Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on 2026-04-23
Goose | St. Augustine, FL | April 19, 2026 | Photos by Jamie Huenefeld/Killahwave
Goose closed out their Florida run on April 19, 2026 in St. Augustine at the vibe filled St. Augustine Amphitheatre with a performance that felt both celebratory and deeply dialed in. Across two sets, the band balanced precision with exploration, and dove into extended improvisation yet maintained a strong sense of direction.
Set one opened with “All I Need,” from the Night Lights EP, and set a smooth and melodic tone. Peter Anspach added tasteful color on keys, while the band eased into a relaxed groove. That calm quickly evolved as Cotter Ellis gradually pulled the tempo back, allowing the music to dissolve into a seamless transition into “Electric Avenue” by Eddy Grant. The nine-minute version stretched comfortably, driven early by Trevor Weekz’s assertive bassline. The jam initially belonged to Weekz before guitarist Rick Mitarotonda pushed forward with a psychedelic lead, and Ellis’ intricate drumming brought the passage to a satisfying peak.
The reggae-leaning “Doc Brown” followed, with Anspach stepping into a vocal role while handling rhythm guitar instead of his usual synth work. The shift in instrumentation gave the tune a different texture, and the jam built steadily before Mitarotonda unleashed a sharp, high-energy solo. Notably, this was the first appearance of the song since Spokane, WA on May 31, 2025.
“Royal,” a newer blues rock entry from Chain Yer Dragons, came next. Though concise, the performance highlighted a thick, driving bass presence and hinted at the song’s improvisational potential. That thread continued into “Madalena,” another recent addition, which expanded into a seventeen-minute exploration that included a "Jed Stone" tease by Mitarotonda. Each member contributed meaningfully, with Weekz again standing out while locking in tightly with Mitarotonda’s aggressive phrasing.
“So Ready,” from Shenanigans Nite Club, closed the set with force. Anspach leaned heavily into the clavinet, giving the fourteen-minute version a punchy, rhythmic backbone. Ellis layered in textured percussion throughout, and Mitarotonda pushed the energy forward with a fiery, sustained lead that brought the first set to a powerful conclusion.
The second set picked up with “Animal,” from Everything Must Go, which had been cut the previous night, and added an extra level of anticipation in the crowd. One fan came prepared, and tossed tiny plastic bananas as the band launched into a sprawling twenty-minute version. Weekz again took command early, anchoring the jam, while Anspach dialed in piano-like synth tones. The improvisation expanded outward, as Mitarotonda wove together face melting progressive and blues rock ideas as layered percussion added depth.
“Borne,” from Dripfield, continued the momentum with another extended segment. Mitarotonda applied an echo effect to his vocals, adding a hazy texture before the band dropped into a groove-heavy, disco-leaning section that was quite possibly a type 2 jam. The bassline carried the movement as the rhythm gradually morphed, and eventually shifted into a more frenetic, jungle-inspired beat. The transition felt organic, with each player adjusting in real time as the jam evolved.
Without losing steam, the band stepped “Into the Myst.” Ellis drove the uptempo feel with precise drumming, while Anspach colored the arrangement on Hammond B3. Weekz remained a constant force, and Mitarotonda threaded together tight, controlled bursts of tension and release. The music eventually decelerated, opening space for a brief but notable turn into "Burn the Witch" by Radiohead, marking an overall second appearance since it’s Goosemas 2025 debut.
“Wysteria Lane,” another selection from the Night Lights EP and one of the band’s collaborative compositions between Weekz and Mitarotonda, followed with a melodic and exploratory feel. The jam unfolded patiently, with Mitarotonda leaning into soaring blues-driven lines before the tempo softened again.
That sense of transition carried directly into “Dripfield,” as a green, pink and blue lighting display from Andrew Goedde signaled the shift. Ellis’ resonant drumming filled the sonic space, while Anspach returned to guitar, and created a layered contrast alongside Mitarotonda. With curfew approaching, the band pushed forward urgently, and steered the jam into a high-energy, funk-infused peak that closed the set on a surge.
For the encore, Anspach took a moment to acknowledge the crowd and crew. He gave a shout out to Ellis’ apron-and-shorts outfit before expressing gratitude for the Florida run. The band then launched into “Turn On Your Love Light” by Bobby Blue Bland, which delivered a spirited, up-tempo performance. This was last played on October 2, 2025 in Richmond, VA. Mitarotonda led the charge, and traded phrases with Weekz and Anspach, who was once again on guitar, as the jam built into a final sequence of tight, escalating tension and release. This brought the night to an emphatic close.
Goose Spring tour wraps up this weekend with a three night run in the Lone Star State, starting in Houston on April 23, Austin on April 24 and Irving on April 25. The band will take a few days off before heading to San Jose del Cabo in Baja California Sur, Mexico for their second annual Viva El Gonzo. Afterwards, Goose will hop across the pond to Europe for their sure to be legendary second run. This begins with two nights in London, UK (May 22-23), a show in Brussels (May 25), and two nights in Amsterdam (May 27-28). On May 30, they stop in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by Paris (June 1), Berlin (June 3), and the Northside Festival in Viby, Denmark (June 5). They return to North America on June 13 with a jam packed summer tour, starting in Toronto. Two nights in Virginia Beach proceed on June 15-16, along with back-to-back shows at the storied Madison Square Garden in New York, NY on June 19-20. Shows in Charleston, SC, Raleigh, NC and Columbia, MD follow. Head on over to their tour page for more details about these dates and more.
Check out more photos from the show!
Band: Goose
Date: April 19, 2026
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Venue: St. Augustine Amphitheater
Set One: All I Need[1] -> Electric Avenue[2], Doc Brown, Royal > Madalena[3], So Ready
Set Two: Animal, Borne -> Into the Myst[4] > Burn The Witch[5], Wysteria Lane > Dripfield
Encore: Turn On Your Love Light[6]
Notes:
[1] Slow, melodic version. Unfinished.
[2] Eddy Grant.
[3] Vibes version. With Jed Stone tease from Rick.
[4] Unfinished.
[5] Radiohead.
[6] Bobby Blue Bland.
Set list via elgoose.net
