Dark Star Orchestra is officially back at full power, with Rob Eaton recovered, reenergized, and bringing some much-needed heat to the Northeast.

Dark Star Orchestra returned to the stage this week for its Cosmic New Year’s Run with a fiery two-set performance at State Theatre on Monday, December 29th, marking Eaton’s first show back after a month away due to an inflammation of the abdominal tissue. Any concerns about rust were quickly erased.

From the opening notes, Dark Star Orchestra sounded locked in, loose, and energized—delivering the kind of inspired, deep-cut-laden performance that has kept the band at the top of the Grateful Dead tribute world for nearly three decades. Eaton slipped seamlessly back into his Bob Weir role, trading rhythmic punches and textures with the band as if he’d never left the road.

Dark Star Orchestra — “Big River” (Johnny Cash) — Portland, ME — 12/29/25

[Video: StoopidGrateful]

On Tuesday, December 30th, DSO carried that momentum south to Philadelphia’s Franklin Music Hall, where the band unfurled another expansive, joyfully unpredictable show packed with classics, left turns, and extended improvisation—setting the stage for its highly anticipated New Year’s Eve run at The Capitol Theatre.

With Eaton back, the band is firing on all cylinders—and fans who can’t make it to Port Chester can still catch the magic live. Stream the Dark Star Orchestra NYE show tonight via nugs.

In addition to individual pay-per-view livestreams, nugs is currently offering 50% off an annual All Access membership, available through Monday, January 5th. For under $99, subscribers receive a full year of official concert audio, full-show videos, and access to subscriber-exclusive livestreams.

[Note: This special deal for 50% off your first year of nugs All Access subscription is available for new users, trial subscribers, and existing monthly users as an upgrade. Discounted subscriptions will renew at the standard rate after the first year until cancellation. Live For Live Music is a nugs affiliate. Ordering your subscription or purchasing a download via the links on this page helps support our coverage of the world of live music. Thank you for reading!]

Below, check out the full setlists from the first two nights of the Dark Star Orchestra NYE run—and don’t miss your chance to ring in 2026 with DSO from the couch, or, if you’re around New York, grab some of the last available tickets and catch the band in person.

Setlist: Dark Star Orchestra | State Theatre | Portland, ME | 12/29/25

Set One: Bertha, Mexicali Blues, Loser, Black-Throated Wind, They Love Each Other, Beat It on Down the Line (Jesse Fuller), Deal, El Paso (Marty Robbins), Row Jimmy, Greatest Story Ever Told, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider (Traditional), Around and Around (Chuck Berry)
Set Two: Ramble On Rose, Me and My Uncle (John Phillips), Here Comes Sunshine, Big River (Johnny Cash), Dark Star, Eyes of the World, King Solomon’s Marbles, Stella Blue, Sugar Magnolia
Encore: Piece of My Heart (Erma Franklin)

Setlist: Dark Star Orchestra | Franklin Music Hall | Philadelphia, PA| 12/30/25

Set One: Scarlet Begonias, Mr. Charlie, The Race Is On (George Jones), Bird Song, Chinatown Shuffle, Me and Bobby McGee (Kris Kristofferson), Cumberland Blues, You Ain’t Woman Enough (Loretta Lynn), Mama Tried (Merle Haggard), U.S. Blues
Set Two: Sitting on Top of the World (Walter Vinson, Lonnie Chatmon), Pride of Cucamonga, Dancing in the Street (Martha and the Vandellas), He’s Gone, St. Stephen, The Eleven, Death Don’t Have No Mercy (Reverend Gary Davis), Not Fade Away (The Crickets) > Going Down the Road Feeling Bad (Traditional) > Not Fade Away
Encore: Woodstock (Joni Mitchell)