2010

There was positivism in the chilly air for Umphrey’s McGee’s latest show in Charlotte. With the end of their tour in sight, the band stopped at the familiar Neighborhood Theatre, a venue that was facing closure until two weeks ago. Rather than risk losing one of the city’s most adventurous musical hotspots, the community responded and the unusual 900-capacity venue has been saved for now. The sold-out show carried an aura of celebration, and it just happened to be a special night for the band as well, with present and future family members in attendance. The result was a show that dwarfed their last Charlotte appearance in every possible manner.

[All photos by Esther Rodgers]

There is no better opener for an Umphrey’s show than Get in the Van – not even the Star Wars Imperial March that played as the band took the stage. Get in the Van’s menacing twists and turns set the tone for a show heavy on Brendan Bayliss’ guitar and vocals, and not just because Jake Cinninger had some technical issues during an important twin-guitar section of the song.

In the first set, one song after another featured Bayliss’ endearing croon – the emotional August in spot two, the legendary live burner Plunger after that, and the set-closing combo of Morning Song and 1348. Cinninger, normally a more frenetic guitar personality, helped add a unique, mellow feel to the set, especially during the dramatic Morning Song, in which he wrung heaving, swollen notes from his rig with articulate passion.

READ ON for more of Bryan’s take on UM in Charlotte…

As promised, Glide has posted Chad B.’s interview with Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks. Chad talked with Butch about changing NYC venues, Moogis and just how close Dickey Betts

We already knew that Pavement would be among the headliners for the Sasquatch Music Festival at The Gorge in George, WA on Memorial Day Weekend, but the promoters have recently

As we previously reported, Umphrey’s McGee fans were asked to pick one of nine Valentine’s-related songs for the band to perform at Ram’s Head Live in Baltimore on this past

The lineup for the 14th Annual All Good Music Festival has just been released and includes such HT faves as Umphrey’s McGee, Widespread Panic, Perpetual Groove and Yonder Mountain String

After catching Brock Butler’s ironman performance on Jam Cruise, I started to focus my attention on Perpetual Groove’s next NYC show on March 26th at the Bowery Ballroom. I want