My Morning Jacket’s Jim James Joins Goose For Neil Young Cover & More At Viva El Gonzo

Goose played three sets at Viva El Gonzo on Saturday, the last day of their second annual destination event in San José del Cabo, Mexico. My Morning Jacket's Jim James repaid the favor after members of Goose contributed to his solo and MMJ sets by linking up with the band during their final set for a lengthy collaboration.

James brought out Goose guitarist Rick Mitarotonda for a special tribute to Brian Wilson to close his solo set on Friday. Then, on Saturday, Mitarotonda and Goose drummer Cotter Ellis sat in with My Morning Jacket on their “State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.)” opener.

Goose performed a rare acoustic set on the event’s Round Rocks stage to open the Saturday action at Viva El Gonzo 2026. The quartet welcomed Mikaela Davis to add harp to the entire hour-long performance. The unplugged frame was heavy on covers, including the foursome’s first takes on Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” and Radiohead’s “True Love Waits” since 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Woodwind specialist Stuart Bogie was back in the mix on sax to help Goose kick off their first electric set with “Hot Tea.” Bogie stuck around and transitioned to clarinet for “Good2B,” the lead single from Goose's forthcoming BIG MODERN! album. The adventurous version of “Good2B” gave way to the rollicking “A Western Sun” with Bogie on sax. Goose then went it alone for BIG MODERN! cuts “MEDIA” and “Torero” to close the set. “Torero,” the album’s second single, hadn’t been performed live since June 19, 2025 — a span of 51 shows.

Goose returned to the stage with Stuart Bogie on clarinet for a wild “Creatures.” Bogie jumped back on sax to light up the final peak of the song while Mitarotonda shredded. Bogie also added clarinet to the ensuing “This Old Sea” to end his guest appearance.

Jim James came out during the “Madhuvan” that followed to duel with Mitarotonda. Rick and Jim then tag teamed vocals on the Goose debut of “Cortez The Killer.” The 12-minute version of the Neil Young classic featured masterful call-and-response from Mitarotonda and James. Goose wrapped their time at Viva El Gonzo 2026 with “Rockdale,” as the My Morning Jacket frontman sang harmony vocals and traded fiery licks with Mitarotonda once more.

Livestream replays of Goose, Jim James and My Morning Jacket’s Viva El Gonzo sets are available for nugs subscribers. Watch footage of James and Goose performing “Cortez The Killer” in Mexico below:

Setlist (via ElGoose.net)

Acoustic Set: Atlas Dogs[1], Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis[2], California Magic[3], Atlantic City[4], Master & A Hound[5] -> True Love Waits[6], Drive[7], Give It Time[7]

Coach’s Notes:

• [1] Indie-Groove version. with Mikaela Davis on harp.
• [2] Tom Waits. with Mikaela Davis on harp.
• [3] with Mikaela Davis on harp.
• [4] Bruce Springsteen. with Mikaela Davis on harp.
• [5] Gregory Alan Isakov. With Mikaela Davis on harp.
• [6] Radiohead. With Mikaela Davis on harp.
• [7] With Mikaela Davis on harp.

Show Notes: This was an acoustic set and part of the Viva El Gonzo festival. Atlantic City was played for the first time since November 10, 2024 (90 shows). True Love Waits was played for the first time since June 10, 2025 (56 shows).

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Electric Set One: Hot Tea[1], Good2B[1] > A Western Sun[1], MEDIA, Torero[2]

Electric Set Two: Creatures[1], This Old Sea[1], Madhuvan[3], Cortez The Killer[4], Rockdale[5]

Coach’s Notes:

• [1] With Stuart Bogie on woodwinds.
• [2] Album version.
• [3] With Jim James on guitar.
• [4] Neil Young. FTP. With Jim James on guitar and vocals.
• [5] With Jim James on guitar and vocals.

Show Notes: This show was part of the Viva El Gonzo festival. Torero was played for the first time since June 19, 2025 (51 shows).