The Westcott Theater in Syracuse became a pulsating hub of musical energy as Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, a genre-blurring jam band with country influences, graced the stage in a nearly sold-out performance that left attendees exhilarated and yearning for more.
Recently anointed “Nashville’s new guitar hero,” by Rolling Stone, Donato led the audience through a jammy night of fun showing off sonic influences from the Grateful Dead and Phish to Waylon Jennings.
The atmosphere within the Westcott Theater was charged with anticipation even before the first note resonated through the venue. As the lights dimmed, one of the most packed houses the Westcott has seen erupted into cheers, a testament to the fervent following that Daniel Donato and his Cosmic Country collective have cultivated. The energy was palpable as the band took the stage, setting the scene for an unforgettable night of country-infused improvisation and musical exploration.
The band’s lineup features Daniel Donato on lead guitar and vocals, alongside a talented ensemble of musicians including Nathan “Sugar Leg” Aronowitz on keyboards, rhythm guitar and vocals, Will “Mustang” McGee on bass, and Noah Winner on drums. And they immediately captivated the crowd. It was hard to move around inside the theater the venue was so packed, and when the music started all those people went wild.
The band’s chemistry was palpable, with each member contributing to the sonic tapestry in their own unique way. The rhythm section provided a solid foundation, propelling the music forward with a cosmic heartbeat, the bass was hard-charging and in your face while the keyboardist added layers of textures, creating an immersive sonic experience.
As the night reached its climax, the audience was left in a state of euphoria. Cosmic Country had taken them on a journey, blurring the lines between the earthly and the celestial. The Westcott Theater became a haven where traditional notions of genre were shattered, and the universal nature of music prevailed.
The night was a masterclass in musical exploration. Through his exceptional guitar skills, emotive vocals, and a band that seamlessly blended genres, Donato delivered a performance that was both otherworldly and grounded in the roots of country music. Cosmic Country is no doubt on the way up to the top and fans should make sure to catch them at more intimate venues like these while they still have the chance.
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country – Westcott Theatre, Syracuse – Saturday, February 10, 2024
Set 1: Why Have You Been Gone So Long?, Cigar Time, Halfway (In Between), Hi-Country, Playing Your Game, Weathervane > Blue Skies > Weathervane, Locomotive No. 9 > Rose In a Garden, Banks of the Ohio, Broadside Ballad > Hangman’s Reel
Set 2: Passing Storm, Sugar Shack, Luck of the Draw > Sugar Leg Rag, Illusions, Down Along the Cove, Down Bedford, Down By The Riverside, Dance in the Desert
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