Portlandia [Maine Edition]
A sunny first set, both in weather and music, contrasted a dark and psychedelic second stanza
Goose returned to Thompson’s point in Maine for the second time last night for another warm, breezy, outdoor show that blew doors down. This show included everything: bust-outs, jams, Peter in a really cute Disney cartoon shirt. This was the first of a two-night stand at the venue.
What not to miss:
Indian River
Set II & Encore
Following the first Time To Flee opener in over a year, we were treated to two back-to-back bustouts: Liza Jane and Spain. The last time both of these tightly-played songs was played was 2022. Following a slow All I Need the band closed with a bangin’ Indian River.
Indian River had Rick stomping on his wah outta the gates before giving Trevor space for a solo only to come back to his wah pedal. The way Rick has been using this pedal this tour, I can only assume he has been listening to ’97 Phish. Rick was dancing while playing at one point he was so into it. It was during this jam that it became apparent this crowd was here to really party. The energy was through the roof with people getting down during the sunny first set.
Drive opened the second set just as the sun went down. The heavy metal playing featuring both Rick and Peter on guitar was contrasted as the band slowly fell into near silence before coming back up in to a throbbing, psychedelic jam which paired well with the now-dark evening. Rick brought the song—somewhat forced—into Hollywood Nights.
Into The Myst brought the [loud] fog down to the stage with a jam which sounded almost like some of the recent Butter Rum jams at one point. The good rendition segued into a great Dark Horse with a galloping jam. The Dark Horse was a highlight for me to be honest.
The show closed with Slow Ready (with x-tra sexy singing). Peter’s synth slowed down into an ethereal hum which remained following the band leaving the stage. The quintet returned for the encore, using the existing soundscape to morph into the beginning of Animal. Animal wasn’t particularly noteworthy until the very end of the song with Rick creating tension using waterfalls of notes and Peter highlighting the forthcoming peak with his synth.
Check back tomorrow for updates on the second night.