The last day at any festival is always bittersweet. Fans have figured out the ropes and finally feel at home, despite having to pack up and leave after the music ends. Viva El Gonzo was no exception, however the incredibly inspired performances eased the transition back into normalcy. This included an absolute raging set by festival host Goose that featured no guests or covers.
The beautiful weather continued in San Juan Del Cabo, Mexico, as the Cordovas began the music on this third and final day. They brought their signature rock and roll sound from Nashville, TN to Crainia. This afternoon delight continued with Mandolinist Sierra Hull. Her band elevated Crainia by a factor of intricate bluegrass, which perfectly complimented the intense sun beating down during her set.
Festival host Goose was up next at Round Rocks, and unplugged for this edition. All members used acoustic instruments, including Rick Mitarotonda and Peter Anspach on acoustic guitar, Trevor Weekz on acoustic bass and Cotter Ellis on drums. Their first tune, 'Me & My Uncle,' lit up the Grateful Dead fan faces in attendance. A vibey 'Tumble' followed, along with Prince's 'I Would Die 4 U.'
The foursome introduced Bob Dylan's 'It's Alright' for the first time, and welcomed Hull on stage to contribute with her mandolin. She remained for a solid cover of the Wood Brother's 'Atlas.' The boys continued this mid-day show with 'Dim Lights,' which has only been played once prior by Goose. The set wrapped with a vibrant 'Flodown.'
Eggy returned for their second performance on the Main Stage. They came out of the gates swinging with 'Burritos El Chavo 2' into 'A Moment’s Notice.' Guitarist Jake Brownstein's edgy licks meshed nicely with drummer Alex Bailey's dynamic beats, utilizing bassist Mike Goodman as the glue. The set ended with a ripping 'Wayless' that flowed into 'Searchlight' by John Brown's Body. Keyboardist Dani Battat hoisted this sequence as the band moved back into 'Wayless,' ending their midday set on a high note.
The craziness level dialed up a few notches as Andy Frasco and the UN took the stage for their second set of the festival. Always with tricks up his sleeves, Frasco brought a few friends along, including Mihali and Anders Osbourne. Osbourne was not scheduled to appear at the festival, making his appearance on a stage a welcomed surprise. He contributed to a cover of his song, 'Back on DuMaine.' Mihali joined the party for a couple of songs, and engaged well with guitarist Shawn Eckels. Most notably, he contributed spot on vocals to 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana. Frasco managed to turn the crowd into one huge Hora, which is a circular dance often seen at Bar Mitzvahs.
We have not mentioned the adorable domesticated animals that were seen throughout the event, particularly a medium-sized black dog. During our inquiries about the free-roaming canine, we learned that the dog lived in the area, and was 'well fed and loved' by the locals. The dog took a liking to one particular festival-goer, who named him Tipit. A couple of other dogs roamed the parking lot with Tipit, but he felt more comfortable than the others socializing with the humans inside the venue. At the Hotel El Ganzo Beach Club, we were also introduced to a local cat named Chimichanga, who affectionately interacted with the staff and guests.
LA LOM proceeded on the Main stage. As mentioned previously, they were the definitive sleeper act at Viva El Gonzo. Their name stands for the Los Angeles League of Musicians. Their music is a combination of surf guitar, cumbia, and Peruvian chicha that melded into a latin influenced jam band sound. Guitarist Zac Sokolow was a beast with his intricate chords. Their set began after the sun set, enabling them to use Goose's stellar light rig to heighten their performance. We highly recommend checking this band out, as they are on tour this summer, and also included on a number of jam rock festival bills this summer.
After LA LOM's monster set, the crowd was ready for Goose's final performance at the festival. They stepped on stage full of smiles, along with Mitarotonda donning a sleeveless shirt. The music commenced with a fluid 'Pancakes' that hit peaks early, and morphed into an upbeat, ambient funk jam. This eventually mellowed, and the band switched gears into 'Hungersite.' Those earlier peaks were catapulted upwards during this technical jam lead by Mitarotonda. Anspach decorated on the keys, as Ellis' dropped racing beats. The music magically segued back into 'Pancakes' via an explosive transition.
A breezy 'California Magic' proceeded, giving all parties a much needed break after the opening intensity. This tune was recently released on Everything Must Go. Consequentially, this album saw significant play on Day Three at Viva El Gonzo.
The island themed 'Butter Rum' finally made an appearance at the festival. Weekz stood out during this blissful tune where the lyrics were changed to 'Bada Bing Butter Rum.' The bass drove the funk jam that resulted, which eventually landed squarely in jam vehicle, 'Echo of a Rose.' The fast version of this beloved tune surfaced, and soared into more tasty tension and release. A stop-start transition ensued, which found the boys back in 'Butter Rum.' The set ended with a melodic 'Everything Must Go' that grew some serious legs before completion.
