Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes & Oteil Burbridge Link Up With The Meters

The Meters reunited over the past two weekends for special shows in their hometown of New Orleans. The legendary funk band welcomed an impressive array of special guests for the finale on Saturday at the Saenger Theatre: Cyril Neville, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Oteil Burbridge and Susan Tedeschi.

The shows held on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, May 2 marked the first Meters concerts since the passing of founding keyboardist Art Neville in 2019. Dumpstaphunk keyboardist Ivan Neville stood in for his uncle, joining surviving original members bassist George Porter Jr., drummer Zigaboo Modeliste and guitarist Leo Nocentelli.

Additionally, a three-piece horn section consisting of saxophonist Jason Mingledorff, trumpeter Ashlin Parker and trombonist Alex Wasily helped fill the stage, along with vocalists Elise Testone, Earl Smith, Phillip Manuel and Pesuky Nocentelli.

A special ceremony was held at the beginning of the Saturday night show as the original members stood with Arthel Neville, Art’s daughter, while officials from the mayor’s office proclaimed May 2 to be “Meters Day” in New Orleans. The Meters then launched into a one-two punch of perhaps their best-known songs, “Fire On The Bayou” and “Cissy Strut,” to get the concert underway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7opvozRXKwA

After performances of “Look-Ka Py Py,” “People Say” and “Mister Moon,” Cyril Neville came out to guide the band through “Be My Lady” and “Can You Do Without?” The percussionist and vocalist is Art Neville’s younger brother and was a member of The Meters for a stretch in the ’70s. Performances of “Can You Do Without?” and “(Doodle Loop) The World Is A Little Bit Under The Weather” followed sans guests.

Former Dead & Company and Allman Brothers bassist Oteil Burbridge then came out to lend a hand on “Hey Pocky A-Way.” Burbridge stuck around as his ABB colleague Warren Haynes emerged for “Just Kissed My Baby.”

Finally, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks jetted in just hours after performing the national anthem at the Kentucky Derby to join The Meters, Haynes and Burbridge on “It Ain’t No Use.” Both Tedeschi Trucks Band co-leaders were still wearing their derby headwear. Cyril Neville reemerged towards the end of the final song of the evening.

Watch highlights from the Saturday night Meters show shot by John “Nunu” Zomot below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaeowoKuKAE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxX0LLh0dqk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE0rixi45fo

Setlist (via Live For Live Music)

Set: Fire on the Bayou, Cissy Strut, Look-Ka Py Py, People Say, Mr. Moon, No More Okey Doke [1], Be My Lady [1], Can You Do Without?, (Doodle Loop) The World Is a Little Bit Under the Weather, Hey Pocky A-Way [2], Just Kissed My Baby [3], It Ain’t No Use [1] [4]

Notes: Prior to the show, representatives from the New Orleans mayor’s office joined the band and Arthel Neville, daughter of the late Art Neville, onstage to officially proclaim May 2nd, 2026 as “Meters Day.”

• [1]: with Cyril Neville (vocals)
• [2]: with Oteil Burbridge (bass), featuring “Sex and Candy” (Marcy Playground) teases and quotes from Leo Nocentelli
• [3]: with Warren Haynes (guitar), Oteil Burbridge (bass)
• [4]: with Derek Trucks (guitar), Susan Tedeschi (vocals), Warren Hanyes (guitar), Oteil Burbridge (bass)