Just one day after performing a monster four-set showing at the Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, the indomitable musical force of Umphrey’s McGee returned to the storied venue to close out a two-night run in style. While not the thematically resounding performance as an “UMBowl,” the band was able to relax after completing the four quarter challenge and rock out with a show full of highlights.
The band opened up with “You Got The Wrong Guy > Speak Up,” keeping things grooving with some of their classic tunes in the first set. “Bridgeless,” “Hajimemashite,” “Dump City,” “Nemo” and “In the Kitchen” all made appearances in the first half, allowing fans old and new to enjoy the band’s potented brand of musical magic. After “Nemo,” the band brought out horn players Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman to join in on two classics, UM’s “Red Tape” and Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough.”
After a brief respite, the band returned to the stage for the second half of this incredible show. There, the group got into tracks like “Attachments” and “1348,” including a fun “Woody Woodpecker” theme prior to the latter. After more UM classics like “The Triple Wide > Bridgeless” and “Puppet String,” the band made their biggest bust out of the night: Sade’s “No Ordinary Love.” Played for the first time since 5/25/97 (991 shows), UM welcomed out Jennifer Hartswick to sing the lead on the tune. Hartswick is an impressive vocalist, and there’s no doubt that she nailed it.
Hartswick then remained on stage, bringing back Natalie Cressman to complete the horn section duo for “Women Wine and Song > Wife Soup.” The two Umphrey’s songs were only accentuated by the power of the horn section.
The band returned to play “Controversy” in the encore, before welcoming the horn players back for the grand finale, “Bad Friday.” What a show! Next up for Umphrey’s McGee is a multi-night appearance at their famed Summer Camp Music Festival at the end of the month. You can check out the full setlist from last night’s show below, courtesy of All Things Umphrey’s.
Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee at Brooklyn Bowl, Las Vegas, NV – 5/7/16
Set 1: You Got the Wrong Guy > Speak Up, Bridgeless > Hajimemashite, Dump City, Nemo > In The Kitchen > Nemo, Red Tape[1], Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough[1]
Set 2: Attachments, 1348, The Triple Wide > Bridgeless, Puppet String, No Ordinary Love[2], Women Wine and Song[1] > Wife Soup[1]
Encore: Controversy > Bad Friday[1]
[1] with Jennifer Hartswick on trumpet and Natalie Cressman on trombone
[2] with Jennifer Hartswick on vocals
Notes:
with Woody Woodpecker theme (George Tibbles and Ramey Idriss) tease before 1348
last No Ordinary Love 05.25.2007 (991 shows)
Photos were captured during night one by Phil Clarkin. See a full gallery below:
