In the lead-up to the band’s 25th birthday, Umphrey’s McGee returned to Brooklyn Bowl to kick off a three-show celebration in New York. The concert precedes a two-night run at The Capitol Theatre, with Saturday marking exactly 25 years since UM’s first concert.

The prog-jam sextet had some presents of its own stashed away for those who came out to get the birthday run started. The highlight of the show came midway through the second set, as Umphrey’s McGee carried a “Miami Virtue” jam carried into the first “Red Baron” in 17 years. The band last performed the Billy Cobham jazz instrumental on April 30th, 2005 at Tipitina’s in New Orleans during Jazz Fest. Of note, Umphrey’s McGee performed “Red Baron” at its first-ever concert on January 21st, 1998 at Bridget McGuire’s Filling Station in South Bend, IN.

The birthday surprises didn’t end there. As the band came out for the encore, Brooklyn Bowl (and Capitol Theatre) owner Peter Shapiro presented Umphrey’s with a custom-painted bowling pin before leading the audience in “Happy Birthday” for the band. UM joined in on the celebration as well, teasing “Happy Birthday” in the “The Fussy Dutchman” encore before closing the show with “Booth Love”.

Check out a gallery of images from Umphrey’s McGee at Brooklyn Bowl on Thursday courtesy of photographers Andrew Blackstein and Ken Spielman. Tickets for the band’s Friday and Saturday shows at The Capitol Theatre, including after shows at Garcia’s from Heaven Help Us featuring Ryan Stasik (Friday) and Death Kings (Saturday), are on sale here.

Umphrey’s McGee – Happy Birthday (from Pete Shapiro) – 1/19/2023

[Video: Chad Sclove]

Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | Brooklyn Bowl | New York, NY | 1/19/23

Set One: Educated Guess, Hiccup, Kabump > 2×2 > Liquid > Domino Theory > Slacker

Set Two: Der Bluten Kat-> The Fuzz > Der Bluten Kat, Miami Virtue-> Red Baron, No Comment > Pay the Snucka[1]

Encore: The Fussy Dutchman[2] > Booth Love[3]

Footnotes:
[1] with Forty Six & 2 (Tool) and Eruption (Van Halen) teases
[2] with Happy Birthday (trad.) teases
[3] with Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees) jam and quotes

Show Notes: last Red Baron 2005-4-30 (1,761 shows)
before The Fussy Dutchman, venue owner Pete Shapiro led the crowd in “Happy Birthday” for the band