Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on 2026-04-21
Goose | Clearwater, FL | April 17, 2026 | Photos by Jamie Huenefeld/Killahwave
Goose returned to Florida on April 17, 2026 for a inspiring performance at the BayCare Sound in Clearwater that leaned heavily into extended improvisation and thoughtful sequencing. The show marked the band’s 24th appearance in Florida and just their fourth along the Gulf Coast, which gave the night a distinct sense of occasion before the music even began. This show was also the fourth in their Sunshine State run of six during the Spring 2026 tour.
The first set opened with “Big Modern!,” the title track from the band’s upcoming album BIG MODERN! scheduled for release in June. The jam settled into a steady indie groove early. Peter Anspach layered piano effects over synth textures, creating a contrast that played well against Rick Mitarotonda’s guitar work.
The band stayed patient, letting the idea breathe before gradually steering into “I’m Writing a Novel.” The Father John Misty cover carried a thicker, funk driven feel as Anspach leaned hard into the clavinet. The tone shifted without breaking momentum. That energy continued into “Mr. Action” from Chain Yer Dragon, where Mitarotonda pushed the intensity forward with sharper phrasing and confident lead work.
“Elizabeth” followed and stretched well beyond its typical structure. The song usually remained brief, but this version expanded past thirteen minutes, which placed it notably above its average runtime. Anspach established the clav early, and the jam section developed gradually. Trevor Weekz picked up steam as the improvisation deepened, while Cotter Ellis drove the cadence with precision. The middle section carried a sense of lift that felt earned rather than forced. The Clearwater version clocked in at over thirteen minutes, significantly longer than its average runtime. This tune was last heard on September 25, 2025 in Charlotte, NC, and both "Mr. Action" and "Elizabeth" were played for the first time in 2026.
“Seekers on the Ridge Part I” > "Seekers on the Ridge Part II" followed with careful execution. Mitarotonda’s guitar work traced the emotional arc of the paired compositions, and maintained clarity through intricate passages. The music then pivoted into “Peach,” a Future Islands cover that had only been performed once prior on September 20, 2025 in Chicago. The song fit the band’s style comfortably and landed as a natural extension of their indie leaning palette. The triumphant return gave added weight, especially for those tracking the band’s evolving catalog.
“Give It Time” from Everything Must Go closed the set with a more measured tone. The transition into the song drew a strong reaction from the crowd, many of whom responded to the emotional weight of Mitarotonda’s lyrics. The band built the ending patiently, and the energy in the room carried through the final notes with a celebratory finish.
The second set condensed the structure into five songs while expanding the improvisation. “Hungersite” from Dripfield crossed the sixteen minute mark and opened a deep jam. Mitarotonda moved with a calm confidence, almost surgical in his phrasing, while Anspach wove melodic lines through the keys. Weekz worked to anchor the movement, keeping the jam cohesive as it evolved.
The band shifted into “Rockdale,” also from Chain Yer Dragon, with a more angular feel. Mitarotonda explored space early while the rest of the band held the groove steady, creating a push and pull dynamic that kept the section engaging.
“Slow Ready” from Dripfield began in an ambient space. The bass and drums entered gradually, building toward the up tempo section. The band lifted the energy in stages, and by the time the groove fully locked in, the room had followed them there. The transition felt loose, and there was a sense that the band brushed up against “In Your Eyes” before fully committing to it.
“In Your Eyes” became the centerpiece of the night. The version stretched past twenty one minutes and stood as one of the longest performances in the set. The jam moved into darker territory early, driven by Weekz on bass, before opening into a psychedelic section shaped by both guitar and keys. The band built the tension carefully, then pushed into a heavier blues rock sequence. During this stretch, lighting designer Andrew Goedde draped a vivid rainbow tiger print tapestry behind the band and on the underside of the tarp over the pavilion, which added a visual layer that matched the intensity of the music.
The group eased into a brief ambient passage before launching into “Thatch," from Everything Must Go. This continued the momentum with an eighteen minute performance that blended blues rock with progressive rock phrasing. The crowd stayed fully engaged as the band leaned into a strong tension and release cycle. Mitarotonda settled into a melodic pocket that felt both controlled and expressive. Ellis remained tight on the drums, Weekz added a steady low end pulse, and Anspach returned to his reliable synth with piano effects that filled out the sound. A flawless tension and release sequence ended this set on a high note. “In Your Eyes” > “Thatch” stretched beyond forty minutes and stood as the defining jam of the show. We highly recommend a re-listen.
The band returned to play Moon Cabin's “Arcadia,” which extended past seventeen minutes and closed the night with purpose. Weekz drove the early sections from the bass, as he normally does in this classic Goose original tune. Mitarotonda took over in the final stretch, and builded toward a strong resolution that brought the performance to a satisfying close.
By the end of the night, Goose had delivered a performance that balanced structure with freedom. The combination of rare song selections, extended jams, and careful pacing made the Clearwater stop feel distinct within their broader touring history. Florida's Gulf Coast does not see the band often, and we can only hope the band returns to this region sooner than later.
The Constitution State quartet is back for more with a two night stand at the iconic Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, LA on April 21-22 as part of Jazz Fest. They will then make a left turn for a three night run in the Lone Star State, starting in Houston, TX on April 23. Dates in Austin (April 24) and Irving (April 25) follow. The band will take a few days off before heading to San Jose del Cabo in Baja California Sur for their second annual Viva El Gonzo. Afterwards, Goose will embark on their second European run that includes two nights in London, UK (May 22-23), a show in Brussels (May 25), and two nights in Amsterdam (May 27-28). Head on over to their tour page for more European dates, as well as details about their packed summer 2026 tour.
Check out more photos from the show!
Band: Goose
Date: April 17, 2026
Venue: Baycare Sound
Location: Clearwater, FL
Set One: Big Modern![1] > I'm Writing A Novel[2], Mr. Action, Elizabeth, Seekers on the Ridge pt I > Seekers on the Ridge pt II, Peach[3] > Give It Time
Set Two: Hungersite > Rockdale, Slow Ready, In Your Eyes[4], Thatch
Encore: Arcadia
Notes:
[1] Unfinished
[2] Father John Misty
[3] Future Islands
[4] Peter Gabriel
Set-list via elgoose.net