The band still had one set to go, and they did what they do best: crushed their original tunes leaving no stones unturned. This began with the trance inspired 'Feel It Now,' which was another track from Everything Must Go. Weekz continued to dominate on bass, while the drums intensified.
The jam quickly pivoted into Everything Must Go's 'Animal.' The fourteen minute jam combined various textures, before heading into the new tune that many fans were waiting to hear live: 'Dustin Hoffman.' The Constitution state quartet dropped into a slow burning funk, complimented by Anspach on the clav. The band jettisoned into an uplifted jam, before fizzling into '726.'
A smooth segue followed into the jam monster, 'Dripfield.' This fifteen minute heater had all the feels, with Lighting Director Andrew Goedde showing his next level lighting vision via the expanded rig that debuted at the festival. The set ended with 'How It Ends,' which was played for the first time in eighty four shows. This selection book-ended the set with Everything Must Go tunes.
The band returned for an encore, and did not skimp as they delivered a face melting, nineteen minute 'Thatch.' All four band members were in lock step during this well executed blues rock song that deserves a re-listen. Upon conclusion, the band took a bow and thanked their fans for joining them on this Mexican musical odyssey.
The music was not quite over yet, as the Baltimore, MD based Pigeons Playing Ping stepped on stage for their late night set at Crainia. They began with 'Offshoot, ' before soaring into 'Donkey Hotel,' which included a lyric change to 'Gonzo Hotel.' Our favorite Pigeons song, 'Horizon,' floated into the funky mix next, along with 'Show Me.' The intensity catapulted as Anspach joined the foursome on keys for their original 'Skipjack.' Pigeons guitarist Greg Ormont officially coined Mitarotonda's newest nickname, Sleeveless Rick, as Mitarotonda appeared on stage. He sat in during 'Poseidon,' which ended their set.
The festival closed with none other than DJ Marb Menthols, also known as Goose bassist Trevor Weekz. Known for throwing Marlboro Menthols into the crowd, Weekz brought the jungle beats late into the night in front of a psychedelic LED display.
While Viva El Gonzo successfully came to a close, the music never stops. Goose performs next on May 25 at Bottlerock Napa Valley followed by a two night stand at The Masonic in San Francisco on May 27-28. They have tour stops in Bend, OR, Spokane, WA, Boise, ID, Las Vegas, and Phoenix, AZ shortly thereafter. They will return to Fiddler's Green in Greenwood Village, CO for a two night stand on June 6-7. Visit their tour page for more tour details as the band travels East.
Check out more photos from Day Three at Viva El Gonzo. Also, view our coverage from Day One (photos, review) and Day Two (photos, review).
Date: May 10, 2025
Location: San Juan Del Cabo, Mexico
Festival: Viva El Gonzo
Goose Acoustic
Set: Me & My Uncle[1], Tumble[2], I Would Die 4 U[3], Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright[4], Atlas[5], Dim Lights, Flodown
Notes:
[1] John Philips.
[2] Tumble's instrumental bridge was played as an intro to Vibey Tumble.
[3] Prince.
[4] Bob Dylan. FTP as Goose. With Sierra Hull on mandolin and vocals.
[5] The Wood Brothers. With Sierra Hull on mandolin.
Eggy
Set: Sweaters for Strawmen, Burritos El Chavo 2-> A Moment’s Notice, Laurel > Burritos El Chavo 2, Wayless > Searchlight[1]-> Wayless
Notes:
[1] John Brown’s Body cover
Andy Frasco and the UN
Set: Try Not to Die, Unknown[1], Fool in the Rain[2], Back on DuMaine[3], Somedays, What More Can I Say, Smells Like Teen Spirit[1][4], Dancin' Around My Grave, Crazy Things[5] (incomplete set-list)
Notes:
[1] with Mihali
[2] Led Zeppelin
[3] Anders Osbourne, with Anders Osbourne
[4] Nirvanna
[5} with Jake Brownstein
Goose
Set One: Pancakes > Hungersite -> Pancakes, California Magic, Butter Rum[1] -> Echo of a Rose[2] > Butter Rum, Everything Must Go
Set Two: Feel it Now[3] -> Animal[3] -> Dustin Hoffman[4] > 726 > Dripfield[5], How it Ends
Encore: Thatch
Notes:
[1] Lyrics changed to 'Bada Bing Butter Rum.'
[2] Fast version.
[3] Unfinished.
[4] FTP.
[5] Unfinished. With Chank teases from Rick.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
Set: Offshoot, Donkey Hotel [1], Horizon, Show Me, Skipjack [2], Poseidon [3]
Notes:
[1] with 'Gonzo Hotel' lyrics
[2] with Peter Anspach (Goose) on keys
[3] with Rick Mitarotonda (Goose) on guitar