MoshPlayLive is on Tour in 2023 and recently arrived at Agora Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio in time to experience Goose’s 2023 Spring Tour. This was MPL’s first visit to the Agora, it is a beautiful venue with decor from the Arts and Crafts movement. Several entertainment businesses have called the building home since it opened in 1913. The reopening after refurbishment showcases the style of the Roaring 1920s updated for the 2020s. The venue has a nicely shaped wide pit area in front and the area behind the orchestra pit is designed for easy coming and going.
We arrived early and secured parking in the lot connected to the Agora for $20. Getting in and out of Cleveland on a Sunday afternoon proved to be rather easy, we found our spot, threw the truck into park and watched people line up and down the Euclid Ave sidewalk. A person was handing out Honeybee headpieces to everyone outside the show, a sea of people with many dressed as black and yellow bumble bees floating along the avenue. Entering the venue proved to be a very quick, pain free experience with a very helpful friendly staff. A good sign for the venue was their merchandise set up, as expected the line stretched out for what seemed to be an eternity, but in reality we were able to get our item within 30-40 minutes.
Let’s talk about Goose band merch for a moment, especially the posters that are available during the tours. The poster community has definitely grown in size over the years, getting to the point where one has to decide if it is worth the energy involved in scoring one. This time around we decided there was no need to rush in either for merch or a good spot on the floor and you know what? The concert gods smiled down upon us all night, waiting for the initial rush of people entering the venue. We walked into a rather busy venue, found the merch line stretching into the main lobby. We joined the line, hoping to get through by set start.
The set up was beneficial for all as the table was set up in a different room, the set up allowed fans to see what was available while following the twists and turns of the cordoned off line. Stacks of posters were on the table, while they were selling at a good clip, obtaining one was not going to be a problem. There were 4 variants of the poster including the regular version, foil version, an VIP exclusive (Red), and a regular edition, autographed by the band, only 10 available at the show, with a guaranteed low number of the 110 print run. There were still a few of the latter left on the table so I plunked down the $125 for the autographed poster, a little pricey, but well within the spending limits of the evening. Once we get settled back in I look forward to having it professionally framed and hung with the other concert prints we’ve been able to curate over the years..Bonus to the Agora for having a coat check! At $5 an item, they stored my poster allowing for a hands free concert experience. It was a bargain.
Navigating any new venue can be a challenge, the Agora is well designed to provide comfort quickly. The venue was already packed, a lot of chatter and good vibes going around. We made a beeline to the pit, it looked very packed, but we found a spot. After just a couple of minutes we were able to work our way closer to the front, eventually making it three rows from the front just left of center, being 6'3 I had a great view of the show and so did Veronica standing at 5'2, with the crowd predominantly female around us, she was able to catch most of the action up on the stage. Most of the crowd was very friendly, a few minor exceptions and a few chompers aside it was all good.
Goose hit the stage around 8:40 launching into a 26 minute All I Need, I’ve seen them twice now, both times AIN has opened, followed up with a jammin’ version of The Whales. Business really picked up with a cover of Bob Marley and the Wailers Caution, a special shout out to bassist Trevor Weeks for his phenomenal bass playing, I caught myself more than once watching him interacting with Peter Anspach (vocals, guitar) during it. The jams continued with a Jive Trifecta (Jive I, Jive II and Jive Lee) played with one of my favorites California Magic- separating I and II, a monster jam session that needs to be listened to.
Set 2 opened with Drive, followed by the second cover of the evening A-ha’s Take On Me, another must listen from the Cleveland show, short, sweet and really good, check it out. Into the Myst was up next, followed by a dedication to the Honeybee’s in attendance, Launching into Honeybee with Coach on his new rain
stick. Set 2 ended with an almost 25 minute Arrow. I was hoping to hear Hot Tea this evening and from reports it was on the set list to be played this evening, but it was cut, there’s always next show, instead Goose treated us to Otis Day and the Knight’s hit Shama Lama Ding Dong, sending the crowd home happy.
It seems Goose is playing everywhere this year with dates announced through the Fall already. Many of the shows are sold out and for good reason. Get out and catch them while they are still playing the theater circuit, it already feels that they have outgrown these size venues, and you’ll definitely not want to miss out.
Set 1
All I Need
The Whales
Caution (Bob Marley and The Wailers cover)
Jive I
California Magic
Jive II
Jive Lee
Set 2
Drive
Take on Me ( a-ha cover)
Cleveland Jam
Into the Myst
Honeybee
Arrow
Encore
Shama Lama Ding Dong (Otis Day and The Knights)
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