Boston's music scene is gearing up for a three-night run from Connecticut's jam-rock luminaries, Goose, who are billed to perform at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway from September 2-4. The concerts mark a significant moment for the band, not only because they're playing in Boston with their current lineup but also due to the addition of Massachusetts native, drummer Cotter Ellis, who joined earlier this year, following the departure of founding member Ben Atkind due to "Creative differences," as Rick Mitarotonda divulged in an interview with Boston.com.
The band, known for their improvisational prowess and infectious charisma, has rooted itself into the niches once occupied by legendary acts like Phish and The Grateful Dead, yet while acknowledging such influences Goose has crafted a distinct auditory path of their own, drawing inspiration from a gamut of genres—Rick Mitarotonda, in an interaction with Boston.com, mentioned listening "to a lot of older music — old jazz, Phish, Dead— but listening to bands like Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver was a big door-opening for me," laying down the foundation for what he envisioned a Fleet Foxes jam band might sound like.
Despite the lineup change, Goose has not missed a beat, continuing to win over both old school jam fanatics and indie aficionados alike; notably, their cover of Vampire Weekend's '2021' came with a personal recommendation from Ezra Koenig, frontman of the indie rock band itself, Goose kept pushing the boundaries of their sound as the six studio albums under their belt testify—the most recent being 2023's 'Autumn Crossing'. They bring that eclectic sound to live audiences once again, hitting the road with an extensive tour schedule reminiscent of the itinerant traditions of their jam band forefathers, according to a synopsis provided by Boston Theater.
Off the stage, fans can capture a glimpse of the band's jovial spirit, with their social media splashed with comedic skits and parodies, reflecting the kind of humor you'd expect from a group that's serious about not taking itself too seriously; their Instagram feed is testament, brimming with snippets that include Peter Anspach's portrayal of a professor expounding on extraterrestrials and Cotter Ellis channeling an Irish TV host named Sheamus O’Larry, and who can overlook "Riker – The Compete Season 1,” featuring Mitarotonda clad in a classic "Miami Vice" jacket whilst delivering infomercial-style comedic inquiries. It's a blend of lightheartedness and nostalgia, a vibe that harkens back to what the Vermont Gen Xers from Phish might've conjured if the digital landscape of the '80s could have sustained the viral mechanics of today's Instagram humor, as described in an interview with Boston.com.
Goose, a prominent jam band from Connecticut, brings more than music to Boston; they embody the community and collaborative spirit of the genre. They offer free shows and have a large collection of performances on YouTube for fans who can’t attend live or want to revisit their music. Goose is ready to share their unique sound and energy with Boston as they prepare for their next big performance.
