Umphrey’s McGee was back in action on Friday night with the band’s first show of the new decade at New York City’s Beacon Theatre. The performance also marked the start of a three-show run in New York City this weekend and featured a thrilling first set sit-in for an impressive tribute to late Rush drummer Neil Peart.

Related: Umphrey’s McGee Adds Spring Dates To ‘Hindsight 20/20’ Tour

The band opened the show with “Unsung Hero” before quickly moving into “JaJunk” which featured note-for-note unison on the guitars from Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger. The music moved into “Ocean Billy” as Bayliss led the way on vocals for the first lyric-based song of the night. The band launched the audience into the hyperdrive thanks to the computerized notation flowing from keyboardist Joel Cummins, with the occasional drop into headbang-inspiring power chords during the lengthy jam. Bayliss made a point to introduce the band’s new, 24-year-old lighting director Ben Factor to the New York City crowd. Factor’s lighting abilities were on full display throughout the night, and Umphrey’s fans should be thrilled to have him aboard as the band charges into the new decade.

The set continued with “Speak Up”, which featured a solid jam that built up to an outrageous solo from Cinninger. “Wizard Burial Ground” came next, and the performance of the high-energy thrash metal song treated fans to more wizard-like keyboard work from Cummins. The music moved right into “Deeper” to give Cummins, Bayliss, and Cinninger the chance to show off their three-part choral vocals. They continued into “Den” and returned to “Wizard Burial Ground” to end the three-song, four-part segue. The set came to a thrilling close with a guest sit-in from Doom Flamingo singer Kanika Moore, who sang vocals to help the band pay tribute to Neil Peart with their debut cover of “Anthem” from the famous prog-rock band’s 1975 Fly By Night album.

Watch the sit-in from Moore during Friday’s set one closer below.

The band returned to open the second half of the show with their newest original tune, “Suxity”, which moved right into the completion of “JaJunk”. “Breaker” came next, followed by a performance of “Wappy Sprayberry” which was accompanied by an incredible light show courtesy of Factor that matched all the energy of the hard-hitting rock tune. The music moved right into the two-part guitar intro to “Mulche’s Odyssey” with Cinninger and Bayliss once again in complete sync with each other. Cinninger even let out an “NYC WE LOVE YOU!” during his verse lines.

“Half Delayed” and “It Doesn’t Matter” closed the set, only to see the band return to send fans home with an encore of “The Weight Around” and “The Silent Type”.

Umphrey’s returns to the Beacon Theatre on Saturday to continue their New York City weekend run. Head to the band’s website for ticket info.

Scroll down for a full gallery from Friday’s performance, courtesy of photographer Chris Capaci.

Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | Beacon Theatre | New York, NY | 1/17/20

Set One: Unsung Hero > JaJunk > Ocean Billy, Speak Up, Wizard Burial Ground* > Deeper > Den > Wizard Burial Ground, Anthem^ (Rush cover)

Set Two: Suxity > JaJunk, Breaker, Wappy Sprayberry? > Mulche’s Odyssey, Half Delayed > It Doesn’t Matter

Encore: The Weight Around > The Silent Type$

Notes:
* Began with More Than Words (Extreme) tease
^ Live debut, Kanika Moore on vocals
? “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” by The Rolling Stones tease, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” jam
$ “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne jam

After Saturday night’s show, don’t miss SuperNatural Beings‘ official after party featuring Umphrey’s McGee’s Joel Cummins and Jake Cinninger as well as Marcus Rezak, Ashish Vyas, and drummer Aaron Johnston. A portion of the proceeds will benefit medical bills for Johnston, who is suffering from Fabry Disease and is in need of a kidney transplant.

Tickets to the Supernatural Beings late-night at Sony Hall on Saturday, January 18th in support of Johnston’s medical bills are available here. For additional information and event updates, check out the Facebook Event page. 

For full event info, including poster art by Kellin Townsend, see below.

Date: Saturday, January 18th, 2020
Show: Live For Live Music Presents: An Official Umphrey’s McGee After-Party with Supernatural Beings ft. Joel Cummins, Ashish Vyas, Aaron Johnston, Marcus Rezak & Special Guest Jake Cinninger
Venue: Sony Hall – 235 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
Tickets: $22 advance / $30 day of show / $40 VIP
Time: Doors –  11:30 PM / Show – 12:30 AM