It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, CO, who hosted Goose's annual holiday themed Goosemas event. The first night was held on December 16, 2022, and included a huge display of red and green balls, along with copious sharpies. Fans used these items to write requests for the band, and the band in turn drew the balls from Santa's bag to determine the second set. This included entropy created surprises for both the band and audience members, as well as a very memorable experience in the Centennial State.
This year, the band flipped the script, and took a field trip to Colorado instead of holding the event in their home state of Connecticut. They also added a second night, much to the delight of fans, as Goosemas has historically always been one night. The inclusion of the second night plus the rescheduled Goosemas from 2021 that was held in February earlier this year perhaps indicates that Goose fans have been very good this year. Good enough to earn three Goosemases in one year, at the least.
When the band walked out onto a stage adorned with giant balls hung from the ceiling and stage seats as "Big Balls" by AC/DC played, the fans knew they were in for a fun ride. That ride began with a tension and release filled "Flodown," also known as a "Flopener" when positioned as the set opener. Newer tune "Everything Must Go" followed, which included a new chill jam section. Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda was in the pocket early during a raging "Butter Rum."
The energy dropped for a much needed break at the beginning of "The Old Man's Boat," which included another new musical arrangement change, this time during the chorus. Instead of steadily entering it, they now drop the volume at the start, and slowly build it up throughout the section. An inspired "Drive" kept the energy flowing, as the jam kicked the band into high gear.
The quintet played "Christmas Must Be Tonight" by The Band next, and for the first time since December 19, 2021. Mitarotonda sang this soulful cover, and once again illustrated his dexterity. This balls to walls set closed out with a funky "Same Old Shenanigans".
Set two kicked off with multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach uttering "We're doing the balls." He announced that they would be choosing wishes from Santa's bag, and playing songs from the wishes as their gift to the fans. The first selection was "Pancakes" for Al V. "Rosewood Heart" was selected next, with both Anspach and Mitarotonda in lock step during a face melting jam.
The band continued to play as the next ball was pulled from the bag, which desired to hear Bassist Trevor Weekz read a poem, and read a poem he did. His song "Wysteria Lane" was ironically the subsequently grabbed wish. This twenty three minute heater showed Weekz as the dynamic glue between himself and his talented band mates as they embarked on a racing jam journey. About seventeen minutes in, Anspach drew another ball, from Laura Lou, which read "Audience Group Hug." Anspach took a moment to soak in the love as the audience hugged it out.
The Ted Tapes rarity "Moby" was plucked next, for Ryan. This melodic instrumental preceded the selection of "Rockdale." At one point, the jam got dark, and Mitarotonda dropped into a "Crazy Train" riff. Both Anspach on the clavinet and Weekz on the bass hopped onto this train, no pun intended, for a legit Ozzy Ozbourne "Crazy Train" tease. This returned to "Rockdale," and ended the second set with an affirmative bang.
The band returned to the stage and drew a few more non-song balls, starting with "Rick kisses Jeff." Mitarotonda clearly looked as though kissing Jeff was the last thing on earth that he wanted to do at that moment. But, being the good sport that he is, he took out his ear plugs and walked back to give Jeff a nice peck on the cheek to roaring applause and inquiry. The next ball was "Peter Twerk." Anspach of course obliged, turned around and stuck his butt out towards the crowd. The final non-song ball was "Ben Yodel." Drummer Ben Atkind did not appear comfortable yodeling, so the crowd assumed those duties with him.
Anspach drew the final wish of the evening, "White Lights." Lighting Director Andrew Goedde filled the tapestry with radiant white lights as this show full of giving came to a close.
Goose is back in action next week in Cincinnati, OH for new years festivities on 12/30-12/31. If you weren't able to catch the first night of Goosemas, check out their upcoming Spring tour that traverses both coasts. Hop on over to this link for more details.
Check out more photos from the show!
Set One
Flodown[1], Everything Must Go, Butter Rum, The Old Man’s Boat, Drive, Christmas Must Be Tonight[2], Same Old Shenanigans
Set Two
Pancakes, Rosewood Heart > Trevor Reads Poetry, Wysteria Lane[3] > Moby, Rockdale[4]
Encore
White Lights
Coach’s Notes
[1] Flopener. With River Lullaby tease.
[2] The Band.
[3] With “Audience Group Hug” ball.
[4] With Crazy Train teases.
