Geese Triumph at Lollapalooza Despite United Airlines Losing Guitar as Cameron Winter Mocks the Airline

United Airlines Loses Geese’s Guitar Before Lollapalooza Performance

Geese turned adversity into one of the standout moments of Lollapalooza 2026, delivering a powerful performance despite losing one of their guitars after it was misplaced by United Airlines during transit.

The Brooklyn rock band, fronted by Cameron Winter, took to the Allianz Stage in Chicago after severe overnight storms had already delayed the festival’s opening by three hours. While much of the schedule was affected by the weather, Geese had another challenge to overcome before even playing a note.

Addressing the crowd with his trademark dry humor, Winter joked about the missing instrument.

“Thank you to United Airlines for losing our guitar. The buck stops at United tonight. The quality of the show is ‘up in the air,’ so to speak.”

Despite having to rely on a replacement guitar, the setback hardly slowed the band down. Geese opened with fan favorite “2122,” which Winter sarcastically dedicated to the airline, before launching into an energetic set that reminded fans why the group has become one of rock’s fastest-rising names.

Geese Respond to Critics With a Powerful Performance

The performance also served as a response to the criticism that has surrounded the band over the past year. Since releasing their latest album, Getting Killed, Geese has faced accusations ranging from being “industry plants” to benefiting from marketing hype rather than musicianship. Their rapid rise and even their Saturday Night Live appearance have been heavily scrutinized by some corners of the music world.

On Saturday, however, the music largely spoke for itself.

Winter’s distinctive vocal style drew comparisons to Lou Reed and Julian Casablancas, while guitarist Emily Green, bassist Dominic DiGesu and drummer Max Bassin delivered a tightly connected performance throughout the set. Songs including “Cowboy Nudes,” “100 Horses,” and “Trinidad” showcased the band’s blend of classic art-rock influences and modern indie experimentation.

Although some audience members were waiting for the next act on the neighboring T-Mobile Stage, Geese still attracted a sizable crowd. At one point, Winter jokingly asked who was performing after them, prompting fans to shout everything from the correct answer to “Nobody!” and “Who cares?”

The set balanced older fan favorites with newer material from Getting Killed. After opening with several earlier songs, the band transitioned into newer tracks such as “Au Pays du Cocaine,” before closing with the explosive “Taxes” and “Trinidad.”

Winter has also continued building momentum outside the band. His solo performance at the Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago last December highlighted his songwriting and stage presence, while his work with Geese has drawn praise from supporters including Courtney Love.

Following Lollapalooza, Geese will continue their busy touring schedule with appearances at Hinterland Music Festival in Saint Charles, Outside Lands in San Francisco, and later dates in the UK. The band is also scheduled to perform at Chicago’s Salt Shed on October 31 and November 1.

Elsewhere at Lollapalooza, severe weather forced Wolf Alice to lose half of their set, while the festival’s opening night featured Lorde bringing out Charli XCX and The Smashing Pumpkins welcoming Olivia Rodrigo for a guest appearance.

Geese Lollapalooza Setlist

1. ‘2122’
2. ‘Cowboy Nudes’
3. ‘I See Myself’
4. ‘Getting Killed’
5. ‘Jesse’
6. ‘100 Horses’
7. ‘Cobra’
8. ‘Gravity Blues’
9. ‘Bow Down’
10. ‘Au Pays du Cocaine’
11. ‘Taxes’
12. ‘Trinidad’

What’s Next for Geese?

Winter has also continued building momentum outside the band. His solo performance at the Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago last December highlighted his songwriting and stage presence, while his work with Geese has drawn praise from supporters including Courtney Love.

Following Lollapalooza, Geese will continue their busy touring schedule with appearances at Hinterland Music Festival in Saint Charles, Outside Lands in San Francisco, and later dates in the UK. The band is also scheduled to perform at Chicago’s Salt Shed on October 31 and November 1.

Elsewhere at Lollapalooza, severe weather forced Wolf Alice to lose half of their set, while the festival’s opening night featured Lorde bringing out Charli XCX and The Smashing Pumpkins welcoming Olivia Rodrigo for a guest appearance.