Show Review - Goose 10/31/24 St. Petersburg, FL

Running Up That Dripfield

Goose tour continued last night with a Halloween blowout as the band celebrated the costumed holiday for the first time since 2021. Continuing their years-long tradition of soundtrack themes, we were treated to a Stranger Things-infused show that saw numerous debuts to make up a blast of a show.

Coming on stage to the eerie theme from the show, the band emerged in costume; Peter as Dustin Henderson (clean-shaven!), Rick as Steve Harrington, Trevor as Billy Hargrove, Jeff as Sheriff Jim Hopper, and Cotter as Eleven. 

Taking advantage of the fact that it was their first Halloween show since the debut of “Dr. Darkness,” the band pulled the on-theme track to open the first set proper before revving up the energy with a raucous “Yeti.” “Silver Rising,” another 2022 debut that fit the theme, kept things moving – unfortunately, speculation on a performance of the full Werewolf Saga (rounded out by “Atlas Dogs” and “How it Ends”) proved to be fruitless.

“Wysteria Lane” came off the bench after its longest gap since early 2023 for our first dose of extended jamming – a few minutes of OB-6-drenched play led by Anspach before things picked up and segued into “Psycho Killer,” marking just the second known performance by Goose and first since November 23, 2016. Ellis handled lead vocals on the Talking Heads tune (and crushed it) before the bad revved into Michael Sembello’s “Maniac.”

At this point in the set, the band’s excitement was palpable both in the music and the fervor with which they were playing, giving their all into the theme – and the first set’s closing “Madhuvan” sandwich with “Wipeout” inside was a blistering high-speed ride through surf-rock and then a more typical runaway freight train conclusion. For good measure, there’s some HEAVY teasing of Billy Joel’s “You May Be Right” in the second “Madhuvan,” because why not?

While the first set was good, the second set was when things turned into an all-out epic dance party with the Goose debut of “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record).” This is a song that I believe should find a home as a permanent part of the cover rotation – and of course, it has some evident jam potential for the future.

“Arrow” brought forth the second excellent sandwich of the show, coasting atop Ellis’ flowing beat through a Type 1.5 hose-bliss section before landing in “Running Up That Hill.” This was a well-anticipated cover as probably the best-known feature of the Stranger Things soundtrack, and Mitarotonda more than delivered on the vocal performance before leading the band through a vicious primal jam that would have felt right at home in a “Dripfield.” More of this, please!

“Creatures” kept the dance party vibes going ahead of a set-closing “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” expanding Goose’s Tears For Fears cover rotation further.

Wrapping things up nicely with a reprise of the Stranger Things theme to begin the encore, Goose uncorked an EXPLOSIVE 8-minute “The Empress of Organos” to squeeze in a closer before the hard 10pm curfew.

Halloween shows are rarely about the depth of jamming or huge improvisational journeys like other nights, and last night was perfectly executed in my opinion – six cover debuts, on-theme original songs, and incredible energy throughout with a perfect encapsulation of Goose’s unique Halloween traditions. I sincerely hope it’s not another three years until the next one!

Tour continues tonight with the first of two shows in St. Augustine – with the big themed show out of the way, the band is free to let loose and play whatever they want for the next couple of nights, and I have a feeling we’re going to be in for an incredible couple of shows. Livestreams are available exclusively for nugs subscribers.