapping histories supporting Bill Kreutzmann, the four-piece was primed for another round of collaboration. During Thursday’s display the band welcomed Grahame Lesh at the end of the first set. 

Before bringing out Lesh, Donato, Nathan Aronowitz, Will Clark and Will McGee found their bearings on a borrowed song, the Jessi Colter-associated “Why You Been Gone So Long,” before brushing into their own original “Eleven Eleven.” “Lasso” ensued with Donato carrying the lead and eventually passing the torch to McGee, who took on the lyrics during “Fast and Loose.” Ahead of Lesh’s arrival, the four-piece delivered the Reflector feature “Hi-Country.”

Following the same format as the previous night, the band reserved the final song slots for guest assistance. Lesh took the stage, joining the ensemble on guitar and backing vocals during their rendition of the Workingman’s Dead centerpiece, “Cumberland Blues,” a track with songwriting credits for both Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh.

Grahame Lesh stayed for the final feature of the frame, the Jesser Fuller original and Grateful Dead live staple, “Beat It On Down the Line,” which marked the headliners’ debut performance of the song.

Notably, Donato is scheduled to cross paths with Lesh during the April 28–29 spectacle at the Joy Theater in New Orleans. Prior to their latest exchange, the pair had performed on the same stage during the opening of Garcia’s Chicago, billed as Grahame Lesh & Friends. Additional shared live music moments include collaborations with other Dead-associated artists during the May 2024 release of the Terrapin Clubhouse “Darkstarathon.” 

Also, during last year’s escape to The Bay, Donato tapped both Mathis and Lesh for a subsequent Grateful Dead tribute. Read a complete concert recap on the 2025 collaboration. The 2026 revival continues the ongoing pattern of players teaming up when sharing a location.

See photos from last night’s sit-in below. 

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Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country 

The Independent – San Francisco 

Feb. 12, 2026

Set I: Why You Been Gone So Long, Eleven Eleven, Lasso, Fast And Loose1, Hi-Country, Cumberland Blues2 3, Beat It On Down the Line (FTP)2

Set II: Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms, Running Gun > Translation, Rose In A Garden > Arkansas Traveler, About The Angels > Ghost Riders In The Sky (Instrumental), Ride On4, Cornerstone, Luck Of The Draw > Sugar Leg Rag

Enc.: Sittin’ On Top Of World

Notes:

[1] Will McGee On Lead Vocals (Song)

[2] Grahame Lesh on Guitar And Backing Vocals (Song)

[3] Lead Vocals Shared Between Daniel, Will McGee, And Nathan Aronowitz (Song)

[4] Nathan Aronowitz On Lead Vocals And Guitar (Song)