Goose Go Wild In Philadelphia

Written by Alexis Bonilla

There is something awe-inspiring about witnessing people doing what they love most, a vibe that is exuded in every way when seeing Goose. The small, yet immensely talented group from Wilton, Connecticut dropped not one, but two great albums this year. Everything Must Go, released in April, includes  notable fan favorites such as “Your Direction” and “Give It Time.” Chain Yer Dragon followed in August with their second album of the year, just four months later. 

In typical jam-band style, fans travel from all over for their live sets, decked out in tie-dye, ranging from The Grateful Dead to Sublime, Phish, and, of course, past Goose tours. I had the privilege of seeing them in Philly this past weekend, where I met people who traveled from as far as Virginia to enjoy the show. 

One of the most exciting aspects of seeing a Goose show is that every single night is different; each setlist, each guitar breakdown, and each jam is something unique and special to that night only. I find myself discovering and falling in love with new Goose songs I’ve never even heard of, every time I go.

I attended the show at The Mann Center in Philadelphia, a gorgeous outdoor venue. I had seen the Arctic Monkeys there back in 2023, and this stage remains one of my favorites. Besides the music and the general whimsical ambiance of the crowd, Goose put on a stunning light show to complement the rest of the performance. Bright, swirling lights in every color shine on people dancing, having what I can only describe as uniquely exciting experiences. 

Goose’s ability to add new elements to each song was best displayed with their performance of “Big Modern,” featuring a metal breakdown halfway through. Despite playing only seven songs, the first half of the show lasted almost two hours, with each song given its time to shine as the band jammed out and added guitar solos. 

The band took a brief intermission after the first half and kicked it back off with “Into the Myst.” Lead guitarist, Rick Mitarotonda, led the audience through a phenomenal solo. After, they dove into what was my favorite performance of the night, a cover of Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record).” It was the perfect mix of rock and ’80s synth pop, with an added flair from their bassist, Trevor Weekz, that left the crowd moving in every direction.

Goose ended the main set with “Elmeg The Wise” before teasing an encore and coming back out for “Zalt”. At the end of the show (and after each song), the crowd collectively goes “GOOOOOOSE,” sounding to the untrained ear like boos, but really, it’s their adoring fans appreciating yet another spectacular performance by the band. 

Upcoming for Goose is Goosemas, a two-day event featuring live music and giveaways, a must-see experience, from what I’ve heard.