This Christmas, Umphrey’s McGee is gifting nugs subscribers complete footage of the band’s spectacular “Best Show on Earth” circus-themed 2004 New Year’s Eve show at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre featuring horns and special guest Minikiss.

The band opened the New Year’s run the night prior with support from Buckethead, who had just finished a tour with Colonel Claypool’s Bucket of Bernie Brains, and returned to the Riviera Theatre on New Year’s Eve with Minikiss, the KISS tribute made up entirely of little people, who were pretty big at the time due to KISS’ resurgence following the band’s reunion in the late ’90s.

Minikiss joined Umphrey’s onstage in addition to August Haas and Rob Parton on trumpet, Tim Sullivan on tenor saxophone, and Tom Matta on trombone, who augmented the band’s sound on several tunes. The set also featured instrument switching among the members of the band, with Kris Myers taking over vocals while Jake Cinninger played drums.

Umphrey’s went all in on the circus theme, giving fans “The Best Show on Earth,” with side shows, acrobats, jugglers, and balloon animals, not to mention two trapeze artists performing at the front of the stage.

Tune in to the premiere of Umphrey’s McGee’s 12/31/2004 “Best Show on Earth” New Year’s Eve show below on December, 25th at 8 p.m. ET, and stream the full show on nugs.net, free of charge for all nugs subscribers.

UM will return to the Riviera Theatre to round out its year-long 25th-anniversary celebration with a three-night run on December 29th, 30th, and 31st with drummers Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Rory Dolan (lespecial), and Ben Atkind (formerly of Goose) filling in for Kris Meyers. lespecial will serve as support on December 29th and 30th, while the three-set New Year’s Eve performance will include accompaniment by Mad Dog’s Filthy Little Secret Horns featuring Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band). For tickets and a full list of Umphrey’s McGee’s upcoming tour dates, visit the band’s website.

Umphrey’s McGee – 12/31/2004

Setlist [via All Things Umphrey’s]: Umphrey’s McGee | The Riviera Theatre  | Chicago, IL | 12/31/04

Set 1:Divisions, Great American, Sociable Jimmy, Prowler[1] > Anchor Drops, 2nd Self, The Crooked One, Nopener[2]

Set 2:Robot World[3] > Partyin’ Peeps, Ophelia[4], Mail Package[5], Nopener[6], Panama[7], Miss Tinkle’s Overture > Mulche’s Odyssey, The Triple Wide, Sledgehammer[8], Women Wine and Song[5]

Set 3:Don’t Do It[9], Slacker[5], Bright Lights, Big City[5] > Auld Lang Syne[10], Plunger[11], JaJunk, Push the Pig, Ringo[12], Late in the Evening[5], Wife Soup[13]

Encore:Good Morning Good Morning[14]

2nd Encore:In The Kitchen[15]
Footnotes:
[1] with Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love (Van Halen) tease
[2] with Mini Kiss on stage
[3] with Entrance of the Gladiators (Julius Fucik) tease
[4] debut, The Band; with August Haas and Rob Parton on trumpet, Tim Sullivan on tenor saxophone, and Tom Matta on trombone
[5] with August Haas and Rob Parton on trumpet, Tim Sullivan on tenor saxophone, and Tom Matta on trombone
[6] “lounge version” with August Haas and Rob Parton on trumpet, Tim Sullivan on tenor saxophone, and Tom Matta on trombone
[7] “lounge version” with Kris on vocals, Jake on drums, and with with August Haas and Rob Parton on trumpet, Tim Sullivan on tenor saxophone, and Tom Matta on trombone
[8] debut, Peter Gabriel; with August Haas and Rob Parton on trumpet, Tim Sullivan on tenor saxophone, and Tom Matta on trombone
[9] debut, The Band (Holland / Dozier / Holland); with August Haas and Rob Parton on trumpet, Tim Sullivan on tenor saxophone, and Tom Matta on trombone
[10] with August Haas and Rob Parton on trumpet, Tim Sullivan on tenor saxophone, and Tom Matta on trombone; with Mini Kiss on stage
[11] with two trapeze artists (Bridget Muldoon on audience right and Beth Stare on audience left) performing on trapezes at the front of the stage
[12] with My Name Is Mud (Primus) tease
[13] with August Haas and Rob Parton on trumpet, Tim Sullivan on tenor saxophone, and Tom Matta on trombone; with two trapeze artists (Bridget Muldoon on audience right and Beth Stare on audience left) performing on trapezes at the front of the stage
[14] debut, The Beatles; with August Haas and Rob Parton on trumpet, Tim Sullivan on tenor saxophone, and Tom Matta on trombone
[15] Brendan and Jake started playing while off-stage; with Thunderstruck (AC/DC) tease

Show Notes:The Best Show on Earth circus theme – with side shows, acrobats (Erika Gilfether and Andrew Adams), jugglers, and balloon animals