Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on 2026-06-23
Goose returned to Madison Square Garden on June 19, 2026, for the first of two sold-out headlining performances at the World's Most Famous Arena. The milestone run featured the live debuts of two songs from the band's newly released studio album, Big Modern!, a welcomed second-set appearance by woodwind specialist Stuart Bogie, and the type of ambitious improvisation that has helped propel Goose to arena status.
Before taking the stage at Madison Square Garden on June 19, Goose leaned fully into the New York spirit. The PA played highlights from the New York Knicks' recent NBA Finals championship run, followed by the familiar strains of "Go New York Go." Keyboardist Peter Anspach added to the hometown energy by sporting a throwback 1990s-era Knicks Starter jacket.
Following the celebratory introduction, Goose stormed onto the stage and immediately swung for the fences with "Thatch." Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda unleashed blistering blues-rock guitar work, fired off laser-precise licks as the sold-out crowd roared in approval.
The melodic "Borne" followed. Drummer Cotter Ellis delivered resonant, powerful drumming as the band settled into a soaring indie-groove excursion. Bassist Trevor Weekz stitched the emotional jam together, anchoring a performance that stretched for eighteen minutes before seamlessly morphing into a disco-funk groove. That infectious pocket ultimately gave birth to the debut of "POP," the first song performed from Goose's newly released studio album, *Big Modern!*, which arrived on June 12, 2026. Penned by Anspach, "POP" blended bubbly pop sensibilities with darker, edgier guitar textures. While the concise debut left fans wanting more, it offered an enticing glimpse into the song's future live potential.
Following the tune's conclusion, Anspach checked in with the crowd before introducing another *Big Modern!* debut, "Savenger." The song carried a distinct 1980s yacht-rock flavor and featured several meticulously executed composed passages. Anspach expertly navigated between synthesizer textures and piano tones, adding depth throughout. A fluid transition highlighted by forceful strumming from Mitarotonda guided the band into "Peach," a Future Islands cover that was making just its fourth appearance in Goose's live repertoire. Anspach soon returned to the synthesizer, infusing the jam with a trance-like atmosphere before the music gradually folded into "Seekers on the Ridge Part I."
"Seekers on the Ridge Part II" naturally followed and landed with exceptional force on this evening. Weekz continued to shine on bass, once again serving as the connective tissue that held the improvisation together while Mitarotonda unleashed wave after wave of face-melting guitar work.
Without warning, the band brilliantly dropped into the fast version of "Echo of a Rose." Anspach pivoted to the clavinet and significantly intensified the funk quotient. Although comparatively brief by the song's standards, the thirteen-minute rendition packed plenty of punch and sent the first set to intermission on a high note.
Goose returned for the second frame and served up a generous helping of "Pancakes" for the musically hungry audience. The band settled into a soothing, melodic groove as Mitarotonda cooked up another round of inspired exploration while Ellis propelled the music forward from behind the kit. The group subtly drifted toward "Into the Myst" before dramatically accelerating the tempo.
At that point, woodwind specialist and New York City resident Stuart Bogie quietly joined the band on clarinet. After memorable recent appearances at Viva El Gonzo and Goosemas 2025, Bogie required little introduction. Anspach switched to guitar while Weekz injected the jam with both heat and an unmistakable EDM flavor. Bogie, meanwhile, steered the improvisation toward jazzier territory.
A stellar segue delivered the quintet into "Good2B," another selection from Big Modern! and its first appearance during the 2026 summer tour. Bogie traded the clarinet for the saxophone as Anspach's keyboard textures amplified the song's unmistakable 1980s pop aesthetic. The energetic fifteen-minute version burst with enthusiasm, much like Ellis' exclamation-point earrings.
The music then gave way to "Elmeg the Wise," a rare original that brought smiles to countless faces throughout the Garden, last played in Asheville, NC on April 10, 2026. Bogie switched to flute, which lent a whimsical quality to the composed sections. Mitarotonda executed the song's signature tension-and-release passages flawlessly during the expansive fifteen-minute performance.
Another seamless transition carried the band into "The Empress of Organos." Bogie elevated the vibrant composition with late-night saxophone flourishes while lighting director Andrew Goedde bathed the stage in pink and yellow hues. The jam eventually circled back toward disco-funk territory before veering into a dark, goonz exploration that ultimately stood as the highlight of the evening.
After a brief exit, Goose returned for an encore of Jim James' "State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.)." The selection carried additional significance, as Mitarotonda had recently joined My Morning Jacket in San José del Cabo for a collaborative rendition of the song.
Goose will continue its summer run with a two-night stand at Firefly Distillery in Charleston, SC (June 23-24). The band will then roll into Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, NC (June 26-27), followed by a stop at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD (June 28). The Northeast stretch will continue with two nights at Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA (June 30-July 1) and a New Jersey appearance at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ (July 2). Goose will then land at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY (July 3-4), with The Disco Biscuits joining the bill on July 3 and moe. on July 4. Next up, the band will head west for shows in San Diego, CA (Aug. 13), Los Angeles, CA (Aug. 14), Stanford, CA (Aug. 15), Reno, NV (Aug. 16), Vancouver, BC (Aug. 18), and Seattle, WA (Aug. 19). Head on over to their tour page for more details on these shows and more.
Check out more photos from the show!
Band: Goose
Location: New York, NY
Venue: Madison Square Garden
Date: June 19, 2026
Set One: 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 Two: 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]
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.
