In a Fall relatively short on tour dates, Umphrey’s McGee played the first of a quick two-night run at Madison, Wisconsin’s Orpheum Theatre last night, continuing the years-long trend of incredible Umphrey’s shows in Wisconsin. After a funky opening set from SunSquabi opened the evening, Umphrey’s took the stage. Before the music could begin, the band had to address a curious elephant in the room: bassist Ryan Stasik, known to be a die-hard Pittsburgh sports fan, was sporting a Chicago Cubs jersey–a sight no Umphreak had ever witnessed prior–and made a point of acknowledging that his surprising Chi-town gear was the result of a lost bet with his bandmates. Watch the show opener here.
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What the first set lacked in improv and jamming it made up for in a great set list. The set seemed to be plucked from 10 years ago/ “Hurt Bird Bath” was dark and energetic. “Passing” seems to be turning up more and more, and that’s undoubtedly a good thing. The Doobie Brothers’ “Black Water” slowed things down and allowed the audience to sing along before a fiery “Bottom Half” with “Eat” sandwiched inside to close the first frame.
Watch crowd-shot footage of “Soul Food I” below via YouTube user Marian Moon:
Watch crowd-shot footage of “The Bottom Half” below via YouTube user nothingtoofancy42:
The second set saw another wardrobe change from Stasik, who had traded his cubs shirt for a Houston Astros jersey in honor of their recent World Series win. “Ringo” was a great way to start off the second set, and it was a monster. The band found a very danceable groove that they were able to build and build until the final chorus struck, making for perhaps the best improvisation of the night. Watch the second set opener here.
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“1348” also featured some top-notch jamming, but instead of building to a peak, they took a left turn into fan favorite “Glory”. A strong segment of the the show came in the form of Pink Floyd’s “In the Flesh” and “Another Brick in the Wall.” “In the Kitchen” had everyone singing along again, if just to mention what could make one old, like Joel. Finally, they found their way back into the unfinished “1348” from earlier in the set for a heavy-metal finish before a “40’s Theme” dance party sent the crowd home buzzing.
With one more show in Madison, UM is zeroing in on twenty years together, and this evening’s show is sure to be a treat.
Below, check out a gallery of photos from last night’s Umphrey’s show at The Orpheum Theatre in Madison, WI courtesy of photographer Daniel Ojeda.
SETLIST: Umphrey’s McGee | The Orpheum Theatre | Madison, WI | 11/3/17
Set 1: You Got the Wrong Guy > Hurt Bird Bath, Passing, Soul Food I -> Mail Package[1], Den > Black Water, The Bottom Half > Eat -> The Bottom Half
Set 2: Ringo, Make It Right > 1348 > Glory > 2nd Self, In the Flesh? > Another Brick in the Wall -> In The Kitchen > 1348
Encore: 40’s Theme
[1] with Entrance of the Gladiators (Julius Fučík) tease
Support: SunSquabi
