Goose, photo by Stevo Rood

Goose touched down in New Orleans last night to set off their two-night series at the historic Saenger Theatre. As the Crescent City prepares for the two-week citywide musical celebration of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the ascendant indie jam outfit stopped in for an action-packed two-set staging, featuring some trusty covers and a return to a dormant original.

Goose’s last performance in New Orleans marked the beginning of an undeniable hot streak. On April 24 of last year, the band closed out Jazz Fest’s Shell Gentilly Stage one day before the release of their triumphant fourth studio album, Everything Must Go, then rode a tidal wave of acclaim down to San José del Cabo, Mexico for their inaugural Viva El Gonzo destination festival. The quartet’s return to NOLA after a year of musical achievement was changed by the memory of that moment, and the band notably opened their first show at the Saenger Theatre by looking back further with “Jive II,” an enduring standout from their 2016 studio debut.

Goose flew through their uptempo version of “Echo of a Rose” en route to their 10th cover to date of The Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin.” After “Earthling or Alien?,” the group touched on their fourth studio album just before its one-year anniversary with the title track, then brought up the exceptionally rare original “It Burns Within” for only its 11th appearance in 12 years. The first frame came to a close with the outfit’s sixth all-time take on Chick Corea’s “Spain.”

Following a brief intermission, Goose swerved into their second set with the smooth acceleration of “Drive,” launching a string of meticulous perfect segues into “Rosewood Heart, the Big Modern! single “MEDIA” and finally the 11-year live staple “A Western Sun.” To cap off the performance and hint at more excitement to come on night two, the band brought on a swaggering rendition of the Grateful Dead’s “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo.”

Goose will perform at the Saenger Theatre again tonight, then race through three shows in Texas before flying out to their second annual Viva El Gonzo event from May 7-9. Find the band’s full live itinerary at goosetheband.com/tour.

Goose
Saenger Theatre – New Orleans
4/21/26
Set I: Jive II, Echo of a Rose[1] > Nights In White Satin[2], Earthling or Alien? > Everything Must Go, It Burns Within > Spain[3]
Set II: Drive > Rosewood Heart -> MEDIA > A Western Sun
Encore: Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo[4]
Coach’s Notes:
    [1] Fast version. Unfinished.
    [2] The Moody Blues.
    [3] Chick Corea.
    [4] Grateful Dead.
Show Notes: It Burns Within was played for the first time since June 26, 2024 (120 shows)
Setlist via elgoose.net .