Goose Descends Upon The Anthem In DC For Two Nights

Goose’s first-ever performance at The Anthem, Washington, D.C.’s crown jewel of mid-sized venues, marked a significant milestone for the band. Despite not quite reaching a sellout in the sprawling 6,000-capacity room, the energy inside was electric. These two shows were Goose’s eighth and ninth performance in the nation’s capital, a journey that began in 2017 with an intimate gig at the now-shuttered Gypsy Sally’s, a beloved venue for jam band enthusiasts. The leap from that modest stage to The Anthem underscores how far Goose has come.

The band opened with a serene yet haunting “Dr. Darkness,” setting a contemplative tone before diving into the quirky, high-energy “Earthling or Alien?” The seamless flow of “Seekers on the Ridge Pt. I > Pt. II” was a reminder of Goose’s knack for narrative-driven instrumental passages. A standout moment in the first set was the cleverly constructed “Echo of a Rose” > “Bloodbuzz Ohio” > “Bob Don” > “Echo of a Rose” sequence, showcasing their ability to weave original material with a masterfully reimagined cover of The National. Closing the set, “So Ready” provided a jubilant energy that had fans dancing in the aisles.

The second set kicked off with an unexpected twist: a thunderous rendition of The Who‘s “Eminence Front.” This opener showcased the band’s ability to reinterpret rock classics with their signature flair. The crowd roared during the high-octane “Hungersite” and a spirited cover of Dead or Alive‘s “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record),” with Peter teasing Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” for a playful nod. The set’s centerpiece, “Pancakes,” melted into a dreamy jam that morphed into “Loose Ends” and back again, a sequence that felt both exploratory and tightly cohesive.

The emotive ballad “This Old Sea” transitioned into the primal energy of “Animal,” featuring a sly tease of Goose’s own “Welcome to Delta.” This kind of finale left fans breathless and eager for more.

For the encore, Goose opted for a poignant rendition of the Grateful Dead’s “Peggy-O,” a heartfelt nod to their jam band roots. The performance perfectly balanced reverence and reinvention, a fitting conclusion to a night steeped in history and forward momentum.

Goose’s debut at The Anthem was a testament to their rising stature and the loyalty of their fans. The band delivered a performance that honored their past while looking ahead, leaving no doubt that their trajectory continues upward.

Setlist via elgoose.net:

Set 1: Dr. Darkness, Earthling or Alien?, Seekers on the Ridge pt I > Seekers on the Ridge pt II, Echo of a Rose[1] > Bloodbuzz Ohio[2] > Bob Don[3] > Echo of a Rose, So Ready

Set 2: Eminence Front[4], Hungersite, You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)[5] > Pancakes -> Loose Ends > Pancakes, This Old Sea > Animal[6]

Encore: Peggy-O[7]

Coach’s Notes:
    [1] Fast version.
    [2] The National.
    [3] With.
    [4] The Who.
    [5] Dead or Alive. With Sinnerman teases from Peter.
    [6] With Welcome to Delta tease from Peter.
    [7] Grateful Dead.

Gallery via Stu Kelly Photography 

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 

Goose unforgettably closed their tour at The Anthem in Washington, D.C., delivering a packed show that outshined even the previous night’s energy. This second performance of the two-night run drew a larger crowd, creating a buzzing atmosphere that matched the band’s elevated, relaxed vibe on stage. Goose wasted no time exploring deep, adventurous jams, signaling from the first few songs that this night would celebrate skillful musicianship and unpredictable setlist choices.

Kicking off with “Atlas Dogs,” the band dove straight into one of their own with finesse, setting the tone with shimmering harmonies and intricate layers. The groove seamlessly carried over to “Silver Rising” and “Turned Clouds,” allowing Goose to explore spacey ambiance and high-octane jamming early on. The real highlight came mid-set when they surprised the crowd with Devo’s “Whip It.” A playful take that was surprisingly funky, it had fans grooving hard and laughing at Goose’s knack for flipping a ‘80s classic into a jam-band anthem. Prince’s “I Would Die 4 U” followed, with guitarist Rick Mitarotonda putting his spin on the vocals, striking a balance between reverence and spontaneity.

The second set picked up on this energy, opening with “Yeti” before smoothly transitioning into a cover of Foster The People’s “Pumped Up Kicks.” The band gave the familiar pop tune a dark, expansive reworking, and the crowd loved every second. A quick pivot into the nostalgic “Shama Lama Ding Dong” by the fictional house band Otis Day & The Knights from the 1978 cult classic film Animal House caught everyone off guard. Still, it quickly became a singalong highlight, complete with spirited interplay among the band members. Goose then returned to “Yeti,” creating a powerful bookend before launching into originals like “Thatch” and “726,” each full of the deft improvisation that has become Goose’s signature.

Goose delivered a masterclass for the encore, weaving in and out of “The Empress Of Organos” and “Big Modern!” Moving seamlessly between these songs, the extended encore showcased the band’s collective chemistry and capacity to take fan favorites to new, transcendent heights. “Empress” was scratched from the setlist the previous night, so fans were happy to have it appear on the tour’s final night. Looking ahead, Goose will debut at Madison Square Garden as part of Soulshine – A benefit for hurricane relief and recovery alongside Dave Matthews Band, Warren Haynes Band, Trey Anastasio, Nathaniel Rateliff, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, and more. 

Setlist via elgoose.net:

Coach’s Notes:
    [1] Devo.
    [2] Prince.
    [3] Foster The People.
    [4] Otis Day & The Knights.

Gallery via Stu Kelly Photography 

Wednesday, November 13, 2024