It was a career-defining night for Connecticut’s indie-groove sensation Goose on Friday, July 7. Making their debut at the iconic Saratoga Performing Arts Center, it would ultimately prove to be their biggest headlining performance to date, drawing an estimated 11,000 fans from across the Northeast. Rising to the occasion, the high-flying band captivated attendees with their signature sound, all played with purpose, gusto, and pride. A milestone moment in time that was as satisfying for the fans as it was for the members of Team Goose, this show felt special and more like a homecoming celebration for our triumphant underdogs.
From the dimly lit club scene to lighting up amphitheaters across the country, the meteoric rise of Goose has been a phenomenon rarely seen in today’s music climate. Ever since accepting the proverbial “torch” from a guy named Trey at Radio City Music Hall last summer, the band has been running with it full speed ahead, no brakes and all gas. From making their national television debut to selling out Red Rocks and their residency at the Capitol Theatre, to earning praise from legendary Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh and even comedians like Jimmy Fallon and Bert Kreischer, the widespread appeal of this band seems to span across generations. Even people who don’t listen to “new” music are talking about Goose.
Consisting of Rick Mitarotonda [vocals, guitar], Peter Anspach [vocals, keys, guitar], Trevor Weekz [bass], Ben Atkind [drums], and Jeff Arevalo [vocals, percussion, drums], the buzz surrounding Goose’s SPAC debut was palpable. Coming off major festivals like Peach and the final Resonance, then a pair of sold-out 4th of July shows at the Stone Pony and Portland, ME, the momentum coming into Saratoga had reached a level not seen since, well, Phish. Afternoon rain would make for a bit of a messy shakedown situation, but right around showtime, as if on cue, the clouds turned as fans started filling up the lawn and pavilion. The highly collectible posters commemorating the evening were long gone well before the first note was played.
Walking out to a thunderous and sustained standing ovation, the members of Goose were grinning ear to ear upon taking their positions on the storied SPAC stage. Afterward, on social media, the band would reflect on it saying, “We will never forget the energy we felt right at the start of last night’s show, absolute chills.” Soaking it all in for a moment, the guys would suddenly drop into an inspired “Silver Rising,” with Mitarotonda emphatically singing out the opening lyrics:
Feel the rush
Taste the blood
Feel the fear behind your eyes
All my dreams and
All my reasons
Swallowed up into the night
Lyrics from “Silver Rising”
Pardon the cliché, but with the combination of those lyrics and hearing Rick’s voice for the first time in that kind of atmosphere, it simply gave you goosebumps. Saratoga would soon see a little “California Magic” before Goose would unleash a monster 19-minute version of “Animal” that had everyone up and movin’ their bodies.
Next came the emotional high point of the first set with a personal song near and dear to multi-instrumentalist Peter “Handini” Anspach. Leading the band through “Red Bird” in a fitting tribute to his mother who has supported his music every step of the way, hearing Peter sing it during the biggest show of his career was very touching. After dipping their toes into some gorgeous improvisational type-II territory, a rollicking rendition of “Same Old Shenanigans” (SOS) would send us to intermission and leave the excited crowd buzzing about what they’d just witnessed and what was still yet to come.
Red bird don’t get tired now
You can almost touch the light
Red bird don’t stop singing your song
Fly for tomorrow tonight
– Lyrics from “Red Bird”
The second set started off with the band paying homage to Goose’s precursor project Vasudo. Playing a heartfelt rendition of “The Empress of Organos,” a song that was also played at the final Vasudo show ten years ago, one couldn’t help but be inspired by just how far this band has come during that time. Now playing with a new custom-made guitar appropriately named “The Empress,” Mitarotonda’s tone sounded glorious all night long and the band looked completely comfortable and at home on the big stage. They are simply born for this. Following the 23-minute “Empress” came a beautiful blues-inspired cover of David Gray’s “Please Forgive Me” that saw some serious peak shredding from Snakes.
The SPAC show will be remembered for a lot of things, but for me, the real “get down” took place during the SPAC “Thatch.” One of the funkiest and crunchiest grooves this side of Phish’s “Moma Dance,” the band originally debuted the song just up the road in Glens Falls last November while opening for the Trey Anastasio Band. Nearly doubling its length with this version (while also managing to sneak a “Tequila” tease in), the song is destined to become a fan favorite and setlist staple for years to come. Check out pro-shot footage of “Thatch” here:
Easing us into the comedown was another beautifully executed version of “This Old Sea,” one of the most tender ballads in the band’s arsenal, it would also be the shortest song played all night. Seamlessly transitioning into the title track from the band’s latest studio album, 2022’s Dripfield, the mesmerizing climax and stunning light show courtesy of LD Andrew Goedde left Goose fans dripping for more.
On your way to kill the beast
You meet the child, the only one you know
And he sings to you, “Let go,
May the nighttime be your home
-Lyrics from “Factory Fiction”
After hanging backstage for a minute to bask in the ovation and savor the moment, there was only one song that made sense for an encore; a song reserved for only the most special and monumental occasions. As the opening notes of the rare “Factory Fiction” rang out (or ‘Spactory Fiction’ as some fans are already calling it), the excitement and jubilation could be felt by everyone who was there and collectively sent chills down your entire body. Bringing the band full circle on this surreal summer night, from beginning to end, their performance made an emphatic statement. The golden Goose has arrived, and buckle up because their time is now
Up next, the band will return to the Newport Folk Festival for their first appearance on the main stage. Later this fall, Goose will return to New York to headline the Borderland Music Festival in Buffalo, before heading across the pond to play their first European tour in November.
For more information, tickets, and tour dates, visit here.
Set 1: Silver Rising, California Magic, Animal, Red Bird, Same Old Shenanigans
Set II: The Empress of Organos, Please Forgive Me (David Gray cover), Thatch, This Old Sea, Dripfield
Encore: Factory Fiction
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