Progressive-jam masters Umphrey’s McGee stopped in Birmingham, AL last night to kick off their proper summer tour. After a slew of festival dates and one-off shows, the band hit the road last night for a six-show East Coast run, with the first stup at Birmingham’s Avondale Brewing Company.
Set one kicked off with the groovy “Conduit”, which was quickly followed by a pulsing “Padgett’s Profile”. Keeping the energy high, the band cued up “Tribute to the Spinal Shaft”, which moved deftly into “Cemetary Walk I”. Next up, the band worked a cover of The Beatles‘ “Baby You’re a Rich Man” into the middle of their Bela Fleck & The Flecktones‘-esque song, “Great American”. After a quick run through “Thin Air”, Umphrey’s closed their set in exciting fashion, as they invited American Idol-alum Taylor Hicks to the stage to help them out on a cover of “Can’t You See” by the Marshall Tucker Band.
Set two showcased some progressive heavy hitters, as Umphrey’s returned to the stage with a raging “Prowler” -> “Syncopated Strangers” -> “Miami Virtue” -> “Partiyn’ Peeps” sequence that drove the crowd absolutely wild. Up next was “Final Word”, a former lyrical “Jimmy Stewart” that was turned into a full song for UMBowl in 2013. The emotional track led directly into fan-favorite “40’s theme”, which dropped right into “Cemetery Walk II” to finish the second set up up. Umphrey’s then returned to the stage for a lone “Slacker” encore.
See below for video of Taylor Hicks sitting in on “Can’t You See”, courtesy of YouTube use Quazzbert, as well as full setlist details.
Check out footage of the encore as well, courtesy of wmiod9.
Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee at Avondale Brewing Company, Birmingham, AL – 7/7/16
Set One: Conduit, Padgett’s Profile, Tribute to the Spinal Shaft -> Cemetery Walk I, Great American -> Baby You’re a Rich Man[1] -> Great American, Thin Air, Can’t You See [2]
Set Two: Prowler -> Syncopated Strangers -> Miami Virtue -> Partyin’ Peeps, Final Word -> 40’s Theme, Cemetery Walk II
E: Slacker
[1] The Beatles cover
[2] Marshall Tucker Band cover; w/ Taylor Hicks on harmonica and vocals
Photos by Paul Citone:
