Traveling from the Midwest to the West Coast, Goose stopped in Bozeman, Montana for two nights at The ELM. While Tuesday night’s show was lighter on deep improv and focused more on a straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll vibe, Wednesday’s show saw the band craft two well-flowing sets with deep pockets of jamming within.
Opening the night with “Mr. Action,” guitarist Rick Mitarotonda built the catchy tune to a series of peaks before multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach led the quintet through the first “Doc Brown” since September 29, 2022 (50 shows). An unusually long gap for a song that was a regular setlist staple, the crowd responded with great enthusiasm for the return of the doctor. There’s an old adage in the Goose community about shows with “Doc Brown” as the second song of the first set being above average, and last night proved it correct.
The synthed-out arrangement of “Indian River” was tapped next and featured a bright Prophet-6 synthesizer solo from Anspach ahead of the band diving deep into the “Welcome to Delta” jam. Sections led by both Anspach and Mitarotonda gave way to a surprise bust out of Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island” for the first time since December 5, 2019 (213 shows).
The set continued with a concise “Atlas Dogs” that – as always – put drummer Ben Atkind’s fluidity and chops on full display. “Time to Flee” came up next and saw the first Type II excursion of the night. While it was relatively short at only 12 minutes long, the “Flee” hinted at themes that would dominate the second set – shorter jams that covered multiple themes efficiently.
Leaving “Flee” unfinished, Goose closed the set with a rocking rendition of “Pancakes.” Departing the usual jam for a major-key sequence, Mitarotonda flew for the skies and absolutely demolished the ending of the song.
As the lights dropped for the second set, bassist Trevor Weekz emerged under a spotlight onstage to the “Superman” theme song as he flew “Sbarro the Muscle Milk Man” around. With zero context behind the miniature superhero, the crowd was still captured by the majesty of Weekz’s mischievous smile as he leaped around the stage.
The rest of the band emerged and launched into the groovy “Into the Myst” to kick off the second frame. Anspach laid down some beautiful layers of Vintage Vibe electric piano during the jam as the rhythm section held steady in a zone of patience. A fiery finish to “Myst” saw the band jump into the power ballad “Everything Must Go.” The well-written Mitarotonda/Matt Campbell tune had been flirting with extended jamming during its last few performances and this second-set placement was the perfect opportunity to make it happen. Dropping with intent into a minor-key space, Atkind and percussionist Jeff Arevalo locked in on some dual-kit action that really propelled the improvisation as Mitarotonda shredded over top.
Closing with a series of white-light peaks, Goose delivered their cover of Blind Melon’s “No Rain” next. Anspach returned to the Vintage Vibe as the ensuing jam offered an amazing juxtaposition to the hard-charging and energetic peaks of “Everything Must Go.” Patience abounded as Mitarotonda laid down some beautiful rhythmic work and Weekz’s bombs shook the foundations of the venue. Anspach briefly teased “Dark Star” as the jam dissolved into a pretty space with lots of gentle textures from all band members.
“Hungersite” was up next and would be the longest jam of the show. Once again locking in on a fast and hard-charging theme, Goose had the packed ELM dancing hard for each successive peak. With a quick glance at the clock, a beautifully concise “Madhuvan” was chosen as the set closer. Moving from a brief textured space to a major key and back to the main explosive peak in just 12 minutes, the quintet demonstrated that while they have been experimenting with long-form and patience-based improvisation on the tour so far, they are capable of going in the opposite direction entirely.
Encoring with an appropriate “Doobie Song” as the clock struck midnight, Arevalo remarked, “Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em” in honor of the 4/20 holiday.
Goose tour continues on Friday night in Boise. Livestreams are available for free to nugs.net subscribers.
Setlist (via El Göose.net)
Set One: Mr. Action, Doc Brown, Indian River[1] -> Cantaloupe Island[2], Atlas Dogs > Time to Flee[3] > Pancakes
Set Two: Into The Myst, Everything Must Go, No Rain[4], Hungersite, Madhuvan
Encore: Doobie Song
Notes:
- [1] 80s synth version. With Welcome to Delta jam.
- [2] Herbie Hancock.
- [3] Unfinished.
- [4] Blind Melon. With Dark Star tease from Peter.
- Doc Brown was played for the first time since September 29, 2022 (50 shows).
- Cantaloupe Island was played for the first time since December 5, 2019 (213 shows).
- Before the second set, Trevor came out and flew “Sbarro the Muscle Milk Man” around the stage while the Superman theme played.
