Photos by Amanda Romankiw
For three nights only, Brooklyn rock band Geese took over one of Los Angeles’ most iconic landmarks, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The ambiance of Hollywood Forever encapsulated Geese’s inescapable presence and attractive cadence — the grounds were lined with majestic bodies of water and the spirits of Hollywood royalty loomed over the estate, from David Lynch to Judy Garland.
This residency was a part of the second leg of their North American tour for Getting Killed, their third studio album, which was released September of last year. Crowned the No. 1 album of 2025 by the New York Times, the attention Getting Killed received catapulted the band onto the global stage, where it earned unyielding praise from critics, rock legends, and fans alike. In their cover story for the October issue of Rolling Stone, the band discussed how this rapid surge in popularity had led people, including themselves, to question the authenticity of this newfound fanbase. However, Geese’s success continues to prove itself to be nothing but the result of years of hard work, the support of a cult following, and the band’s clear passion for creating music together, especially if Thursday’s show was any indication.
As the clock struck 8, the lights dimmed and the crowd roared. In unison, each member of the band took their place at their respective station. Unexpectedly, lead singer Cameron Winter sat down at a piano in the corner of the stage, as the band descended into “Long Island City Here I Come.”
“Oh Charles, tell me about the end
You were there the day the music died
And I'll be there the day it dies again”
The blend of Winter’s deep yowls and the band’s electric clash was provocative and addictive — an opening number that only left the crowd hungry for more. Leaving his post at the piano, Winter took the front of the stage with his guitar to jam out with his crew.
While Winter may be the frontman, I found it hard to keep my eyes off of the rest of the band. Emily Green played her guitar with such intensity, drummer Max Bassin lit up the stage with a fiery energy, and bassist Dominic DiGesu bridged these harmonic sounds together masterfully. Having grown up together in New York, Geese officially formed in 2016, cultivating an undeniable chemistry since childhood that has been key to their successful live performances.
Returning to the piano, Cameron began to sweetly hum the opening of “Cobra,” as the nostalgic instrumentals followed suit.
“Baby, let me wash your feet forever
Baby, you can stay at my house forever and ever
Baby, let me dance away
Let me dance away forever”
Suddenly, I felt transported back to winter of last year, when I initially discovered the band. Past memories flooded my mind, and I couldn’t help but stare in awe as the band I had fallen in love with stood in front of me.
Throughout the night, Geese paid homage to their sophomore album, 3D Country. Following a dramatic pause, Winter chanted the opening lines of “2122,” as the band broke out into heavy instrumentals, and a colorful frenzy lit up the stage.
“God of the sun I'm taking you down on the inside”
In typical Winter fashion, he paused the song midway to pull out his phone and play Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” Adding to this cheeky bit, the band began to overplay the classic tune with abrasive drums and guitar before continuing their song, giving the crowd a taste of what they get up to when they’re back jamming in their Brooklyn basement.
Once again, Winter found his way to the piano for a transcendent rendition of “Half Real.” His body was enveloped in fog, as if the spirits of Hollywood Forever were dancing around his silhouette. This performance was especially evocative and emotional, with the gut-wrenching lyrics elevated by Winter’s sorrowful vocals.
“They may say that our love
Was only half real
But that's only half true”
When the band closed out their set, they cleared the stage one by one and the audience let out unbridled screams, pleading for an encore. Just like that, Geese made their way back to the stage and grabbed their instruments for one last song. Knowing just what was coming next, the crowd began to stir as the opening notes of “Trinidad” made their way through the sound system. Once Winter shouted out the chorus, the crowd completely lost control, creating an unavoidable mosh pit.
“There's a bomb in my car
There's a bomb in my car
There's a bomb in my car”
Security didn’t seem prepared for what the crowd had in store as they pulled people out of the pit and carried them over their shoulders. Alas, their efforts could not keep up with the chaos, as the crowd grew even more rampant with each chorus. The energy didn’t settle until the final riff of the guitar, when Geese departed from the audience for a final time.
As the crowd scattered across the cemetery grounds following the show, I was able to get a better look at the much-discussed Geese fanbase. Contrary to what the internet would have you believe, they were real people, not bots, and along with your stereotypical Silver Lake cowboy, people were dressed in Geese onesies and crocheted hats. I even saw a sailor in a big green coat, in honor of the beloved line from “Au Pays du Cocaine.”
Geese’s unshakable force was evident at Hollywood Forever, and this sold-out run is only the start of their tenacious journey to the top.
Listen to Getting Killed below!
