Goose returned to Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in Cleveland, OH, on June 19, 2025, to kick off what proved to be an electrifying two-night stand. Performances by the band in Ohio have been dubbed “Show-hio,” as they always rise to the occasion in the Buckeye State. This first night was no exception, with the group delivering a handful of infrequently played tunes along with a four-song, second-set throwdown.
The band came out of the gates hot with the Latin-inspired Sérgio Mendes classic “Mas Que Nada.” Because this cover is usually slipped in mid-set rather than deployed as a jammed-out opener, the choice was a welcome surprise. The surprises kept coming when the band invited crew member Jon “Coach” Lombardi onstage to shake a rainstick during “Honey Bee.” Written by multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach, this mellow tune has seen reduced playtime over the past couple of years despite once being a set-list staple, yet the crowd’s exuberance never wavered.
Next came the new, funky blues-rock vehicle “Torero,” which scorched for a twenty-four-minute jam peppered with more Latin-tinged passages. Drummer Cotter Ellis showcased his range with dynamically shifting beats as his bandmates ventured into Type II territory. Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda sealed the journey with face-melting fireworks.
“Hot Love & The Lazy Poet” leapt in next. We asked the band to work this tune into heavier rotation—apparently they were listening. Though short and sweet tonight, it still featured a crisp Ellis drum break.
Energy dipped a notch for “Mr. Action,” written for the ever-versatile Lombardi, who over the years has served as tour manager, hype man, and all-around fixer. Fittingly, he was in the photo pit running a video camera for the Nugs.net stream while the song played in his honor.
Another rarity followed with “The Labyrinth,” performed for only the eleventh time and not heard since December 31, 2024, at Austin’s Moody Center. Bassist Trevor Weekz owned the low end throughout this Latin-flavored excursion. Mitarotonda wove in prog-rock peaks and valleys before the band charged into a nineteen-minute “Hot Tea.” Weekz again took the reins as Anspach soared on synth, closing the first set on a triumphant note—“Show-hio” in full effect.
The Constitution State quartet returned for set two and dove straight into “Madhuvan,” with Anspach dialing up clavinet funk. The jam drifted into a dark, indie-groove space until Mitarotonda’s blazing guitar brought the room back into the light. A soulful “Atlas Dogs” followed.
A well-executed segue steered the band into the jam vehicle “Into the Myst.” This nineteen-minute monster turned euphonious fast, powered by locked-in bass and drums, and even featured a cheeky “Magic School Bus” tease from Anspach. After a soaring build-up led by Mitarotonda, the group slipped back into “Myst,” then capped the set with a raging “Hungersite,” Weekz again at the helm while Anspach painted colors across the keys.
For the encore Goose dusted off the reggae-infused “Doobie Song,” last played September 4, 2024, in Boston—a seventy-one-show gap. A vibrant segue returned the band to a rip-roaring “Madhuvan” reprise, sending Night One in the Forest City out with a bang.
Goose is closing out their summer tour this week, with shows in Gilford, NH and New Haven, CT, along with their first headline performance at Madison Square Garden on June 28. Afterwards, they will make appearances at the Newport Folk Festival, Park City Song Summit, and the Harvest Music Festival. Their fall tour commences with dates in Iowa City, IA, The Gorge in George, WA, Burlington, VT, Madison, WI and more. Head on over to their tour page for more details on these shows and more.
Check out more photos from night one at the Jacobs Pavilion! Also, view our prior coverage of the Goose summer tour from Fiddler's Green (review) and San Francisco (review/photos).
Band: Goose
Location: Cleveland, OH
Venue: Jacobs Pavilion
Date: June 19, 2025
Set One: Mas Que Nada[1], Honeybee[2], Torero, Hot Love & The Lazy Poet, Mr. Action, The Labyrinth > Hot Tea[3]
Set Two: Madhuvan -> Atlas Dogs -> Into the Myst[4], Hungersite
Encore: Doobie Song > Madhuvan
Coach's Notes:
[1] Sergio Mendes.
[2] With Coach on rainstick.
[3] With Workin’ Day and Night teases.
[4] Unfinished. With Magic School Bus Theme tease from Peter.
