Umphrey’s McGee celebrated its 24th birthday with an unforgettable performance at Syracuse, NY’s Landmark Theatre on Friday night.
On January 21st, 1998 UM staged its first-ever show at the now-closed Bridget McGuire’s Filling Station in South Bend, IN. While the lineup looked a bit different—sans Jake Cinninger (guitar), Kris Myers (drums), and Andy Farag (percussion)—all the makings were there for a band that would ultimately bring its music to the masses. In 2002, after Cinninger and Farag linked up with Brendan Bayliss (guitar/vocals), Joel Cummins (keys), Ryan Stasik (bass), and then-drummer Mike Mirro, the band released 2002’s Local Band Does O.K., marking its extensive foray into progressive rock and complex compositions.
In honor of its 24th birthday, Umphrey’s McGee delivered this widely-celebrated album in full for the Landmark Theatre crowd. Beginning at 7:33 p.m., the six-piece roared into “Andy’s Last Beer” before making its way through “Uncle Wally”, “Hurt Bird Bath”, and “Headphones & Snowcones”. Playing the album in order, the first set also included takes on “Ringo”, “Blue Echo”, “The Empire State”, and “White Man’s Moccasins”.
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Just after 9 p.m., the band came back for more, finishing the album with takes on “Prowler”, “2nd Self”, “Roulette”, and a massive segue that linked “Dough Bro”, “Water”, and “Nothing Too Fancy”. With time still left on the clock after finishing its run through Local Band Does O.K., Umphrey’s provided the Syracuse faithful with another surprise, the live debut of its latest studio track, “I Don’t Know What I Want“. After finishing the second set with a raucous take on “Partyin’ Peeps”, the band returned for a one-song encore, proving that the local band is still doing okay with “Slacker”.
Below, check out a collection of fan-shot photos from Umphrey’s McGee’s performance at Landmark Theatre.
Up next, UM will continue its 2022 winter tour at Albany, NY’s Palace Theatre tonight, January 22nd, followed by a stop at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe, PA tomorrow (1/23). Head to the band’s website for tickets and a full list of tour dates, and scroll down for a detailed setlist.
Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | Landmark Theatre | Syracuse, NY | 1/21/22
Set One: Andy’s Last Beer, Uncle Wally, Hurt Bird Bath, Headphones & Snowcones, Ringo, Blue Echo > The Empire State, White Man’s Moccasins
Set Two: Prowler > 2nd Self, Roulette, Dough Bro > Water > Nothing Too Fancy, I Don’t Know What I Want [1], Partyin’ Peeps
Encore: Slacker
Notes:
[1] Live debut