Two Nights in Cleveland With Goose!

On the second night of Goose's two-show run in Cleveland, the energy at Jacobs Pavilion was absolutely electric. Building on the success of last year's single show, this year's event saw the venue at full capacity, with fans braving a downpour just to be part of the experience.

The band kicked off the night with a cover of Blind Melon's No Rain, a song they hadn't performed in over a year, making it a perfect choice given the rainy weather. Goose, a jam band in the vein of the Grateful Dead, features Rick Mitarotonda on guitar and vocals, Peter Anspach on keys and guitar, Trevor Weekz on bass, Ben Atkind on drums, and Jeff Arevalo on percussion.

They played two full sets with no opener, giving the audience a chance to really settle in and enjoy the night. The setlist mixed originals and covers that had the crowd dancing and singing along from start to finish.

Last summer, I caught Dead and Company on their final tour in Pittsburgh. I remember walking out of that show wondering where all that energy from the Dead scene would go. I think I found part of the answer here. Before the show, I talked to fans who had come in from New York, Maryland, and Chicago. Folks are following Goose from city to city, catching different setlists every night. It was good to see that the Grateful Dead culture is alive and well.

Jacobs Pavilion, with its open-air setting on the waterfront, added a unique charm to the evening. The atmosphere felt like a full-on party, and you would’ve needed a calculator to keep track of how many smiles you saw in that crowd. Despite the rain, it was a night to remember.