Goose returned for the second night of Goosemas XI at the North Charleston Coliseum and delivered even more twists and turns. They kept fans on their toes with an unpredictable set, despite revisiting a theme they had executed multiple times before. The night featured numerous first-time-played covers, as well as a bingo ball marked "D+B+Flamingos." DJ Marb Menthols made an appearance, and the evening concluded perfectly with a Grateful Dead encore.
Prior to the Goosemas event, Goose randomly generated 12,000 bingo cards that corresponded to balls in the giant bingo machine behind them on stage. Fans signed up to receive a card, which was scored in real-time by the band's software. One of our friends had "D+B+Flamingos" on their card, so we had an inkling that flamingos might make an appearance. Our card had "Chakras," which was never selected, leaving us curious about what that might have entailed.
The second night began much like the first, with the band walking on stage to "Sirius," also known as the Chicago Bulls' entry music, by the Alan Parsons Project. All five band members wore the same costumes as the night before: guitarist Rick Mitarotonda as Bob Seger, multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach as George Harrison, percussionist Jeff Arevalo as Dickey Betts, bassist Trevor Weekz as Rick James, and drummer Cotter Ellis as Elton John. They were joined by MC Lucky Lou, who selected the bingo balls while hamming it up on stage in a Southern drawl and an Elvis-inspired jumpsuit.
Lucky Lou selected "Madhuvan" as the first ball, sparking a sixteen-minute jam that explored many directions early on. The band certainly came out swinging. "Borne" followed, with Lucky Lou quietly selecting "Bonus Ball 5" during the tune. They then transitioned into "Slip Slidin' Away" by Paul Simon, the first of many first-time-played tunes of the evening.
The newer tune "One In, One Out" was plucked from the bingo machine, launching the band into a mellow jam that soon gained momentum. Lucky Lou selected "D+B+Flamingos," and within seconds, two massive inflatable flamingo floatation devices appeared near the photo pit. The crowd seized the moment, passing one flamingo back before it was recalled. Both Mitarotonda and Anspach hopped onto the giant pink flamingos and crowd-surfed Andy Frasco-style into the audience. They made it about halfway back before turning around, with Anspach falling off at one point. Both musicians were all smiles, as were the fans, who savored every moment. Oh, and did we mention that Weekz, Ellis, and Arevolo kept playing a killer surf-inspired groove throughout this wild adventure?
The band soldiered on as Mitarotonda and Anspach returned and received the "14 Minute Jam" bingo ball. Without stopping, they ventured into type-two territory with an epic jam that absolutely deserves a re-listen. The juicy funk jam transitioned impressively into "Rockdale," with Anspach shining on the clav. This slow-burn funk groove quickly morphed into a powerful closing jam, with Mitarotonda in full face-melting mode..
Goose returned for round two, joined by Lucky Lou, who pulled "All I Need" from the bingo machine. The band began with the slow, melodic version, but it was short-lived as another bingo ball directed the music into "Creatures." An up-tempo, dark jam followed, venturing into the EDM space.
This eventually transitioned into a shorter "Empress of Organos." Bonus Ball #5 was chosen during the jam, leading to Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' "Don't Leave Me This Way." This first-time-played tune ignited a disco inferno, enhanced by an epic light show courtesy of Lighting Director Andrew Goedde. The band significantly elevated their lighting game for Goosemas, featuring a massive light cube suspended above the crowd.
The disco dance party wasn't quite over as Bonus Ball #3 was selected, leading to "Get Down Tonight" by KC and the Sunshine Band. Lucky Lou lent a hand with percussion during this '70s classic, while Anspach added layers of clavinet to the raucous jam that followed. At one point, the band teased "That's The Way (I Like It)" before launching into soaring jam-rock peaks to conclude this first-time-played cover.
"Atlas Dogs" came next, gaining momentum before quickly segueing into "Echo of a Rose." This version was shorter than a typical "Echo," but it packed no less of a punch. During this jam, the "$ Ready" ball was selected, leading to the first verse and chorus of "Slow Ready" before transitioning back into "So Ready." The jam ultimately returned to "Slow Ready" territory, closing out this incredible set.
The band returned for an encore, delivering what could be considered a third set. "Dripfield" was the last ball drawn from the oversized bingo machine, and this fast version made the selection even sweeter. The music ventured into a darker jam, accompanied by staff shooting shirts from cannons into the crowd. DJ Marb Menthols, aka Weekz, also made an appearance, complete with turntables. He unleashed jungle beats, temporarily transforming the room into an EDM throwdown. This jam is one we highly recommend revisiting. DJ Marb Menthols will also be playing a set at Viva El Gonzo in May 2025.
The music was not over as Goose delved into "Help on the Way" by the Grateful Dead. The loud reaction from the crowd indicated their joy at this first-time-played selection. The psychedelic music flowed seamlessly into its companion piece, "Slipknot!," before transitioning masterfully into "Franklin's Tower." Goose truly made these songs their own, bringing smiles to many faces. The band then directed the jam back into "Empress," ending this powerful encore on a high note.
Goose will be back in action on December 30th-31st in Austin, TX, for their year-end festivities. Tickets for the first night are available via this link. They will also be in San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, from May 8th to 10th for Vivo El Gonzo. Visit this link for more details. Check out their tour page for information on events in your region.
Check out more photos from the show! Also, view our coverage from Night One at Goosemas XI.
Date: December 14, 2024
Event:: Goosemas XI
Venue:: North Charleston Coliseum
Location:: North Charleston, SC
Set One: Sirius[1] > Madhuvan, Borne > Slip Slidin’ Away[2], One In, One Out -> Jam[3] -> Jam[4] -> Rockdale
Set Two: All I Need[5] -> Creatures > The Empress Of Organos > Don’t Leave Me This Way[6], Get Down Tonight[7], Atlas Dogs[8] -> Echo of a Rose[9] > Slow Ready[10] > So Ready[10] -> Slow Ready[10]
Encore: Dripfield[8] > Jam[11], Help on the Way[12] -> Slipknot![12] > Franklin's Tower[13] -> The Empress Of Organos
Coach's Notes:
[1] The Alan Parsons Project.
[2] Paul Simon. FTP. Bonus Ball #5.
[3] D&B&Flamingos bingo ball. Rick and Peter crowd surfed on inflatable flamingos while the rest of the band played.
[4] +14 Minute Jam bingo ball.
[5] Slow, melodic version. Unfinished.
[6] Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. FTP. Bonus Ball #2.
[7] KC and the Sunshine Band. FTP. Bonus Ball #3. With Lucky Lou on percussion and That's The Way (I Like It) tease.
[8] Unfinished.
[9] Fast version. Unfinished.
[10] $ready bingo ball.
[11] M@rball and Cannons bingo balls. With DJ Marb Menthols on turntables.
[12] Grateful Dead. FTP. Bonus Ball #1.
[13] Grateful Dead. FTP. Unfinished. Bonus Ball #1.
Set list via elgoose.net
