Goose Kick Off New Year’s Formal Affair in Austin with “Low Rider” Debut
Photo Credit: Stevo Rood
2024 has been good to Goose.
In the past 12 months, the pioneering indie groove quintet has seen countless landmark moments, including the introduction of drummer Cotter Ellis, the announcement of their first-ever concert getaway in Mexico, their longest headline tour to date and the releases of Ted Tapes II, Live at the Fox Theatre, Orebolo’s debut album The Chateau and more. Among the band’s brightest highlights were recent high-profile stagings like their Stranger Things-themed Halloween event, the bingo antics of Goosemas XI and their set in the SOULSHINE benefit at Madison Square Garden. Last night, the band met their high standard for special occasions as they kicked off their first annual New Year’s Formal Affair at Austin, Texas’ Moody Center.
Goose began their year end festivities to the tune of “Big Modern!,” the new track that has become a setlist staple since its debut at their fall tour kickoff in September. The quintet–all dressed in matching black tuxedos and masquerade masks–then bridged into “Animal” before presenting the moody, anthemic fan favorite “Dr. Darkness,” which gave frontman Rick Mitarotonda an early opportunity to shine on guitar. “Draconian Meter Maid,” another recent addition to the catalog, took the band into “Silver Rising,” then the longtime jam vehicle “Jive II” set up the set-closing “Arrow,” which brought high peaks with its bubbling, surfy grooves and a soulful solemnity with its stripped down conclusion.
Goose returned to the stage with a rare second set feature for “Hot Love & The Lazy Poet,” then cruised into “Arcadia,” which continues to be a hallmark of the band’s live performances eight years after appearing on their debut album Moon Cabin. After “Red Bird,” the band added to its arsenal with the premiere cover of WAR’s 1975 classic “Low Rider,” making the song all their own with a dazzling, spaced out jam that pushed ten minutes and flowed seamlessly into a set-ending cover of Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman.” For an encore, the band served up “Give It Time,” once again highlighting the wealth of new material we’re bound to see more of in 2025.
Goose will ring in the new year tonight with another show at Austin, Texas’ Moody Center; find tickets here. Stream the Formal Affair’s grand finale at nugs.net.
Goose
Moody Center – Austin, Texas
12/30/24
Set I: Big Modern! → Animal, Dr. Darkness, Draconian Meter Maid > Silver Rising, Jive II, Arrow
Set II: Hot Love & The Lazy Poet > Arcadia, Red Bird > Low Rider* → Sinnerman
Encore: Give it Time
Notes:
* Live debut of WAR’s “Low Rider”
