Perhaps it wasn’t intended this way, but the first round of Goose’s 2023 spring tour shaped up to be a heavyweight matchup between two cities with a rivalry as old as the United States: Boston and Philadelphia. After kicking off a 22-show spring tour in Boston on Thursday night, Goose and its flock of followers migrated south to Philadelphia for a weekend doubleheader.
Just over a year after Goose played what is regarded by many as one of the band’s top performances of all time during its last visit to the City of Brotherly Love (3/12/22), it’s now clear as day that Rocky Balboa and company are not ready to relinquish their championship belt. A heavyweight show from start to finish, the story of the night, this young tour, and perhaps even 2023 to date is the late-round knockout that will henceforth forever be known as the “Philly Echo”. Or maybe on national cheesesteak day, we should just call this “Echo” Wiz Wit.
Goose – “Echo of a Rose” [Pro-Shot] – 3/24/23
While Thursday’s Boston tour-opener at Roadrunner was a more measured affair in which it felt like both teams were dancing around the ring and sizing each other up, Goose–Rick Mitarotonda, Peter Anspach, Ben Atkind, Trevor Weeks, and Jeff Arevalo–came out swinging for a first-round knockout at The Met Philadelphia with a filthy “Rockdale” opener that hit the first of several improvisational peaks just ten minutes in. In a city known for its blue-collar passion, the Philly faithful got down and dirty as the champ continued to poke and prod before connecting on a looping right hook that gave way to the gorgeous three-way harmonies that mercifully rang the bell on the opening volley.
A sprightly newer look “Atlas Dogs” was followed by a singalong cover of Pat Benetar’s “Love Is A Battlefield” played by the band for just the fifth time ever. “Everything Must Go”, an emotional Rick ballad rapidly climbing fans’ depth charts, was played for the sixth time after debuting last October as it bullishly closed a lyrical thread about love/loss and hope/fear that started with “Atlas Dogs”.
“The Old Man’s Boat” thrust bassman Trevor Weeks into the center ring spotlight where he rightly belongs as he continued to effortlessly assert the low-end thunder with a furious series of uppercuts that drew blood on the ensuing “Thatch”. What felt like the most powerful barrage of punches yet ended 15 minutes later with swirls of confetti falling appropriately from the sky as the stunned crowd gathered itself for the approaching setbreak.
[Visual projections on The Met’s exterior, Photo: Chris Quinn]
Philadelphia always brings the heat and after a quick towel between rounds “Animal” showed that the champ still had the fancy footwork to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee in the second frame. Just the second-ever reading of the recently debuted and extremely well-received 80’s-synth electronic dance tune “Feel It Now” kept the energy at a fever pitch as lighting phenom Andrew Goedde painted the stage in psychedelic pastels. Groovy and patient in turn, it was a big moment for this young song even though it might get lost in the overall story that was just about to unfold.
As “Echo Of A Rose” started and Rick’s resounding vocals bounced around the domed opera hall, the reeling crowd was as of yet still unaware that the definitive jam-of-the-year and knockout punch was about to ensue. A flurry for the ages, it was mere minutes before Rick was charging into his opponent’s corner with a barrage of rights and lefts that begged for a standing eight-count. The perfect combination of technical acumen, explosive power, speed, strength, and viciousness over its 20 minutes of Type II improvisation, the judge’s scorecards would’ve surely rendered a unanimous decision if not for a Richkdiculous TKO.
“Turned Clouds” has developed as an exquisite set/show closer and followed as the perfect choice for the dazed and confused Philly crowd to raise their arms and celebrate a Rocky-style victory on the swell of Peter’s organ.
Look around this city
You must be out of your mind
It’s only time now
Before it all comes down
Right back to the ground
The team is often overlooked while the champ gets all the headlines but that’s never been the case with Goose and “Mr. Action” celebrated the 48-person traveling crew that makes this constantly growing and evolving production possible. With a new light rig that debuted at The Capitol Theatre, best-in-class sound in a best-in-class room, and a video team that’s bringing the entire tour to fans for free exclusively on nugs.net, Goose is putting forth on a nightly basis one of the most awe-inspiring products in live music right now.
Music is *never* about competition but it’s also true that a little friendly rivalry never hurt anyone and Boston finds itself licking its wounds this morning after getting punched in the mouth by its northeast rival Philadelphia. The City That Loves You Back again worked her magic with an effort that should put the rest of this tour on notice as Goose proudly backed up the now popular refrain: every show is the best show since the last show until the next show. It’s Always Sunny in Goosadelphia–even when it’s not–and the reigning and still champion City of Brotherly Love returns to The Met to defend her belt tonight on a rainy Saturday.
Check out a gallery of images from Goose in Philadelphia on Saturday courtesy of photographer Chris Quinn.
Setlist: Goose | The Met Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA | 3/24/23
Set One: Rockdale, Atlas Dogs > Love Is A Battlefield [1], Everything Must Go, The Old Man’s Boat, Thatch
Set Two: Animal, Feel It Now, Echo Of A Rose [2], Turned Clouds
Encore: Mr. Action
Coach’s Notes:
[1] Pat Benatar.
[2] Fast version.
The post Goose Delivers A Knockout As Spring Tour Box Score Reads Philadelphia: 1 Boston: 0 [Photos/Video] appeared first on L4LM.
