Night two in St. Augustine with Goose felt like a dream, as the band continued to play out of their minds in a mild tropical paradise. Most folks spent their day on the beach, by the pool, or enjoying the incredibly fresh seafood before lazily making the mile-or-two migration to the venue, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. This setlist was a mix of new and old originals, along with several elevated covers, putting a bow on this epic Florida run.
The band emerged from backstage, thanked the crowd for their attendance, and promptly dropped into 'Turbulence & The Night Rays.' This Vasudo original was the perfect opener. Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda was on point with vocals and guitar, even unleashing a few smiles. The crowd was ready to party and went wild during the brief moments between 'Turbulence' and 'Draconian Meter Maid.' Drummer Cotter Ellis took on vocals for his tune, 'Draconian Meter Maid.' Played for only the sixth time ever, this song features multiple tempo changes and some serious jam potential. This version did not disappoint, showcasing a powerful percussive force throughout.
The music slowly mellowed before taking a left turn into 'Turned Clouds' from Goose's 2016 release, Moon Cabin. Multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach and bassist Trevor Weekz settled into funk mode while Mitarotonda drove the train home. The upbeat blues-rock original 'Drive' was up next, soaring into a euphonious jam. The band developed a very tight groove that had many fans dancing with huge grins, fully enjoying this high-energy first set, especially the tight 'Drive.'
Without stopping, the band shifted gears into 'Wild Night' by Van Morrison. Ironically, this tune was last played at a beachside venue in Asbury Park, NJ, on July 3, 2023, at The Stone Pony Summer Stage. Mitarotonda sang his heart out on this version, and the fans erupted at its conclusion. The new song 'Feel It Now' followed, bringing a trance-inspired jam. A layered effort continued to develop, showcasing bright moments for percussionist Jeff Arevalo.
The easygoing 'A Western Sun' came next, giving Anspach a moment to shine on the piano. This smooth tune slowly transitioned into 'Rockdale,' dialing the funk back up. The band truly came together during the jam, with Mitarotonda delivering electrified tension and release to close the set.
The band returned from set break and began set two with a seventeen-minute 'Hungersite.' This raging jam found its way into the rarely played cover, Jim James's 'State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.).' Lighting Director Andrew Goedde projected a myriad of colors onto the venue's ceiling, adding another sensory element to the music.
The blues-rock-charged 'Thatch' was up next and did not disappoint. Weekz provided a tasty bass line that the rest of the band tethered to, including Anspach on clav and synth. Ellis and Arevalo had shining moments as the music transitioned, while Mitarotonda went into machine-gun mode to bring this tune home.
The set wasn’t over quite yet, as the band delved into a twenty-two-minute 'Dripfield' from their 2022 release of the same name. A stacked jam ensued, with more pronounced percussion and bass as Weekz continued his thumping dominance. Mitarotonda utilized textured guitar effects before returning to face-melting mode. This gave way to another ambient section, with the piece stretching to nearly twenty-three minutes of delight.
The band landed squarely back in 'Dripfield,' with prog rock-inspired peaks and valleys and the crowd on their feet. They skillfully transitioned into an up-tempo 'Shama Lama Ding Dong' by Otis Day & The Knights, ending the set on a high note. The band then returned for an encore with 'Give It Time.'
Goose continued to shine and unfurl memorable performances as they ended their incredible run in Florida. They are hosting their annual two night Goosemas event at the North Charleston Coliseum on December 13-14, and are playing a two night stint in Austin, TX for New Years. If that isn't enough to satisfy your avian craving, they are throwing a three day festival in Cabo, Mexico on May 8-10, 2025, titled Viva El Gonzo. Tickets and more information are available here. Head on over to their tour page for more dates near your location.
Check out more photos from the show! Also, view our prior coverage from the Goose 2024 Florida Fall tour in St. Petersburg, FL and St. Augustine, FL.
Band: Goose
Date: November 2, 2024
Venue: St. Augustine Amphitheater
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Set One: Turbulence & The Night Rays, Draconian Meter Maid > Turned Clouds, Drive -> Wild Night[1], Feel it Now, A Western Sun > Rockdale
Set Two: Hungersite > State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.)[2], Thatch, Dripfield[3] -> Shama Lama Ding Dong[4]
Encore: Give it Time
Coach's Notes:
[1] Van Morrison.
[2] Jim James.
[3] Unfinished.
[4] Otis Day & The Knights.
Show Notes: Wild Night was played for the first time since July 3, 2023 (98 shows).
Set list via elgoose.net
