Watch moe. & Daniel Donato Shred ‘Mexico’ In New York City

Much has changed since moe. last took the stage at South Street Seaport back in June 2013. The band returned to the historic district in New York City on Thursday with Daniel Donato‘s Cosmic Country in tow and brought out the guitarist for a fiery “Mexico” at The Rooftop at Pier 17 — a venue that didn’t exist until 2018.

Guitarist Al Schnier mentioned the beauty of the scenic The Rooftop at Pier 17 and how the previous time moe. was in the area they performed on cobblestones under a tent at the since-shuttered Beekman Beer Garden. moe. was clearly in fine spirits and feeling nostalgic as they delivered a stellar performance in which the newest original played dated back to 2010.

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country made the best of their limited set time by coming out early to gain a few minutes. The rooftop space featuring gorgeous views of the NYC skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge was nearly packed for Donato’s performance as the group certainly had a big role in drawing fans to Pier 17. Daniel Donato and bandmates drummer Will “Bronco” Clark, guitarist/keyboardist Nathan “Sugar Leg” Aronowitz and bassist Will “Mustang” McGee showed off their youthful exuberance over the course of a little more than an hour.

The quartet opened with covers of Merle Haggard’s “Workin’ Man Blues” and Buck Owens’ “Truck Drivin’ Man” connected by original “Arkansas Traveler.” While the set was heavy on the country they did get cosmic on the ensuing “Dance In The Desert.” The catchy “Lose Your Mind,” which like “Dance In The Desert” appears on 2023’s Reflector followed.

Clark’s rock-steady drumming was showcased on “Luck Of The Draw,” the penultimate song of the set. Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country got many fans dancing with their set-closing instrumental “Sugar Leg Rag.”

Fittingly, moe. kicked off their first performance in Manhattan since 2019 with “New York City.” Schnier then led “Understand” before Chuck Garvey proved he’s back in form following a 2021 stroke by fronting “Shoot First.” The Garvey-penned tune bled into fan-favorite instrumental “Californ IA,” one of seven songs played by moe. last night that was debuted in the 1990s.

Speaking of the ’90s, next up was a cover of Blind Melon’s “No Rain” sung by keyboardist Nate Wilson. The band then welcomed Donato on “Mexico.” The guitarist has sat in with the headliners at each show of the tour thus far and last night was the first time Daniel played a moe. song for the second time. However, the last Donato-fueled “Mexico” took place aboard Jam Cruise 20 in February.

Chuck Garvey took the initial solo in the tune about Schnier’s trip south of the border with his Cousin Dave to celebrate his 21st birthday. Nate Wilson then stepped up with requisite hints of “Jessica” before Donato uncorked one potent lick after another to bring “Mexico” to a peak.

The set rolled on with bassist Rob Derhak belting out “Haze” and Wilson guiding the band through “Can’t Find My Way Home.” moe. devoted the last half-hour of their main set to a breathtaking sequence of classics “Jazz Wank,” “Spine Of A Dog” and “Rebubula.” With time to the hard 10 p.m. curfew running short, Schnier kept his “Al.nnouncements” brief and helmed a quick run through “Gone” as the encore.

moe. and Daniel Donato continue the Best.Summer.Ever tour in upstate New York. Two nights at Wonderland Forest start this evening and then its off to Buffalo on Wednesday, July 17.