If there’s nothing else to be said about Umphrey’s McGee, the energy created between the band and the fans is completely palpable, and this band knows exactly how to keep audiences happy.
Review and photos by Melanie Rose
With many still coming down from the “epic,” “until sunrise,” Bonnaroo performance that Umphrey’s McGee gave just weeks prior, last Friday’s outdoor concert in Philadelphia had fans amped up for another memorable show.
Umphrey’s did not disappoint.
Philly native G. Love and Special Sauce warmed the (already sweltering) stage appropriately with their laid-back, bluesy, hip-hop vibe while the crowd gathered “Outside the Electric Factory,” a foreign setup to frequenters of the venue, but fitting for this type of show.
Umphrey’s took the stage by nightfall, ideal for their choreographed light show. Already cheering and creating crowd-wide silhouettes of the “Umphrey’s ‘too much rock for one hand’ U,” when the band began the intro to ‘Nipple Trix,’ the enthusiasm levels exploded. If there’s nothing else to be said about Umphrey’s McGee, the energy created between the band and the fans is completely palpable, and this band knows exactly how to keep audiences happy.
After Nipple Trix, they transitioned straight into Domino Theory, followed by Higgins and a newer song, Loose Ends. Just within the first four songs, it is clear why the Umphrey’s genre has been described in so many ways. This band holds its own, and holds it strong. Not only have they managed to get the attention of funky jazz, alternative, progressive and even death metal rock fans alike, but the music they create meshes the genres so well, all of these fans end up appreciating the elements of each. And for the music nerds out there, these six are classically trained, which certainly shines through in the music composition and ridiculous solos.
Unfortunately this show ended prematurely because of an electrical storm that rolled in (no, the irony was not lost on me…), but not before Umphrey’s pleased with a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Miss You,” which featured G. Love on the harmonica and vocals – and some help from the crowd’s backing vocals, singing along with the “Oooh oooh oooh oooh oooh oooh ooohs.”
Full set-list:
Set 1: Nipple Trix>Domino Theory, Higgins, Loose Ends, Bridgeless>2nd Self, Ringo>Bridgeless
Set 2: The Floor, Hurt Bird Bath, Push the Pig>Ringo, Miss You (G. Love on Harmonica/Vocals), Out of Order
