The calendar can move quickly when a band spends a lot of its days on the road. That’s especially true for an outfit that’s toured as ambitiously as Umphrey’s McGee, a group currently out playing a long list of dates to commemorate 25 years of making music and memories together.
A jam band formed back in the late 90s in South Bend but headquartered in Chicago, Umphrey’s has impressively played more than 1,900 shows to become one of the most beloved entities on the circuit, emerging in the competitive jam scene as an astounding live act empowered by the talents and synergy of its longtime, talented roster.
It’s a unit that’s been electrifying audiences since the lineup solidified in the early 2000s: lead vocalist and guitarist Brendan Bayliss, keyboardist (and Thursday birthday boy) Joel Cummins, bass player Ryan Stasik, percussionist Andy Farag, guitarist Jake Cinninger and drummer Kris Myers.
Embarking on what the band has dubbed the umXXV Anniversary Tour, it began this past Thursday and Friday night in the nation’s capital of all places with what would be festive back-to-back gigs at D.C.’s 9:30 Club, one of the most popular venues in all the land.
Friday was sold out weeks ago and Thursday appeared to be close to full as the two-floor club saw passionate Umphrey’s fans on both levels boogying and basking in the wild mix of sounds this band churned out across two fulfilling sets and a two-song encore.
Along the way, fans were treated to memorable choice takes on songs from last summer’s Umphrey’s studio album, Asking For A Friend, including a dazzling edition of “Pure Saturation” colored by Jake’s mastery of the electric guitar and the use of the trademark custom-made mod device, The Jake Blade. And as if he hadn’t blown minds enough already in the first half of the night, the incredible Cinninger kicked off the second with a stunning tribute to the late Jeff Beck through a cover of “Led Boots.”
Wearing a warm smile throughout the night, Bayliss was sure to express his gratitude to the fans in attendance, so many of whom he knows like family.
“DC, this room, 9:30 Club,” he said. “Thank you all so much for showing us 25 years of support.”
Umphrey’s McGee 9:30 Club in Washington D.C on Jan. 12, 2023
Set 1:
The Triple Wide-> Pure Saturation, Professor Wormbog, Cemetery Walk > Got Your Milk (Right Here), Exit Signs, Cemetery Walk II
Set 2:
Led Boots, Plunger > Small Strides, Ringo, Kimble, Push the Pig
Encore:
Mantis Ghetts, 1348
Show Notes:
with Birthday (The Beatles) tease after Cemetery Walk II; for Joel and Chris Mitchell
last Led Boots 2015-01-18 (622 shows)
Led Boots played in remembrance of Jeff Beck
All photos copyright and courtesy of Casey Ryan Vock.
