Goose returned to New York’s Madison Square Garden last night, kicking off a two-show stand at the famed venue. These gigs mark the Connecticut-bred group’s third and fourth appearances at the World’s Most Famous Arena, following a set at the 2024 Soulshine benefit and last spring’s headlining debut.

As one of the first concerts at MSG since the Knicks won the NBA championship last weekend, there was a celebratory feeling in the air and, for many, the concert seemed to continue the excitement of the previous day’s parade through the Canyon of Heroes. Goose tapped into that spirit from the start and played audio of both the Knicks anthem “Go New York Go” and news clips about their recent victory on the house PA at the top of their show. Keyboardist/guitarist Peter Anspach also wore a Knicks jersey during the night.

After taking the stage, Goose kicked things off with an extended take on their own “Thatch,” which recalled a similarly improvisationally minded beginning to last year’s MSG play. From there, they moved into “Borne,” which then segued into their first live reading of “POP,” a track off their new release BIG MODERN! The quartet then paused for a moment and proceeded to debut a second BIG MODERN! song, “Peach.” The emotive sequence of “Seekers on the Ridge pt I > Seekers on the Ridge pt II” and the fast version of “Echo of a Rose” closed the set.

Goose’s second set commenced with back-to-back versions of “Pancakes” and “Into the Myst.” During the latter tune, New York woodwinds player Stuart Bogie, known for his time with Antibalas and work with everyone from Arcade Fire to Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, emerged and remained onstage for the rest of the set. That extended sequence consisted of a segue into another BIG MODERN! cut, “Good2B” and “Elmeg The Wise” as well as the set-closing “The Empress Of Organos.” (Bogie first worked with Goose on their 2022 album Dripfield, connecting through producer D. James Goodwin, and has since become a regular presence at their New York appearances and other large-scale shows.) The members of Goose then returned for a single-song encore, their popular cover of Jim James’ solo cut “State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.),” which they started playing live in 2020.

Goose will return to MSG this evening.

Here’s a look at last night’s setlist via El Goose.net

Friday, June 19, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Set 1: Thatch, Borne -> POP[1], Savenger[1], Peach[2], Seekers on the Ridge pt I > Seekers on the Ridge pt II, Echo of a Rose[3]

Set 2: Pancakes, Into the Myst[4] -> Good2B[5] -> Elmeg The Wise[5], The Empress Of Organos[5]

Encore: State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.)[6]

Coach’s Notes:

    [1] FTP.

    [2] Future Islands.

    [3] Fast version.

    [4] Unfinished. With Stuart Bogie on woodwinds.

    [5] With Stuart Bogie on woodwinds.

    [6] Jim James.