Kris Myers Returns For First Full Show With Umphrey's McGee In Five Months [Audio]

Umphrey’s McGee welcomed longtime drummer Kris Myers back to his proper place behind the kit on Thursday for his first full show with the band since July. Myers was forced to sit out half of the band’s touring year after undergoing rotator cuff surgery this past summer. In his place, Umphrey’s employed a stable of ringers including Duane Trucks (Widespread Panic), Ben Atkind (formerly of Goose), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), and more.

Last night’s show at The Fillmore Charlotte in North Carolina was not Myers’ first time playing with Umphrey’s post-surgery. True to his word, he sat out the remainder of the band’s performances in 2023 following his operation. After the clock struck midnight on December 31st and it was officially 2024, however, Myers wasted no time rejoining his bandmates as he sat in with his own band on “The Silent Type” for Umphrey’s McGee’s first song of the new year.

The band was met with a roar of applause as it took the stage for its first concert of the new year. Boldly proving that Kris was all healed up, Umphrey’s delivered a starting gun of an opener with a 17-minute “JaJunk”. Sprawling improvisation was the theme of the evening—as well as the all-original setlist featuring no covers—with a lengthy take on “Similar Skin” arriving after a quick sprint through “Fenced In”. In a fitting nod to nascent 2024, Umphrey’s McGee offered up a New Year’s “Resolution” which, paired with “The Bottom Half”, ran for over 20 minutes before “Dump City” closed the set.

Returning for set two, Umphrey’s once again came out swinging with a 23-minute “Mantis”. This “Mantis” proved the highlight of the show (later confirmed by keyboardist Joel Cummins on X, formerly known as Twitter). The patient jam took its time to develop, gathering speed through a low rumble before guitarist Jake Cinninger hit the gas with rapid-fire licks. Not wanting to burn out, the band pulled back on the throttle for a spacey breakdown midway through, propelled by Cummins’ organ work ahead of the climactic closing coda.

Between songs, guitarist/vocalist Brendan Bayliss offered his words of wisdom to a newly married couple in the crowd: “Don’t f –k it up.” After a quick “2nd Self”, Umphrey’s went deep yet again on a 13-minute “Miami Virtue”, with the rambunctious and rowdy jam leading into the bluesy honky-tonk of “Women Wine and Song”. Following the brief barroom foray, Umphrey’s got back to business with a set-closing pairing of “Draconian” and “Wife Soup” that neared the 30-minute mark. Taking the stage one last time, Umphrey’s McGee fired off a short-but-potent “Make It Right” that burnt off any remaining fuel for Kris Myers’ first show back

Listen to full show audio from Umphrey’s McGee’s Thursday show in Charlotte below via nugs.net. The band rolls on to Raleigh, NC for a show tonight, January 12th (Joel’s birthday) at The Ritz. For tickets and a full list of tour dates head here.

Umphrey’s McGee – The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC – 1/11/23 – Full Audio

Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | The Fillmore | Charlotte, NC | 1/11/23

Set 1: JaJunk, Fenced In, Similar Skin, Resolution > The Bottom Half, Dump City

Set 2: Preamble > Mantis, 2nd Self, Miami Virtue > Women Wine and Song, Draconian > Wife Soup

Encore: Make It Right