Dave Matthews Band and Warren Haynes got some warm-up licks in before an audience of tens of thousands Friday night at Madison Square Garden. The two longtime collaborators linked up for a pair of Neil Young covers in New York City ahead of Sunday’s SOULSHINE benefit for hurricane relief at The Garden.

Midway through Friday’s first of two sold-out Dave Matthews Band shows at MSG, the titular frontman informed the audience “We got some friends in town” as he summoned Haynes to the stage. Matthews introduced the Asheville, NC native Gov’t Mule guitarist as “The person who inspired us to add the extra show,” previewing DMB and Haynes’ co-hosting duties for SOULSHINE.

The two-song, 25-minute sit-in started with the slow shuffle of “Down By the River”. Perhaps a nod to the devastating damage done by flooded rivers throughout Haynes’ native Western North Carolina, Warren’s slide guitar added the emotional gravitas required for a cause so near to his heart. After that came the obligatory “Cortez the Killer”, Haynes’ signature collaborative cover with DMB, immortalized on 2003 live release The Central Park Concert. Neither Neil Young cover had been seen since Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds‘ Mexico destination event back in February, with Jason Isbell standing in for Haynes on “Cortez”.

As Haynes and Reynolds traded licks in the song’s opening and the sold-out arena roared to life, fans were again reminded why this cover is required whenever Haynes and Matthews cross paths. Given that they’re meeting up again on Sunday for another sold-out crowd, it’d be surprising not to see “Cortez the Killer” appear a second time.

Watch Warren Haynes join Dave Matthews Band for Neil Young classics “Down By the River” and Cortez the Killer” at MSG. Fans can tune in to a free SOULSHINE livestream here and donate to help hurricane relief efforts in North Carolina and Florida here. The full concert will features sets by DMB, Warren Haynes Band, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and Goose with appearances by special guests Trey Anastasio, Mavis Staples, Robert Randolph, Joe Russo, Trombone Shorty, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and more to be announced.

Update: The following night, banjo extraordinaire Béla Fleck joined DMB at MSG. Read a full recap here.

Dave Matthews Band, Warren Haynes — “Down By The River” (Neil Young) — 11/22/24

[Video: Jim Powers]

Dave Matthews Band, Warren Haynes — “Cortez The Killer” (Neil Young) — 11/22/24

[Video: Jim Powers]