Grahame Lesh, the son of late Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, has announced two all-star lineups of friends set to join him at New Orleans, LA’s historic Joy Theater during the days between 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival weekends [get tickets].
On Tuesday, April 28th, Grahame Lesh (guitar, bass, vocals) will perform alongside Dead & Company bassist Oteil Burbridge, Cosmic Country guitarist/bandleader Daniel Donato, longtime Phil & Friends drummer John Molo, The Disco Biscuits keyboardist Aron Magner, and powerhouse vocalist Kanika Moore in addition to the Preservation Hall Horns and special guest keyboardist Bill Payne of Little Feat.
On Wednesday, April 29th, the Grahame Lesh & Friends lineup at The Joy Theater will once again feature Donato, Molo, Moore, and the Pres Hall Horns in addition to Eggy guitarist Jake Brownstein, revered organist and chief Funk Apostle Cory Henry, and special guest keyboardist/vocalist Ivan Neville of Dumpstaphunk.
Joy Theater and Relix pre-sale tickets for Grahame Lesh & Friends’ two-night run at The Joy Theater during New Orleans Jazz Fest 2026 will become available beginning on Thursday, January 29th at 10:00 a.m. CT here. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning on Friday, January 30th at 10:00 a.m. CT here.
Since the passing of Phil Lesh in late 2024—and even since the passing of Phil’s Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir in early 2026—Grahame Lesh has been a key figure in keeping the Dead’s lasting legacy alive. In 2025, Grahame joined Dead & Company onstage at Golden Gate Park during all three of the band’s shows marking 60 years of the Grateful Dead’s music. Throughout that weekend, Lesh also hosted his own three-night soirée, The Heart of Town, featuring a long list of notable musicians from the extended jam band world. From putting in work in front of tens of thousands in the park to leading the late-nights with generations of Dead disciples, Grahame’s tireless presence during that milestone moment helped illustrate the countless unique branches of the band’s legacy and assure fans that the music would never stop.
Related: Grahame Lesh Remembers Bob Weir: “The Kindest ‘Uncle’ I Could Ask For” [Photos/Videos]
Those three Dead & Company performances featuring Grahame—along with fellow guests Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson, and Trey Anastasio—wound up being Weir’s final shows before his passing on January 10th, 2026 at age 78. Following a public “Homecoming” event for Weir in San Francisco, Grahame Lesh lead a band of past Bobby collaborators in a special performance at The Warfield billed as Howlin’ Wolves: A Tribute to Bobby Weir.
Grahame Lesh & Friends’ two-night stand at The Joy Theater is part of Live For Live Music and GMP Live‘s Fest by Nite concert series in New Orleans during Jazz Fest 2026. Fest by Nite 2026 concerts include:
- Fri, Apr 24 – The Meters w/ Dumpstaphunk – The Fillmore New Orleans – Tickets | Details
- Thu, Apr 23 – STS9 – The Joy Theater – Tickets | Details
- Fri, Apr 24 – STS9 – The Joy Theater – Tickets | Details
- Tue, Apr 28 – Dogs In A Pile – Toulouse Theatre – Tickets | Details
- Tue, Apr 28 – Grahame Lesh & Friends ft. Oteil Burbridge, Bill Payne, Daniel Donato, More – The Joy Theater – Tickets | Details
- Wed, Apr 29 – Grahame Lesh & Friends ft. Ivan Neville, Jake Brownstein, Cory Henry, More – The Joy Theater – Tickets | Details
- Thu, Apr 30 – Lettuce: RAGE!FEST – The Joy Theater – Tickets | Details
- Sat, May 2 – The Meters – Saenger Theatre – Tickets (SOLD OUT) | Details
Stay tuned for more announcements in the coming weeks, and click here for a full rundown of Fest by Nite 2026 events with ticketing links.
***SHOW INFO***
Show: Grahame Lesh & Friends (Two Nights)
Date: Tuesday, April 28th and Wednesday, April 29th, 2026
Time: Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Show: 7:30 p.m.
Venue: The Joy Theater – 1200 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Lineup (Tue, 4/28): Grahame Lesh, Daniel Donato, Oteil Burbridge, John Molo, Aron Magner, Kanika Moore, The Preservation Hall Horns, special guest Bill Payne
Lineup (Wed, 4/29): Daniel Donato, Jake Brownstein, John Molo, Cory Henry, Kanika Moore, The Preservation Hall Horns, special guest Ivan Neville
Venue Pre-Sale: Thursday, 1/29 @ 10:00 a.m. CT (Password: LESHNOLA)
Promoter Pre-Sale: Thursday, 1/29 at 10:00 a.m. CT (Password: RELIX)
General On-Sale: Friday, Jan 30th @ 10:00 a.m. here.
Ticket Pricing Tiers: 2-Day Pass: $79.50 | Front Row Balcony: $125 | Lower Balcony: $89.50 | Upper Balcony: $69.50 | GA Floor Advance: $47.50 | GA Floor Day of Show: $55.00