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Connecticut rock quintet Goose bid adieu to 2023 with the biggest shows of their career to date. The two-night sold-out 10th annual Goosemas run at the revered Hampton Coliseum delivered otherworldly performances that saw the band steer the full house through uncharted musical universes as they continued their cosmic voyage, exploring two brand-new Sonic realms – Bubble Planet Puffaria and Neon Jungle Planet Vivadora. Guided by a dazzling light show, the "mothership" delved deeper into Goose’s extensive repertoire and unveiled several never-before-played covers.
The concerts kicked off with the band's spaceship AI voice resonating over the PA system. Crowd-favorite track "Pancakes'' opened the set, quickly propelling bold, spirited improvisation. After seamlessly transitioning into the cannabis anthem "Doobie Song," the evening's first cover, Nena's 1983 hit "99 Red Balloons," was greeted with a sing-along and thunderous applause.
On the surface of Puffaria, Goose also unveiled the debut of Vampire Weekend’s “Big Blue,” before soaring into “Dripfield,” the eponymous track of their breakout 2022 album. The potent jam surged ahead with galactic exploration and was left unfinished. Live favorite "Red Bird" was next, and a mesmeric light display soared and kept the audience on their feet as the set closed with John Kellete's "I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles."
The weekend’s final set witnessed the mothership landing on Jungle Planet Vivadora, commencing with ELO’s “Jungle.” "Animal" pumped infectious energy into the crowd, leading to a high-voltage rendition of "Echo of a Rose." Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Run Through the Jungle” followed, and the blistering jam concluded with a return to "Echo of a Rose." Suddenly, the ship's AI detected an intruder, and the room exploded as local hero Bruce Hornsby took the stage.
After a dulcet keyboard intro, Hornsby steered the band into his 1986 classic “The Way It Is.” Guitarist/vocalist Rick Mitarotonda handled the first verse, while Hornsby captivated with the second verse, followed by a lively solo and call-and-response jam..
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