Photo: Bill Kelly

On October 4, the Mempho Music Festival hosted a talented roster of artists culled to commence the multi-day music experience at Radians Amphitheatre at Memphis Botanical Garden. Friday’s schedule got underway midday, with sets occurring across three stages, allowing attendees to mull locations and experience the high-caliper of acts. Amongst the performers was Cory Wong, billed to play on the Bud Light Stage from 5:30 to 6:45, and Goose, scheduled to turn up at the exact location, after the former’s set.

Trading sit-ins during both bands’ festival stands, Wong invited members of Goose, Rick Mitarotonda on guitar and Peter Anspach on keys, for a collective delivery of “Gumshü.” The song initially appeared on Wong’s 2019 release Motivational Music for the Syncopated Soul, a set that saw the bandleader lean into deeper modes of R&B, soul, as well as Indonesian Jazz, effects that came through during the featured festival run-through. 

The first sit-in stoked chemistry that would continue to fizz during Goose’s follow-up frame, specifically, on the collaborative and mid-set positioned “Animal,” which arrived after the band’s san-guest start: “Big Modern!” into the Vasudo originated as “Hot Love & The Lazy Poet,” and a drop to “Lead Up.” After Wong stepped off stage, Goose covered the Price-penned “I Would Die 4 You” before returning to their songbook on “Thatch,” “Silver Rising,” and “Hungersite.” 

Next on the schedule, Goose will perform at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Oct. 24. Tickets remain on sale. Meanwhile, Wong and his band will break before another festival appearance, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, on Oct. 18, ahead of their two-night Halloween run at The Ryman. For more information, follow this link.

Set I: Big Modern!, Hot Love & The Lazy Poet, Lead Up, Animal[1], I Would Die 4 U[2] > Thatch, Silver Rising, Hungersite

Coach’s Notes:
    [1] With Cory Wong on guitar.
    [2] Prince.

Show Notes: This show was part of the Mempho Music Festival.

Notes and setlist via elgoose.net.