BONNAROO ARTIST SPOTLIGHT + NEW MUSIC: GOOSE

The 2025 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is set for June 12-15. With over 150 musical acts playing in one weekend, it can be a bit overwhelming. East of 8th is here to help with our new Bonnaroo 2025 artist preview series! Join us as we introduce you to Goose:

Who is Goose?

Goose has built their reputation one show at a time. Consisting of Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), Peter Anspach (vocals, keys, guitar), Trevor Weekz (bass), and Cotter Ellis (vocals, drums), the American rock band is known for fusing indie-rock melodies with expansive improvisation and tight rhythmic interplay. What began in Connecticut basements has evolved into headlining slots at venues like Madison Square Garden and festival appearances at Bonnaroo and ACL.

Goose’s steady rise stems from a strong DIY ethic and an intentional connection with their fans. Leveraging platforms like YouTube, Bandcamp, and nugs.net, the band built a community around their live shows and signature blend of hooks and jams. Their 2022 album Dripfield reached #2 on Billboard’s Top New Artist Albums chart and earned wide critical acclaim.

Through a mix of craft, spontaneity, and heart, Goose has positioned themselves as one of the most compelling live acts in the scene today.

Upcoming Album: Everything Must Go

Goose is set to release their fourth studio album, Everything Must Go, the band’s first full-length project since 2022’s Dripfield. Produced by longtime collaborator D. James Goodwin, the record offers a snapshot of a band in motion — capturing Goose at a moment of creative evolution, while nodding to the live energy that’s helped shape their sound.

The album brings together songs written across the past few years, including reimagined fan-favorite live cuts and newer material that reflects their continued growth. Everything Must Go already released tracks “Lead Up,” “Your Direction,” and “Give It Time.” Framed as both a reflection and a forward-facing statement, Everything Must Go serves as an entry point for new listeners and a meaningful chapter for longtime fans.

New Single From Goose: “Thatch”

Goose has shared “Thatch,” a standout track from their upcoming album Everything Must Go, due April 25 via No Coincidence Records. First introduced into the band’s live set in 2022, the song quickly became a fan favorite — a multi-layered performance piece that shifts between momentum and introspection.

“There are always little ideas and melodies getting stowed away into voice memos on my phone. ‘Thatch’ started as one of those,” says lead vocalist and guitarist Rick Mitarotonda. “It was sitting around as an idea like that for a while, then came together relatively quickly during a transitional period in late 2022.”

That duality — spontaneity built on long-held fragments — is reflected in the song’s sonic and lyrical structure. While musically playful and expansive, “Thatch” digs into themes of identity, change, and self-trust.

“We’re often surrounded in one way or another by voices that encourage us to fit in, and stay on beaten paths,” adds Mitarotonda. “The song’s about believing in and staying committed to whatever strange and interesting ideas might be kicking around in us.”

Like other previews of Everything Must Go we’ve heard to date, “Thatch” draws on the spirit of Goose’s live performances, shaping sound into space for reflection, exploration, and momentum.

What is the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival?

The Bonnaroo 2025 Music and Arts Festival is poised to return to Manchester Tennessee June 12-15. As always, the fest is set to bring a diverse array of musical talent to the venue known as The Farm. Continuing the festival’s longstanding tradition of genre-spanning lineups, Bonnaroo 2025 will be headlined by Tyler the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier, and Luke Combs. The undercard includes names ranging from Avril Lavigne to Insane Clown Posse and from Vampire Weekend to Nelly.

For a few short days, Manchester becomes one of the largest cities in Tennessee as music lovers converge on The Farm. Camping remains a hallmark of the Bonnaroo experience, creating a unique bonding experience both in the crowd and throughout the campgrounds. It also adds convenience to the experience as music on The Farm usually starts around lunchtime and doesn’t end until sunrise the next morning.

To learn more, we suggest you check out our full Bonnaroo 2025 lineup and festival preview. We will continue to update it as the fest reveals more information about special events.