Writer/Photos: Zak Radick

Celebrating Halloween a week late, red-hot Connecticut rock band Goose played their final scheduled shows of the year over the weekend. After their previously announced run of socially distant shows at South Farms was abruptly postponed due to snow, the hometown quintet more than made up for it with a pair of performances fans will likely be talking about for years to come

After an opening set from DJ Doey Joey got things started on Saturday, a mysterious fog began filling the stage. Suddenly the silhouette of a long-eared rabbit character emerged from the haze. Silent, stoic and peering out into the sold-out crowd, it wasn’t until a close up was shown on the big screen that it became obvious the character depicted was Frank, the imaginary bunny from the 2001 cult classic sci-fi film Donnie Darko. Under the mask? None other than bass player Trevor Weekz. Soon, the remainder of Goose (Peter Anspach, Ben Atkind, Rick Mitarotonda and Jeff Aravelo) took to the stage, all dressed as characters referenced in the film, thus revealing this year’s musical costume as Donnie Darko night.

(Photo: Zak Radick)

From the opening song, “Killing Moon” to the closing encore of “Mad World,” nearly all of the songs featured in the film’s soundtrack were played, all of which were debuts for the band. The two set show also featured covers of Tears For Fears’ “Head Over Heels” and Duran Duran’s “Notorious.”

Also not lost on the night, the unveiling of a new fully immersive laser light show and a bevy of Goose originals. Most notable was the debut performance of new song “Seekers on the Ridge (pt.1) > “Seekers on the Ridge (pt.2) which also served as the launching pad for a monster “Hot Tea” > “Wysteria Lane” > “Hot Tea (Reprise) > “Head Over Heels (reprise) jam sandwich. With only a few minutes before curfew, the impressive performance concluded with a hauntingly beautiful rendition of the classic Gary Jules song “Mad World.”

With no scheduled Goose shows left on the docket and the beloved South Farms venue effectively shutting down for the winter, what’s next for the high flying bird band is anyone’s guess. We here at Mirth Films will be sure to keep you updated.

(Photo: Zak Radick)

Setlist: Goose | South Farms | Morris, CT | 11/7/20

Set One: The Killing Moon [1], Arrow > Doobie Song > Slow Ready, Jive I > Jive Lee, Head Over Heels [2]
Set Two: Notorious [3], Tumble [5a], Seekers on the Ridge pt. 1 [4] > Seekers on the Ridge pt. 2 [4] > Hot Tea, Wysteria Lane [5] > Head Over Heels [6]

Encore: Mad World [6]

Coach’s Notes:

[1] Echo & The Bunnymen, FTP
[2] Tears For Fears, FTP
[3] Duran Duran, FTP. Hot Teases
[4] FTP
[5a] Axel F tease, Hot Tease (Hot Tea teases)
[5] Hot Tease (Hot Tea teases)
[6] Tears For Fears
Tonight’s Netflox & Chill movie was Donnie Darko