Widespread Panic and Umphrey’s McGee wrapped up their third and final night of a mini-tour together over the weekend in Pittsburgh, PA at Stage AE. Set in the shadow of Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Sunday crowd was amped to see two of the scene’s most notable heavyweights, showing up early and staying late until the last note had wrung out.
[PHOTO BY BEN PETCHEL]
UM took the stage a little after 6:30 and wasted no time proceeding with their assault on the Pittsburgh faithful. Supplying their trademark of heavy riffs and tight grooves, the McGee Boys put forth a well-balanced set, moving through nodes of prog-rock, dance music, funk, and metal (Pittsburgh loves their metal). Drummer Kris Meyers and percussion player Andy Farag really shined during the performance. Their relentless intensity and synchronicity make them one of the most enjoyable tandems to watch in the jam band community today.
The centerpiece of the set came in the form of a “Wizard Burial Ground > Glory > Wizard Burial Ground” sandwich. An awesome mixture of UM’s heavy, ominous licks interrupted by angelic, triumphant tones, it was a superb showcase of the band’s range and ability to stop and pivot on a dime. Nevertheless, the highlight of the set was undoubtedly the cover of The Who’s “Eminence Front” with Panic’s Jimmy Herring, Jojo Hermann, and Duane Trucks all sitting in. From a writer who never thought he would see the song performed live, it was nothing short of spectacular.
Widespread Panic picked up where Umphrey’s McGee left off – hot and heavy. Beginning with a breezy “Drums Jam”, WSP eased on into an enthusiastic “Holden Oversoul,” a beautiful segue to jump-start their set. The playing all night had been relatively heavy, and Panic made sure to drive that point home. They blistered through an awesome 1-2 punch of “Big Wooly Mammoth” and a slowed down, grooved out “Imitation Leather Shoes” before making their way to versions of “Rebirtha,” Tom Waits’ “Goin’ Out West” and “Steven’s Cat.”
[PHOTO BY BEN PETCHEL]
The latter half of Panic’s set featured a mesmerizing drums and bass section from Duane Trucks, percussionist Sunny Ortiz and bassist Dave Schools. Although he’s only been part of the band for a short while, one would think Trucks had been playing with WSP for a decade already. The dude has chops.
To round out their set, WSP invited UM’s Breden Bayliss onto the stage for a surprising take on Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth,” only the fourth time ever the band has played the tune, and the third time they’ve played it this year (1/24 and 3/20). With a hardy “Fishwater” to end the set, WSP would return for the encore with Bayliss as well as UM’s Joel Cummins on keyboards for a sultry version of Robert Johnson’s “Me and the Devil Blues.” Finally, an “Action Man” closer rightfully capped the set off and wrapped up one awesome display of musicianship from two scorching hot bands. As the saying goes, Never Miss A Sunday Show!
[PHOTO BY BEN PETCHEL]
Setlists: Umphrey’s McGee and Widespread Panic at Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA, June 21st 2015
Umphrey’s McGee (via UM Twitter)
Set: Similar Skin, Deeper > Believe the Lie, Women Wine and Song, Wizard Burial Ground > Glory > Wizard Burial Ground, Hangover, Jajunk, Eminence Front [1]
[1] with Jimmy Herring, Jojo Hermann and Duane Trucks
Widespread Panic (via PanicStream)
Set: Jam > Holden Oversoul, Tickle The Truth > Henry Parsons Died, You Got Yours, Big Wooly Mammoth, Imitation Leather Shoes, Aunt Avis, Rebirtha > Goin’ Out West, Steven’s Cat, Papa’s Home > Drums & Bass > Drums > Papa’s Home, For What It’s Worth*, Fishwater
Encore: Me and the Devil Blues**, Action Man
* – w/ Brendan Bayliss on guitar & vocals ** – w/ Brendan Bayliss on guitar; Joel Cummins on keys
