New Orleans Magic: Ivan Neville Joins Greensky Bluegrass At Tipitina’s

Greensky Bluegrass continued their spring tour in New Orleans on Thursday with a show at Tipitina’s. The jamgrass outfit was joined by hometown hero Ivan Neville for two songs towards the end of the evening’s first set.

The concert coincided with the first day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. “You know what they say, best way to start Jazz Fest is with bluegrass,” dobroist Anders Beck told the crowd in reference to the occasion.

Dumpstaphunk founder Ivan Neville came out after the fifth song of the evening, a cover of Ween’s “Exactly Where I’m At,” and sat in on keys for “Lose My Way.” Greensky Bluegrass originally released the track on their 2011 album, Handguns. Ivan Neville and Aoife O’Donovan contributed to a new version of “Lose My Way” found on XXV, an album GSBG put out last fall in celebration of their 25th Anniversary.

Ivan Neville remained on stage for “Man Smart (Woman Smarter),” a calypso song written by King Radio, which was a staple of the Grateful Dead’s live repertoire. Greensky debuted their take on the tune in 2009 and didn’t play “Man Smart (Woman Smarter)” again until a September 2024 visit to Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Four more versions were rolled out by the end of 2024, along with one additional play in 2025.

Neville’s two-song appearance last night was nearly identical in structure to his Greensky Bluegrass guest spot in November 2024. This time, the collaboration ended with “Man Smart (Woman Smarter)” instead of the similarly NOLA-fied song and Grateful Dead live favorite “Iko Iko.”

Watch pro-shot video of Greensky Bluegrass teaming up with Ivan Neville on “Lose My Way” and audience-captured footage of “Man Smart (Woman Smarter)” at Tipitina’s below:

Greensky Bluegrass delivered a second set in New Orleans focused on beloved originals, including “All Four,” “Reverend,” “Burn Them” and “Past My Prime.” The Michigan-birthed band said farewell with an encore featuring live staple “Jaywalking” and a cover of Paul Simon’s “Gumboots.”

A livestream replay of the entire Thursday night show is available via nugs. Subscribers to the service can also watch live broadcasts of Greensky Bluegrass’ concerts at The Cavern tonight, April 24 and tomorrow, April 25.

Setlist (via PT GSBG)

Set One: The Radio Blues, Born Again, Courage for the Road, Wish I Didn’t Know > Exactly Where I’m At, Lose My Way [1], Man Smart (Woman Smarter) (King Radio) [1], Worried About the Weather

Set Two: All Four > Hit Parade of Love, Reverend, What You Need, Streetlight > Burn Them, Take Cover, Past My Prime > Run or Die

Encore: Jaywalking, Gumboots

[1] – w/ Ivan Neville (keys)