Review by Val Tapia
Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Venue: Arizona Financial Theatre (https://www.livenation.com/venue/KovZpZAEk7lA/arizona-financial-theatre-events )
Date: Wednesday June 4th, 2025
Let me begin by stating for the record, I had never heard of Connecticut-based indie rock band Goose until the last weekend in April. Literally.
Long and short of it, I woke up on April 26 and tuned into CBS Saturday Morning when the band was featured in an interview with senior culture and national correspondent Anthony Mason.
Goose also played three new songs during the same broadcast for its popular, weekly segment called Saturday Sessions: Give It Time, Your Direction and Thatch, respectively.
Needless to say, it was perfect timing. The day before (April 25), Goose released its new album (and fourth full-length studio album overall), Everything Must Go. I then received notice of a summer tour two days later.
Next thing I knew, I was assigned to review their show in downtown Phoenix on June 4 at Arizona Financial Theatre.
The thing that was a little surprising about this show is they’re doing what’s being billed as An Evening with Goose. In other words, no opening act.
To that point, they made the most of the “evening with” format on Wednesday night that, arguably, rarely happens to artists with “only” four studio albums to their name. By the way, that was clearly to the delight of the (mostly) Gen Y and Z audience.
Goose kicked off its whopping 3-hour, 10-minute set (Note: there was a 30-minute intermission in-between the two 80-minute sets) with a song called Hot Love & The Lazy Poet.
The current incarnation of Goose consists of founding members Rick Mitarotonda (lead vocals, guitar) and bassist Trevor Weekz, with co-vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist Peter Anspach and drummer Cotter Ellis rounding out the exceptional group of young musicians.
If someone asked me to describe this band, I would probably say that they look like they could be in Weezer. But they play like they could be in Phish, or perhaps Dave Matthews Band.
I would also call their sound quirky, specifically a song like Time To Flee (from their 2020 EP Night Lights). In fact, I believe they played it twice in the first set. I can’t say I see that happen very often, if at all.
I suppose what sets Goose apart from some of its “alt-rock” contemporaries are the diverse influences from which the band’s sound is derived from.
To that end, my editor Fred Kuhlman (who also photographed the show) said he heard quite a bit of “progressive rock” elements, specifically citing Genesis in his assertion of the first set.
Presumably, I’m guessing he was referring to the epic Seekers On The Ridge (Pt. I and II). To my ears, it reminded me more of something The Grateful Dead would write. But I digress.
While the music comes first for the members of Goose, and rightly so, they did have a somewhat “interesting” light show. It was as though they were aiming for something similar to what boomers may have seen at the Fillmore East (or West, take your pick) in the late 60s and early 70s.
The first set concluded with Hungersite, from 2022’s Dripfield. For good or bad, it sounds like they were listening to too many Foofighters albums when they recorded that song. But again, I digress.
Interestingly, given that Goose is touring behind a new album, there weren’t any songs played from Everything Must Go. Perhaps they’re slowly working that material in as the tour progresses.
With Wysteria Lane opening the second 80-minute set, the audience of roughly 3000 or so was ready for more… jamming. For better and worse.
Apparently, they did a cover of The Beatles’ Tomorrow Never Knows. I hate to admit it, but I honestly didn’t even recognize it! Dare I say, I don’t think the majority of the audience did either. There was very little response to it if I recall correctly.
Concluding the main set with a 25-minute version of the 7-minute Dripfield was, frankly, too much. No doubt it was the night’s segment of self-indulgence.
For the 13th (and final) song of the night, they did a fantastic rendition of The Way it Is, by Bruce Hornsby and The Range. With an extended piano solo, Goose did justice to a timeless classic, not to mention one of the top 100 pop singles of the 80s. Period.
Overall, I have to say that Goose was impressive– for the most part. Speaking candidly though, I’ve never really understood the jam aesthetic, if you will.
Yes, I appreciate the musicianship behind it. But if the songs aren’t there, an individual’s prowess on their instrument of choice means nothing to me. My opinion, mind you.
The final verdict of An Evening With Goose? I’ll give it four out of five stars. But… not for the reason you might think.
Despite the band’s seemingly endless jamming onstage, I do respect Goose immensely for performing a 3-hour set, as well as their non-wavering and uncompromising commitment to their art. Two thumbs-up for them on that.
With their loyal (and growing) audience, I predict it’s only a matter of time before Goose will be doing full-scale arena tours. I’m confident that it’ll be well worth the wait— for the band and its fans.
GOOSE
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2025, All Rights Reserved
