Umphrey’s McGee made its annual pilgrimage to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Friday for its first of two shows this weekend. The concert featured sit-ins from Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band) and Rory Dolan (lespecial), with the former helping the band debut David Bowie and Queen‘s “Under Pressure”.
Set one witnessed Umphrey’s reward the fans who trekked out to Morrison, CO with an offering of classics. After opening up with the less-road-tested “Bad Friday”, the band pulled out celebrated setlist staple “Divisions”, which segued into “Walltesworth” and was followed with “Slacker”. More recent compositions were sprinkled in as “Slacker” segued into “Speak Up” and “Little Gift”, with a reprise of “Divisions” bookending set one.
Umphrey’s Mcgee – “Bad Friday” – 6/17/22
Umphrey’s Mcgee – “Little Gift” > “Divisions” – 6/17/22 – Partial
[Video: aershko]
Coming back out for set two, Umphrey’s McGee delivered its second-ever performance of “Small Strides“. The band debuted the single from its upcoming album Asking For A Friend last Saturday in Portland, ME at a co-headlining show with The Disco Biscuits. After that run through the new material, it was back to the hits with a movement of “1348” > “Hajimemashite” > “Day Nurse”.
Umphrey’s McGee – “Small Strides” – 6/17/22
It then came time to open up the floor to special guests, with Hartswick lending her voice to one of the greatest collaborations in classic rock history. Her chemistry with the band is well-documented and well-established, and only a true friend can give the other the confidence to attempt to emulate either David Bowie or Freddie Mercury in front of 9,000+ people.
Umphrey’s Mcgee, Jennifer Hartswick – “Under Pressure” (David Bowie & Queen) – 6/17/22
[Video: DrummerJT7]
Related: Brendan Bayliss & Jennifer Hartswick Share Cover Of “Jolene” By Dolly Parton [Watch]
The guests kept coming as lespecial drummer Rory Dolan tagged in behind the kit mid-jam for “Phil’s Farm”. Dolan ultimately transitioned out as Umphrey’s led a segue into “The Triple Wide” and finally a reprise of “1348” that bookended set two much the same way “Divisions” did set one.
Returning for the encore, UM expressed its gratitude with “Much Obliged” before the show-closing commandment “Pay The Snucka”.
Full-show audio of Umphrey’s McGee at Red Rocks on Friday is available thanks to taper dallman, as well as pro-shot footage of lespecial’s opening set.
Umphrey’s McGee – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO – 6/17/22 – Full Show
lespecial – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO – 6/17/22 – Full Show
Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | Morrison, CO | 6/17/22
Set One: Bad Friday, Divisions > Walletsworth, Slacker > Speak Up > Little Gift > Divisions
Set Two: Small Strides, 1348 > Hajimemashite > Day Nurse, Under Pressure (David Bowie & Queen) [1], Phil’s Farm [2] > The Triple Wide > 1348
Encore: Much Obliged, Pay The Snucka
[1] w/ Jennifer Hartswick
[2] w/ Rory Dolan (lespecial) on drums