Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country electrifies the Westcott Theater

Halfway through his “Horizons” Fall 2025 tour, rising artist Daniel Donato and his band Cosmic Country made their next stop in Syracuse. 

Country lovers packed the Westcott Theater on Tuesday night for a special two-hour set from Donato and Cosmic Country.

Before the show began, energetic country tunes blared throughout the venue. Colorful neon lights and lava lamp chandeliers decorated the theater. Audience members packed into two indoor patio sections on both sides of the room.

Not shy to express their love for country apparel, Donato’s fans wore flannel jackets, tie-dye shirts and ripped jeans. Some even changed into Cosmic Country merchandise they bought near the theater’s entrance. 

Over the past few years, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country has gained attention through its original style that blends traditional country-and-western with modern psychedelic rock made popular by bands such a Phish and Goose. On Spotify, Donato averages nearly 200,000 monthly listeners and the band has made television appearances on CBS Saturday Morning and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. 

Strobe lighting and echoing guitars filled the space as the band made their way to the stage. Cosmic Country set the tone for the night by beginning their set with the track “Always Been A Lover.” The energetic, fast-paced song had fans hollering and throwing their arms in the air.

As the evening progressed, Donato played from his albums A Young Man’s Country and Reflector. The band flowed seamlessly between danceable country twang and slow psychedelic jams that went on for more than 10 minutes.

Donato played skillful solos using wah pedals and country licks before bassist Will McGee and keyboardist Nathan Aronowitz took their respective solos. The space echoed with layered improvisations from the band members. “Lady Justice,” “Jesus On The Mainline” and “Guilty Jubilee” were among the songs Donato performed in the first set.

Following a 20-minute intermission, Donato started the second set with “Rose In A Garden.” The classic, up-beat track had fans bouncing up and down with Donato’s sharp vocals. After concluding the set with their popular track “Why You Been Gone So Long,” the band performed a cover of Johnny Cash’s “Big River” with an encore from the crowd. 

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country makes their next stop in Saratoga Springs on Thursday as part of a tour to promote their newest album Horizons that was released Aug. 22.