Moe Reviews: Trey Anastasio Band & Goose Concert
Nov 17, 2022 – Trey Anastasio Band (featuring Billy Strings) & Goose
EagleBank Arena – Fairfax, VA
Trey Anastasio sitting in with Goose at Eagle Bank Arena. Photo by Moe Zaremba.
When the Trey Anastasio Band (TAB) & Goose tour made its way to the EagleBank Arena at George Mason University, rumors ran rampant about what was in store for fans that night. For context, this co-billed tour featured two sets for each artist, with collaborations sprinkled in every night. But what had fans most curious was whether guitar-genius Billy Strings would come to sit in that evening. As a fan seeing both bands for the first time, I kept an open mind and ear to the new acts I was about to see.
Before we knew it, Goose flocked to the stage for the first set. Their opener, “Arrow,” was a fast-paced and funky exploration of the new tune the band released in June. Personally, “Arrow” is a favorite Goose song of mine, so I was ecstatic when the opening notes rang. Needless to say, nearly 25 minutes later, the band was loose and ready to throw down!
More Trey Anastasio with Goose. Photo by Moe Zaremba.
Next was “Seekers on the Ridge Pt 1 & 2,” a new song to me. I think it could’ve been named Sleepers on the Ridge, but if Goose likes to play it, I like to hear it. Third, in the setlist, we got the second-ever performance of “Thatch.” Not much can be said about this youngin besides the fact that it’s incredibly funky and that it debuted earlier that week. Critics aside, I was instantly hooked.
As “Thatch” concluded, the jam-vehicle “Arcadia” began with an electric reception. I was extremely excited to hear this tune because it was the Goose song that introduced me to the band. It has good verses, a catchy chorus, and awe-inspiring solos. What’s not to love? Once the verses concluded, a mystical solo ensued, which found new and impressive heights before the group landed on the song’s ending chord progression. This 18-minute monster definitely got fans in the right place, just in time for Trey to take the stage.
With Trey in the mix, the band broke into another new song, “Hungersite,” released in June on their latest album, “Dripfield.” In “Hungersite,” Trey showcased harmonies with Rick Mitarotonda on guitar and added backing vocals to spice the tune. Although the jam was exciting, the song shifted 11 minutes to another new song, “Tumble.” In “Tumble,” Trey and Rick took off like rockets, and the jam was daring, shining, and crescendoed at a monumental peak. Then as the house lights returned, the bright-eyed audience was blown away by the performance we’d just witnessed.
Trey channels his Jedi powers by hoisting his guitar in the air during TAB’s performance of First Tube. Photo by David Loeb.
A half-hour later, the audience had gotten acquainted with one another when Trey was ready to play. From the rocking baseline of “First Tube” to the dark, menacing melody of “Simple Twist Up Dave,” the band was blazing hot. Another highlight was the jazz ditty “Magilla,” but everyone went utterly ballistic when Billy Strings joined TAB for his fan-favorite, “Meet Me at the Creek.”
Rumors circulated that this sit-in would happen, but it felt too good to be true to see this joining of forces grace the stage. It felt almost like the Last Waltz when members of Goose took to the stage to join TAB and Billy, and what happened next felt like it was too good to be true. When the band broke into “The Moma Dance,” the arena erupted with excitement. Hearing this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration perform one of my favorite songs felt like an early Christmas present. Through the song’s swampy, mucky rhythm, each guitarist shone uniquely, bringing new flavors to the dance. To cap off the set, TAB, along with Rick, Pete (from Goose), and Billy Strings, played “Gotta Jibboo” to remind fans the party was far from over.
Left to right, Billy, Trey, and Rick join TAB for the Moma Dance. Photo by David Loeb.
Minutes after the set finished, Trey and Billy returned with acoustic guitars to serenade us with the encore. This had to have been my favorite part of the show. The duet was beautifully executed as both guitarists flawlessly shared verses, choruses, and solos on each other’s songs. First Trey played Billy’s ballad, “Love & Regret” then the two played the Phish classic, “Water in the Sky”.
Next, the rest of TAB, plus Rick and Pete, joined the duo for another Phish-fan favorite, “Back on the Train.” This cowboy classic carried the audience down the tracks to the final song of the night, “Carini.” When the metallic, hard rock melody of “Carini” began, people feared what was to come. Who would be the next victim of Carini’s scary, intimidating sounds? The music played was not only raw and crunchy but also dark and wailing as each guitarist soloed in moaning, minor modes.
When the house lights returned, the EagleBank Arena was in complete awe of what it witnessed. Was it just another night on the TAB Goose Tour, a legendary joining of jam forces, an early Thanksgiving celebration, or just a typical Thursday night? One thing is for sure, jam band fans will be talking about this show for years to come.
