Goose kicked off its first run of 2025 over the weekend with three nights at Miller High Life Theatre in Milwaukee, WI. The weekend run was the band’s first outing as a quartet following percussionist/multi-instrumentalist Jeff Arevalo‘s announcement that he would step away from touring to prioritize his mental health. Though fans lamented his absence, Rick Mitarotonda, Peter Anspach, Trevor Weekz, and Cotter Ellis proved themselves a formidable foursome. The band’s new look was also complemented by updates to lighting director Andrew Goedde‘s light rig, which produced polychromatic curtains of light to augment the array of standard cans and LEDs previously employed.

Starting Thursday’s opener off with a daring “Rockdale” and the Goose debut of Grant Green‘s “Flood in Franklin Park”, the first set featured a mix of song-driven selections and exploratory jams, highlighted by a fiery “Drive” with psychedelic improvisation and dazzling lighting effects. The second set focused on seamless segues and groove-heavy playing, with standout moments in “Creatures”, a jammed-out “Animal”, and an extended “Arcadia”. Closing with a “Turbulence & The Night Rays” encore, Goose left fans assured the band remains as tight and adventurous as ever heading into the new year.

Goose – Miller High Life Theatre – Milwaukee, WI – 2/6/25 [Full Show]

Friday’s show began with another deep-dive opener. After several minutes of patient improv, the salutatory “One In, One Out” flowed into a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s “Green River”, setting the tone for a second night of high-energy jams. Other first-set highlights included a groovy “Lead Up”, an unfinished take on The Wood Brothers’ “Atlas” featuring callbacks to the opener, and a soaring “Empress of Organos” with “Tumble” teases from Rick.

Goose – Miller High Life Theatre – Milwaukee, WI – 2/7/25 [Full Show]

The second set kicked off with an ambitious pairing of “Madhuvan” and “Red Bird”, stretching to an expansive 40 minutes. “Madhuvan” carved through dark and brooding spaces before giving way to a patient, uplifting transition into “Red Bird”, which built to a euphoric peak. The band kept the momentum going with a beautifully delicate take on Radiohead‘s “True Love Waits” before launching into a high-energy sequence of “Arrow” and “Jeff Engborg”, the latter left unfinished as Goose returned to “The Empress of Organos”. Capping off another dynamic performance, the band treated fans to a spirited encore of the Bobby Blue Bland-penned Grateful Dead staple “Turn On Your Love Light” in the encore slot.

Goose – “Madhuvan”, “Red Bird” – 2/7/25

Staying true to form, Goose let loose with a soaring “Into the Myst” opener on Saturday. Fifteen-plus minutes of exploratory jamming later, the song remained unfinished as it bled into “Silver Rising”. The first set continued with a vibrant take on “Turned Clouds” before the band dove into a cover of Ilsey Juber’s “No California”. “Everything Must Go”, the title track of Goose’s upcoming album, provided a moment of reflection before the band finally closed the set with “Big Modern!”.

The second frame leaned into groove-heavy improvisation, kicking off with an upbeat cover of Fat Freddy’s Drop’s “Fish in the Sea”. “Same Old Shenanigans” lived up to its name with more improvisatory antics before “Borne” opened into a triumphant sequence, seamlessly transitioning into “Hungersite” and culminating in a euphoric “Dripfield” finale. For the encore, Goose sent fans home with its new album’s lead single, “Give It Time”, bringing the three-night stand to a satisfyingly soulful conclusion.

As Goose embarks on this new chapter, the quartet demonstrated with its three-night stand in Milwaukee an ability to evolve while maintaining the adventurous spirit that fans have come to appreciate. With a fresh look, updated lighting designs, and a mix of new material and deep improvisation, Goose continues to persevere with praiseworthy resilience and an unwavering commitment to exploring new musical horizons.

Goose – Miller High Life Theatre – Milwaukee, WI – 2/8/25 [Full Show]

Check out full-show audio from Goose’s three-night run at Milwaukee’s Miller High Life Theatre and click below to view photo galleries courtesy of photographer Daniel Ojeda.

The band’s tour continues north of the border with its first-ever show in Canada at HISTORY in Toronto, ON, followed by three nights over Valentine’s Day weekend at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids, MI. Head here to find tickets, or if you can’t make it in person, nugs is streaming the entire run to subscribers at no additional cost. Not a nugs subscriber? Start with a seven-day free trial. [Editor’s Note: Live For Live Music is a nugs affiliate. Ordering your nugs subscription or purchasing a download via the links on this page helps support our coverage of the world of live music. Thank you for reading!]

Goose’s new album, Everything Must Go, is due out April 25th. The band is also gearing up to host its inaugural Viva El Gonzo festival in San José del Cabo, Mexico with The War on Drugs, Tycho, Dawes, LA LOM, and more, and make its headlining debut at Madison Square Garden this summer. Find more information on the band’s website.

Goose – Miller High Life Theatre – Milwaukee, WI – 2/6/25

Goose – Miller High Life Theatre – Milwaukee, WI – 2/7/25

Goose – Miller High Life Theatre – Milwaukee, WI – 2/8/25

Setlist [via El Goose]: Goose | Miller High Life Theatre | Milwaukee, WI | 2/6/25
Set 1: Rockdale, Flood in Franklin Park[1], The Whales > Dr. Darkness, I’m Writing A Novel[2] > Drive[3] > Bloodbuzz Ohio[4], SALT
Set 2: Creatures -> Atlas Dogs[5] -> Animal, Draconian Meter Maid > Arcadia
Encore: Turbulence & The Night Rays

Coach’s Notes:
[1] Grant Green. FTP.
[2] Father John Misty.
[3] Unfinished.
[4] The National.
[5] With Tarantella Napoletana tease from Rick.

Setlist [via El Goose]: Goose | Miller High Life Theatre | Milwaukee, WI | 2/7/25
Set 1: One In, One Out -> Green River[1], Hot Love & The Lazy Poet, Lead Up, Atlas[2] > The Empress Of Organos[3] > California Magic > Flodown
Set 2: Madhuvan, Red Bird > True Love Waits[4], Arrow, Jeff Engborg[5] -> The Empress Of Organos
Encore: Turn On Your Love Light[6]

Coach’s Notes:
[1] Creedence Clearwater Revival.
[2] The Wood Brothers. Unfinished. With One In, One Out teases.
[3] With Tumble teases from Rick.
[4] Radiohead.
[5] Unfinished.
[6] Bobby Blue Bland.

Setlist [via El Goose]: Goose | Miller High Life Theatre | Milwaukee, WI | 2/8/25
Set 1: Into the Myst[1] > Silver Rising, Turned Clouds, No California[2], Everything Must Go, Big Modern![1]
Set 2: Fish In The Sea[3], Same Old Shenanigans, Borne > Hungersite > Dripfield
Encore: Give it Time

Coach’s Notes:
[1] Unfinished.
[2] Ilsey Juber.
[3] Fat Freddy’s Drop.