Viva El Gonzo, Goose’s inaugural destination festival, kicked off on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Held in San Jose del Cabo, California Baja Sur, Mexico, the premises contained three different stages, each having a unique setup and character. Nestled around Puerto Los Cabos, the event grounds offered sweeping views of the ocean, bamboo lined sandy trails, and a relaxing warm atmosphere.
Andy Frasco and the UN launched the festivities on the Crania stage in fitting fashion. This middle tier platform was located next to the El Ganzo Hotel Beach Club and offered a one of a kind aura mixing industrial design with ocean views. This included a backdrop of old heavy equipment and reclaimed materials. Frasco and his band brought their high energy rock to the excited afternoon crowd like only they can.
The music continued over at the Round Rocks stage, which was the smallest of the three stages. Located just outside the main venue entrance, this natural amphitheater was framed by three massive elevated rock formations that create unique viewing levels around the 360 degree podium. The setup combined both an intimate feel with an expansive setting. The first artist to debut here was none other than Mihali. He brought his saxophonist from Mihali and Friends, Mike Oehman. They combined guitars, live backing loops and saxophone to set the perfect vibe for the scorching late afternoon sun.
From there, the music moved to the Main Stage for Dogs in a Pile. The Asbury Park, NJ based quintet delivered a fun, musically vibrant set that included tasty originals like 'Look Johnny' and 'Go Set.' The latter featured a tasty segue into 'Dancing in the Streets.' 'Chop Shop' was another notable song in the line up.
The folk rock band Dawes was up next on the Main Stage, and provided the soundtrack to the sun setting over the beautiful festival grounds. Their early afternoon set was a change of pace from the jam brand genre. While they can deliver sprawling jams, they kept the set more laid back with selections including 'Front Row Seat,' 'Feed the Fire,' and set closer 'When My Time Comes.'
Following Dawes, the party moved back to Crania for Tycho’s live band set. The mood and feeling of Crania were in full effect after the sun went down, as the lighting design around the grounds on the old equipment and materials brought the unique environment to life. The band served up some chill dance music with a backdrop of amazing visuals on the triangle screen behind them. This served as the perfect precursor to the heat that was yet to come.
That heat manifested on the Main stage in the form of two smoking hot sets from festival host, Goose. They charged out of the gates with a fourteen minute 'Drive.' The jam featured a dual guitar synergy from guitarist Rick Mitarotonda and multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach that segued into new tune 'Your Direction.' Played for only the second time ever, this song was part of their recent release, Everything Must Go. Clocking in at just over seventeen minutes, the tune had a disco feel provided by drummer Cotter Ellis before dissolving into a bit of an ambient jam. The quartet then built the jam back up to the disco beat, driven by Mitarotonda’s soaring guitar licks. The band smoothly dissolved into a melodic rendition of 'Lead Up.'
The upbeat 'Turned Clouds' proceeded and was spotlighted by Mitarotondo’s bluesy guitar work. Anspach complimented the intensity on the Hammond B3 organ. He then welcomed Mihali onto the stage to collaborate on an excellent and accurate cover of Nirvana’s 'In Bloom,' from the landmark album, Nevermind. This well known grunge song entered Goose's repertoire for the first time, and was unquestionably uplifted by Mihali's vocals.
Next, the Connecticut based band dropped into another first timer that was also a brand new song to close out the first set titled 'Torero.' The number had a funky feel, and featured dual guitar leads by Mitarotonda and Anspach that were reminiscent of the Allman Brothers Band. As the band broke out of the song structure, the melody went dark. All four members shined through out, including bassist Trevor Weekz. The band brought the music back to the 'Torero,' and ended the set on a high note.
After a quick break, the band returned, but not without remembering to bring a bottle of Mexican tequila on stage. Once again, this band surprised fans with a stellar cover of Christopher Cross' 'Ride Like The Wind.' The 'take me to the border of Mexico' lyrics were quite appropriate. This yacht rock classic included a layered jam that brightened many faces. A dark transition followed and brought fans 'Into the Myst,' complete with 'Tequilla' teases. This twenty one minute version saw elevated peaks along with a subsequent rolling jam driven by Ellis' dynamic drumming.
The music softened as the boys flowed into 'Give It Time,' another track from Everything Must Go. This inspiring song brought a mesmerizing build up that ended with vigor. 'Fish in the Sea' by Fat Freddy's Drop had an edgy trance jam that can only be described as lit. The minor chords continued into 'Big Modern!,' which closed out Goose's performance with an evil vibe.
The festivities rolled on at Crainia with another band from the Constitution State: Eggy. The foursome delivered a raging 'Must Come Down' > 'Razi' > 'Smile,' before they were joined by Mitarotonda on guitar. They dove into Paul Simon's 'You Can Call Me Al,' and which was certainly a performance for the ages with the incredible visuals.
DJ LP Giobbi ended the night at Crainia with her notable Dead House set. The hard working Mitarotonda hopped on stage during the last segment of her thumping performance, and collaborated on a medley of songs that sailed fans into the wee hours of the night.
Day One featured delicious and galvanized music, along with breezy beach feels and plenty of Mexican beer. Stay tuned for more coverage of Viva El Gonzo.
If you were unable to attend this epic festival, fear not. Goose is back on tour very soon, including an appearance at Bottlerock Napa Valley on May 25 and a two night stand at The Masonic in San Francisco on May 27-28. Tickets are available via this link. Visit their tour page for more details on the rest of their summer tour.
View more photos from Day One at Viva El Gonzo via photographer Killahwave, also known as Jamie Huenefeld.
Date: May 8, 2025
Festival: Viva El Gonzo
Location: San Juan Del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Band: Dogs in a Pile
Set: Didn't You Know?, Burning Daylight, Look Johnny, Go Set > Dancing in the Street[1] > Go Set, Chop Shop, EDM Song > Bubble[2]
Notes:
[1] Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
[2] Ending only
Band: Goose
Set One: Drive[1] -> Your Direction > Lead Up, Turned Clouds, In Bloom[2], Torero[3]
Set Two: Ride Like The Wind[4] -> Into the Myst[5] > Give it Time, Fish In The Sea[6], Big Modern!
Notes:
[1] Unfinished.
[2] Nirvana. FTP. With Mihali Savoulidis on guitar on vocals.
[3] FTP.
[4] Christopher Cross. FTP.
[5] Unfinished. With Tequila teases.
[6] Fat Freddy’s Drop.
Band: Eggy
Set: Trixieville, Woah There, Must Come Down -> Razi -> Smile, You Can Call Me Al[1]
Coach's Notes:
[1] With Rick on guitar.
