Eau Claire, Wis. — Daniel Donato scheduled his tour through the Blue Ox Music Festival last Thursday, giving the fest and those in attendance a big dose of Cosmic Country.
Below is a photo gallery of the performance shot by Jam in the Stream editor Javier Serna.
A highlight of the 75-minute set was a version of Donato’s hit “Dance in the Desert,” which was stretched past the 15-minute mark thanks to some incredible improvisation from the entire band, including a shift by Nathan “Sugarlegg” Aronowitz from the keys to guitar. This version had a decidedly disco vibe to it — the studio version from last year’s Reflector LP also clocks in at only 3:54.
Most of the song was captured in the video below, also shot by Jam in the Stream.
Donato’s four-piece band was playing the festival for the third year in a row. The first of those appearances was a late-night appearance on the Backwoods Stage back in 2022.
For the second year in a row, Cosmic Country got a prime Thursday night slot on the main stage, the second to last performers to take that stage.
Check out his full tour schedule here. He’ll be back in the Upper Midwest for his first appearance at Minneapolis’ storied First Avenue on Oct. 30, Milwaukee’s Turner Hall Ballroom on Oct. 31, and the Majestic Theater in Madison, Wis. on Nov. 1.