Goose returned to the Moody Center on December 31, 2024, to close out the year with a bang at a show billed as a formal event. The band donned button-up shirts, ties, slacks, capes, and masquerade masks reminiscent of The Phantom of the Opera. These masks, along with roses, were handed out to the crowd as they entered the venue. The festivities included a balloon drop, confetti, a poster designed by Jim Pollock, and a Texas-sized show that will be etched in fans’ memories for years to come.
The evening began with an elevated “Pancakes” that quickly soared into a developed jam. The percussive moves of Jeff Arevalo, as well as drummer Cotter Ellis, were delightfully pronounced. The music mellowed out during “Everything Must Go,” though things slowly heated up again as guitarist Rick Mitarotonda hit several peaks.
The uptempo “Drive” followed, igniting the crowd as Mitarotonda went into beast mode. The band shifted gears before ending the song, with bassist Trevor Weekz emerging as the glue during an ominous jam that led into “The Labyrinth.” This intricate tune was last played on June 20, 2024, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA. The band delivered a powerful performance of this heavily composed, prog-rock-inspired song, which undoubtedly required a refresher prior to playing.
As fans collected themselves from the excitement of “The Labyrinth,” Goose delved into the R&B/soul classic “I Only Have Eyes for You” by The Flamingos. Originally released in 1959, this stunning debut performance melted a few hearts. The set wasn’t quite finished yet, as the band pivoted once again into “Slow Ready.”
This slow-burning tune began as the gentle companion to “So Ready” before erupting into a disco dance party, led by multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach on synth. The band was firing on all cylinders as they dove into the upbeat melody, complete with a smoke drop from lighting director Andrew Goedde.
The band wasted no time—and no opportunity to inspire—as they launched into a 17-minute “Tumble.” The lyrics of this song have uplifted many fans, and tonight’s performance was perfectly placed to usher in an uncertain New Year. This jam was a prime example of why fans follow Goose around the country. Anspach switched to electric guitar while Weekz flexed serious muscle on bass. Goedde seemed to be on another planet with the lights, and Mitarotonda unleashed his fury on lead guitar as the band wrapped a bow on this incredible set.
The quintet returned shortly before midnight to ring in the New Year, kicking off with a mind-melting 24-minute rendition of “I2I” by Tevin Campbell from the 1995 cartoon movie A Goofy Movie, last played on June 15, 2019. This tune seamlessly picked up where “Tumble” left off, cruising into a Type II jam for the ages. The rows of lights behind the stage, along with chandeliers, were perfectly coordinated with the lighting rig, elevating the visual experience to another level. At some point, Anspach switched to the clav, further solidifying the deliciously funky vibes.
A perfectly placed “Hungersite” followed, galvanizing the crowd with anticipation. Ushering in a message of peace for the New Year, it was another ideal tune for the evening. Arevalo and Ellis nailed the percussive transitions, while Anspach added rich texture on the keyboard. Mitarotonda delivered a guitar clinic, as Goedde illuminated the faces in the lights behind the stage. This seamlessly transitioned into a descent into the edgy minor chords of “Big Modern,” completing the tune from the prior night.
Longtime fans quickly recognized the bubbly ramp-up that precedes “Flodown.” After a couple of minutes, Anspach began playing “Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes on the keys—a song that had debuted just over two weeks earlier at Goosemas on December 14, 2024. This springboarded the band into the '70s soul classic, with Mitarotonda showcasing his impeccable vocals. Anspach took the honors with the countdown into 2025, as fans danced on their feet. Mitarotonda resumed singing, “Only your good loving could set me free,” just as gold, black, and white balloons were released from the ceiling. Confetti burst from the upper levels of the arena, filling the air with immense joy.
As soon as the New Year’s sequence ended, the familiar riff for “Hot Tea” filled the air. This nearly 20-minute version featured deep bass jams from Weekz, complemented by Anspach on the clav. The sublime lights danced around the band as Mitarotonda elevated the music with his face-melting tension and release. This was undoubtedly Goose at their finest—no gag or special tune needed.
The blues-rock-inspired original “Thatch” ended this fuego set with a cohesive, ambient jam that became increasingly mellow as the tune progressed. The lights dimmed, and the band left the stage while the music continued. The fans screamed and clapped, ultimately drawing the band back for an encore. Few were prepared for the heat that followed as Mitarotonda began strumming the familiar chords of the elusive “Factory Fiction.” The rest of the band joined in, confirming the treat we were all about to receive—“May the night-time be your home,” indeed. This 16-minute version crushed, with Weekz ripping on bass. The band was out of their minds and collectively brought the music—and the fans—home, ending this epic show on a blissful note. We highly suggest that all readers give the entire performance a listen.
Goose rang in the New Year with spectacular passion and, most importantly, plenty of inspiration. Their run might be over, but they will be back in action very soon. Their current winter tour includes three nights in Milwaukee, WI, on February 6–8, two nights in Toronto on February 10–11, and three nights in Grand Rapids, MI, on February 13–15. Click each hyperlinked city for more information about tickets.
They are also gearing up for Viva El Gonzo, their first-ever international festival in San José del Cabo, Mexico, from May 8–10. Head here for details about tickets and travel packages before they sell out. As always, visit their tour page to stay in the know about upcoming 2025 tour announcements.
Check out more photos from the show! Also, view our photos and coverage of Goose's performance on December 30th at the Moody Center.
Date: December 31, 2024
Location: Austin, Texas
Venue: The Moody Center ATX
Set One: Pancakes, Everything Must Go, Drive[1] -> The Labyrinth, I Only Have Eyes For You[2], Slow Ready, Tumble
Set Two: I2I[3], Hungersite -> Big Modern![4] > Flodown[5] -> Don’t Leave Me This Way[6], Hot Tea, Thatch[1]
Encore: Factory Fiction
Coach's Notes:
[1] Unfinished.
[2] The Flamingos. FTP.
[3] Tevin Campbell.
[4] Partial completion of version from 12/30/24.
[5] Intro jam only.
[6] Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. Partial version.
Set-list via elgoose.net
