Umphrey’s McGee opened up their 2017 tour with a three-night run in Atlanta, returning to the famed Tabernacle with full force. Last night was an evening of rarities, bringing back songs from their expansive songbook to celebrate their 18th performance at the venue and first of three for the weekend. Also in celebration was Joel Cummins‘ birthday, who picked out the setlist for the night.
Opening with the intro song “Bathing Digits”, Umphrey’s quickly transitioned into the high energy dance number “Bad Friday”. After the progressive favorite “Morning Song”, the band worked through a three song segment that featured some of their most beloved older material. The reggae-tinged “FF” wound it’s way into an ultra rare “Last Man Swerving”, making it’s first appearance in 175 shows before the band eventually wound into their mutli-sectional epic “2×2”. The band ended the set with some intense back-to-back metal songs, with “Wizard Burial Ground” leading into “Sludge & Death.”
The band shared the opening moments through Facebook Live, which you can watch below:
Set two continued with the theme, featuring more older material, as Umphrey’s came out of the gates sprinting with a ridiculous “Der Bluten Kat” > “Sociable Jimmy” > “Der Bluten Kat” segment. The band took a quick breath, and then launched into a rare “We’re Going To War”. They transitioned into “Out Of Order” before kicking into high gear with “40’s Theme”, which featured a tease of Michael McDonald‘s “I Keep Forgetting.” The second set ended with an awesome “Miami Virtue” with “Stairway To Heaven” teases before the band crushed a set-closing cover of Jimi Hendrix’s Band Of Gypsys‘ “Power Of Soul.”
For their encore, the six piece turned to one of their most reliable and impactful songs, “Divisions”, the perfect song to play on the opening night of a three night run in front of some of their most hardcore fans.
You can listen to the full show audio below, courtesy of taper NSL:
The band will return to the stage tonight for their second of three performances at The Tab before heading to Richmond next week for two more nights, then continuing on their tour. Check out the setlist below, from All Thing Uumphreys. A full gallery can also be seen below, as provided by Phierce Photo.
Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | The Tabernacle | Atlanta, GA | 1/13/17
Set 1: Bathing Digits > Bad Friday, Morning Song, FF > Last Man Swerving > 2×2, Wizard Burial Ground > Sludge & Death
Set 2: Der Bluten Kat > Sociable Jimmy > Der Bluten Kat, We’re Going to War -> Out Of Order > 40’s Theme[1], Miami Virtue[2] > Power of Soul
Encore: Divisions[3]
[1] with I Keep Forgettin’ (Michael McDonald) teases
[2] with Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin) tease
[3] with Third Stone from the Sun (Jimi Hendrix) teases