Concert feature/review by Beau Croxton, all photos by Tommy Krause

Geese live at Banker’s Anchor by Tommy Krause

It’s Saturday afternoon– September 27th at 1:09 PM. I make my way over to Banker’s Anchor in Greenpoint to catch the NYC group Geese, one day after they released their incredible new album– Getting Killed. The free concert was only announced two days prior, and since then, the music world has been absolutely awestruck by the new record. Getting Killed is already one of the most critically acclaimed releases of the year, with many suggesting that the band is leading the charge in rock music for the next generation.

I couldn't agree more— Geese’s creative approach to indie rock on Getting Killed is pure magic. (Check out our Album of the Month review for Getting Killed right here.)

A lot of momentum has led to this moment for Geese and their fans alike. Geese’s killer 2021 debut album, Projector, had a wild yet calculated spirit, with charismatic vocals and brilliant instrumental chops. Immediately, it was clear that Geese was an incredibly exciting band to keep an eye on.

With their sophomore album 3D Country, Geese delivered a warped sense of classic rock-revivalism that was done in such a clever and catchy way. Upon its release, a few things became more clear about Geese: this band was quite multifaceted, with brilliant takes on the old-school, and they had potential to lead the new-school.

Cameron Winter’s 2024 solo record Heavy Metal brought a new depth and emotional resonance that wasn’t as pronounced on previous Geese records. His subtle and introspective approach on this record absolutely won over the indie crowd across the board. This record was a crossover moment that drove new listeners to either discover Geese, or revisit the band’s discography with a new appreciation. The record has had more than just a moment— Winter performed the solo music on Kimmel Live, and in December, he will headline sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall, the Palace Theater and other notable venues.

Now in 2025– Getting Killed expertly bridges the gap between Geese’s forward-thinking rock music with the odd, timeless, and melancholic appeal of Winter’s Heavy Metal— and it does so in a raw and brilliant way that feels massive.

CRUSADES

As soon as I walk up to Banker’s Anchor shortly after 1pm , I hear the sound of live drums. Following the sound, I look to my left to see the band– Cameron Winter, Emily Green, Max Bassin and Dominic DiGesu soundchecking in the middle of the street, counting off the start of “Au Pays Du Cocaine”. I felt like an imposter while watching the soundcheck playthrough, because it was such a vulnerable song and an intimate, candid moment. It sounded so sincerely beautiful.

During the check, Winter stepped out away from the stage to hear the sound from afar, and they did an extended, instrumental rendition of “Half Real”. When their jam reached its crescendo, it was goosebump inducing, and the guitars sounded like they were being sucked into some beautifully chaotic, twangy, art-rock tornado. When the group wrapped soundcheck and left— the eager early-bird fans were allowed in, and they were intent on securing a spot close to the stage to witness what was bound to be an iconic New York moment.

I spoke to some Geese fans who arrived early to catch the show– Lillian from Brooklyn (originally from Texas), had this to say about her experience with Geese: “So I am 30 years old, and I feel like my 20s were kind of a musical rut for me. I wasn't really excited about bands the way I used to be– then Geese came along. I got into them right after 3D Country came out, and it really resonated immediately– it was the only thing I listened to for months. There's just something about them– it's a combination of how young they are and also how great they are that makes you feel like you're so early to something that's going to be ultimately in music history. It's so exciting… you're watching it grow…watching them get bigger. They just keep outdoing themselves.”

The momentum that Geese has amassed leading into the release of Getting Killed is unreal, and being at a free-to-the-public NYC street-show to celebrate the album feels like an undeniably historic and iconic moment.

Geese Nation at Banker’s Anchor by Tommy Krause

GETTING KILLED

As the start time of 4PM approached, mobs of people started to fill in the street, packing themselves in tightly towards the stage. An army of Geese fans and onlookers were spread all the way up and down the block. Getting Killed-producer Kenneth Blume and many well-known NYC musicians also turned out to witness this major moment.

The band made their way to the stage right on time at 4PM. Cameron Winter entered wearing a Korn T-Shirt with white sneakers and jeans, Degisu rocked running shoes and baggy jeans, Emily Green was wearing a one shoulder white dress, and Max Bassin sported an “I <3 China” T-shirt with his trademark, Kurt Cobain-esque oversized shades. As the band got to their instruments, people encircled the stage on all sides, eagerly anticipating the performance.

Geese live at Banker’s Anchor by Tommy Krause

The band opened the show with an ominous but beautiful rendition of “Husbands”, building into Winter’s subtle power. The crowd passionately joined in with Winter for the “falling apart” refrain in the track's second half– which was one of many sing-alongs to come.

Next, the band launched into the haywire, choir-sample-rock of their new record's title track, “Getting Killed”, which got things loud and rowdy– it felt even more punk-rock than the studio rendition. The second portion of the song felt much more separated than in the studio recording, and it was given more time to breathe and as its own fascinating entity.

Cameron Winter muttered “The album came out yesterday” to significant cheers. Cameron was having fun joking between songs, and added “Now, everybody shout out your least fave!” In response, the crowd muttered too many different things at once, and Winter said in an endearing tone — “Aw… So many choices.”

In an effort to pile in on the humor, one fan sarcastically replied “Yeah it’s OK… I think maybe, it’s pretty good…”. Winter responded by saying “We have such amazing fans.”

After asking the audience if they had been to Lot Radio before, Winter made sure to shout out his favorite fictional DJs in a deadpan fashion— “DJ Helen Keller”, and “DJ Music” who (according to Winter) “play Lot Radio every single night”.

The band’s opening riff of “Islands of Men” got a loud response from the crowd. Dominic Degisu got to play the congas, and the song's crescendo built to great heights. This beautiful jam hit differently when played in the middle of the street, with thousands of excited onlookers and the city skyline in the background.

Geese live at Banker’s Anchor by Tommy Krause

“100 Horses” got the crowd going wild and feeding off its unruly stomp, skronky basslines and cynical gospel from Winter. The crowd fed off of Winter’s unruly energy and everyone was really starting to let loose.

“Half Real” was a twinkling heartbreaker that translated very well live, and its tragic lyrics hit deep. After the trance of “Half Real”, the energy ramped up to a double-dose of 3D Country– “2122’ morphed the crowd into a mosh, and resulted in some deafening crowd sing-alongs. Respectively, that track is a total hyped up-banger– this was the time and place to lose it.

“Mysterious Love” engaged the crowd in another huge vocal moment. Winter enthusiastically shouted “Some people are alone forever!” along with every enthusiastic onlooker that surrounded the band and chanted the refrain with him.

Geese live at Banker’s Anchor by Tommy Krause

“Au Pays Du Cocaine’ was even more majestic than the soundcheck moment, and it truly showcased Winter’s emotive vocal power. It feels like a link to the appeal of Heavy Metal, and it carries a yearning tone that is equally subtle and strong.

At the rock climbing center across the street from Banker’s Anchor, there was a huge crowd of folks watching the show from the roof. It's unclear how many were actually there for rock climbing or who went specifically to get a view of the show, but I would guess that the majority were fans. Winter pointed out these folks with a shout-out, but the street crowd booed them, for no good reason. Winter was back with his dry humor immediately– “We have a rivalry between the rooftop and the bottom dwellers……We like to sow division between our fans.”

When the band launched into “Bow Down”, folks started grooving like mad. Its funky high-energy was amplified tenfold in a live setting– especially in the extended jam portion, which featured incredible showmanship from drummer Max Bassin and wild basslines from Digesu. Geese’s performance of “Taxes” felt like the culmination of the excitement of the whole show releasing into one big cathartic peak. It was straight out of a movie, with its absolutely roaring sing-alongs– you can catch our reel of the cinematic moment here.

Closing with “Trinidad”, the band reeled into mayhem and Winter engaged in an epic shouting match with the audience. It was a totally killer and chaotic ender that was very passionately delivered.

My friend and I left feeling absolutely elated. The performance was powerful, special and intimate– it created a very close bond with the audience, the band, the songs and that unforgettable moment.

If one thing is clear after the release of Getting Killed, and this show– it’s that Geese have their finger on the pulse of the future of indie rock, and no one can keep their eyes and ears off of this group. With Getting Killed, the band is making indie rock bend to their own terms — Geese are one step ahead, and if you don't keep up, then that's on you.

Everybody always likes to highlight when a band is “having a major moment” – but to make that claim with the release of Getting Killed would be incredibly reductive. Geese (and Cameron Winter) have had many major moments since Projector– and everytime the group has a new “moment”, it's much more notable than the last.

This amalgamation of consecutive breakthroughs has resulted in such a legendary run– Geese is one of the most creative and talented young bands that rock has to offer in 2025. It's incredibly exciting to see Geese nab the torch of indie-rock for themselves. It was absolutely endearing and iconic to watch their hometown New York City-crowd gather around to cheer them on while they lead the way.

Check out the setlist and Gallery by Tommy Krause below!

All photos of Geese by Tommy Krause

( @_tommykrause_ )