After a thrilling summer that saw Goose soar to new heights, the electrifying quintet launched their 2024 fall tour with their inaugural performance at Holmdel, NJ's PNC Bank Arts Center. Delivering a blend of fresh, unheard material, captivating songwriting, and their renowned daring improvisation, the band set an ambitious standard for the rest of their tour, which includes 40 performances through the year's end.
The first set ignited with "Flodown," featuring an avant-garde intro with pulsating drums and dark, dissonant chords. The audience was immediately on their feet, and Goose kept the momentum going with "Mr. Action," a spirited tribute to their dedicated crew. The highlight was the debut of "Draconian Meter Maid," a lively, whimsical 17-minute epic penned by drummer Cotter Ellis, who also lends lead vocals to the tune. The cheeky jam vehicle features buoyant, rolling instrumentation and promises to evolve into a live favorite.
WATCH | Goose - Draconian Meter Maid (9/1/2024 - Holmdel, NJ)
Following a concise yet sweet "Drive," the momentum rolled into "Seekers on the Ridge" Parts I and II and closed with "SOS," a beloved track from their 2021 album Shenanigans Nite Club.
Set two will live on in Goose history, as the band’s free-flowing improvisational prowess was on full display. Opening the second set with a bold statement, original song “Big Modern!” made its live debut, instantly capturing the crowd's attention with its soulful vocals and powerful multi-part harmonies. Showcasing the band’s ability to create a sonic journey that is both engaging and immersive, Goose weaves a tapestry of sound that is as sophisticated as it is accessible, challenging the listener while keeping them firmly rooted in the groove.
The set continued with a vibrant, dance-ready version of "Feel it Now," led by the charismatic Peter Anspach on vocals, guitar, and keys. Concluding with the classic "Madhuvan," last night’s rendition was an exhibition of Goose at their most transcendent, as the band tapped into a deep well of collective energy to push the limits of the song’s improvisational section. Following a brief break, they returned to the stage for an encore, dropping a high-energy cover of The Band’s “Don’t Do It.”
WATCH | Goose - Set Two (9/1/2024 - Holmdel, NJ)
Goose's fall tour rolls on with three shows at Boston, MA’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway (9/2-4), followed by two performances at Saratoga Springs, NY’s SPAC (9/6-7). Tickets for all 2024 shows are available now, with live streams accessible through nugs.net. For more details and ticket purchases, visit goosetheband.com.
