Goose Announce Viva El Gonzo, Inaugural Destination Event with The War on Drugs, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Dawes, LA LOM and More
In June, Goose made waves with a highly publicized cryptic announcement: “Buy the ticket, take the ride.” These words, written by Hunter S. Thompson in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, were speculated to be related to a potential concert getaway, a recent institution for bands of Goose’s caliber. Today, the indie groove stars have confirmed suspicions with the grand unveiling of Viva El Gonzo, their inaugural destination event, set to stage from May 8-10 of next year in San José del Cabo, Mexico.
While Goose’s first festival follows the early months flyaway format of other jam scene favorites like Phish’s Riviera Maya, The String Cheese Incident’s The Mexico Incident and Gov’t Mule’s Island Exodus, Viva El Gonzo is distinguished by its scale and customizable program. The festival is centered around three nights of performances, with 6 sets from Goose and an eclectic mix of 13 other high-profile acts including The War on Drugs, Tycho, Dawes, LA LOM, LP Giobbi and more. Offstage, attendees will have their pick of 12 residences, from boutique stays to luxurious resorts, each offering their own range of amenities and adventures with tickets in a single transaction.
All hotels are within five miles of the main festival grounds at Cabo’s El Gazo Oasis, the lushly vegetated and scenic tropical preserve surrounded by the city’s rich cultural heritage. The venue will host multiple stages, wellness-oriented events and activities and a vibrant array of craft and culinary vendors, just steps from the Sea of Cortez. After hours, the action will move on to Crania, a beachside club to be decked of in neon-drenched post-apocalyptic theming.
“We’re stoked to be headlining Viva El Gonzo in such a beautiful spot like San José del Cabo,” says frontman Rick Mitarotonda in a release. “This festival is going to be something special—a chance for us and our fans to dive into the music, the vibe, and the incredible surroundings. We’ve got some wild stuff planned, and we’re really looking forward to sharing this adventure with everyone who takes the ride with us.”
A presale for travel packages to Viva El Gonzo will open on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. ET; fans can get access by registering now at vivaelgonzo.com. General on-sale will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. ET.
Watch Goose’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas inspired announcement video below.