Umphrey’s McGee

Umphrey's McGee Performs 'Sociable Jimmy' at Durty Nellies, Palatine

Durty Nellies
Palatine, IL, United States

• On January 23, 2002, when Umphrey’s McGee performed at Durty Nellies, they were in an exciting phase of their development, having just released thei... Read Full Description >

  On January 23, 2002, when Umphrey’s McGee performed at Durty Nellies, they were in an exciting phase of their development, having just released their debut studio album, "Greatest Story Ever Told," the previous year in 2001. This album laid the foundation for their unique blend of progressive rock and jam band music, showcasing their improvisational skills and dynamic live performances. The 2002 recording of "Sociable Jimmy" captures the band in a relatively early stage, characterized by the energy and intimacy of smaller venues, which were essential for building their dedicated fanbase. An interesting aspect of this recording is the mention of "ferocious keys by the Cum Dog," which refers to keyboardist Brendan Bayliss’s nickname, reflecting the playful camaraderie within the band and their ability to engage audiences in these intimate settings. The energy of live shows from this period contributed significantly to their reputation and paved the way for their later successes.

Umphrey's McGee - Live Performance of 'Professor Wormbog' at Discover Music in Decatur

Variety Playhouse
Atlanta, Georgia, United States

• On March 2, 2002, Umphrey's McGee was in an exciting phase of their career, performing live during an in-store event at Discover Music in Decatur, GA.... Read Full Description >

  On March 2, 2002, Umphrey's McGee was in an exciting phase of their career, performing live during an in-store event at Discover Music in Decatur, GA. This period followed the release of their debut studio album, "Anchor Drops," which came out in 2004. However, prior to this, they had been actively building their reputation in the live music scene, particularly with their 2001 release, "Local Band Does OK," which highlighted their eclectic sound. The performance of "Professor Wormbog" during this recording captures the band’s dynamic energy and improvisational style, both hallmarks of their live shows. By 2002, Umphrey's McGee had already garnered a loyal fan base, known for their blend of rock genres and intricate compositions, setting the stage for their future successes and contributions to the jam band scene.

Umphrey's McGee Full Concert - Live at Freebird Live, Jacksonville, FL

Freebird Live
Jacksonville Beach, Florida, United States

• On March 8, 2002, Umphrey’s McGee performed at Freebird Live in Jacksonville, Florida, during a pivotal period in their career. This concert took pl... Read Full Description >

  On March 8, 2002, Umphrey’s McGee performed at Freebird Live in Jacksonville, Florida, during a pivotal period in their career. This concert took place shortly after the release of their third studio album, "Local Band Does OK," which came out in 2002. This album marked a significant step for the band as it showcased their evolving sound and musicianship, blending rock, jazz, and progressive influences. Interestingly, the live recording captures the band's dynamic stage presence and improvisational style that they are known for, further solidifying their reputation in the jam band scene. At this point in their career, Umphrey's McGee was beginning to gain traction in the live music community, positioning themselves as a formidable act with a dedicated following. The setlist from this performance likely included tracks from their new album as well as fan favorites, highlighting their versatility and energy.

Umphrey's McGee - Full Concert at Waldos, Klamath Falls OR - Set 2

Waldo's
Klamath Falls, Oregon, United States

• On April 17, 2002, Umphrey's McGee captured an electrifying performance at Waldos in Klamath Falls, Oregon. This show came right after their fifth stu... Read Full Description >

  On April 17, 2002, Umphrey's McGee captured an electrifying performance at Waldos in Klamath Falls, Oregon. This show came right after their fifth studio album, "Local Band Does OK," which had been released in January 2002. That album marked an exciting period for the band, showcasing their eclectic blend of rock, jazz, and progressive influences, a style that really took off during live shows like this one. At this Klamath Falls concert, the band infused their set with fun teases, like "I Got Love" and "Another Brick in the Wall," which highlight their signature improvisational flair. Furthermore, this performance showcases their dynamic range—jumping from the steady pulse of “Out Of Order” to the soulful vibes of “Rastaman Chant.” It's moments like these that truly forge the connection between the band and their devoted audience. Isn't it fascinating how live performances can turn into a collaborative experience, weaving in crowd favorites and unexpected twists?

Umphrey's McGee Performs 'Home Sweet Home' at Barrymore Theatre

Barrymore Theatre
Madison, Wisconsin, United States

• In April 2002, when Umphrey’s McGee captured their live performance of "Home Sweet Home" at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, they were riding high ... Read Full Description >

  In April 2002, when Umphrey’s McGee captured their live performance of "Home Sweet Home" at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, they were riding high on the wave of their sophomore album, *Local Band Does OK*, released the previous year. This record, which showcased their unique blend of rock, jazz, and progressive influences, was pivotal in solidifying their burgeoning reputation in the jam band scene. By this point in their career, Umphrey’s was honing their improvisational prowess and engaging with their audience on a deeper level, often experimenting with extended jams during live sets. An interesting nugget about this era is that the band was known for their signature energetic performances and the ability to blend original music with clever covers—a quality evident in this concert where fans could feel the community vibe post a long West Coast tour. It's like they took that road trip excitement and channeled it into heartfelt live music, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for everyone there.

Umphrey's McGee Full Concert - Set One at Schuba's, Chicago, IL

Schubas Tavern
Chicago, Illinois, United States

• In May 2002, during the live recording at Schuba's in Chicago, Umphrey's McGee was in an exciting phase of their career, having just released their al... Read Full Description >

  In May 2002, during the live recording at Schuba's in Chicago, Umphrey's McGee was in an exciting phase of their career, having just released their album "Anchor Drops" in March of that year. This album, their third studio release, showcased their evolving sound and distinctive blend of rock, jazz, and progressive elements, which they would further refine in subsequent years. Notably, the setlist from the Schuba’s performance includes tracks from "Anchor Drops," like "Soul Food I" and "Hurt Bird Bath," indicating the band's growing repertoire. The performance at Schuba's is particularly significant as it reflects their strong connection to the Chicago music scene and their dedication to live improvisation, a hallmark of their style that would continue to define them as prominent figures in the jam band community. During this time, Umphrey's McGee was beginning to gain a reputation for their energetic live shows and intricate compositions, setting the stage for their future success.

Umphrey's McGee Live Performance of 'YYZ' (Rush Cover) at Little Brothers

Little Brother's
Columbus, Ohio, United States

• In June 2002, during the live recording of "YYZ" at Little Brothers in Columbus, Ohio, Umphrey's McGee was in a pivotal phase of their career, having ... Read Full Description >

  In June 2002, during the live recording of "YYZ" at Little Brothers in Columbus, Ohio, Umphrey's McGee was in a pivotal phase of their career, having recently released their album "Local Band Does OK" in 2002. This album marked a significant moment for the band as it showcased their blend of progressive rock, improvisational jazz, and metal influences, setting a solid foundation for their evolving sound. The fact that they were performing a Rush cover during this time highlights their inclination to pay homage to influential rock bands while also displaying their technical proficiency. Additionally, the recording features Mike Mirro on drums, who was part of the band during their formative years, contributing to their dynamic edge and energetic performances that would later become their signature style. This era laid the groundwork for Umphrey’s McGee’s reputation as a formidable live act.

Umphrey's McGee Full Concert at Navy Pier in Chicago, IL

Skyline Stage at Navy Pier
Chicago, Illinois, United States

• In July 2002, when Umphrey’s McGee performed at Navy Pier in Chicago, the band was establishing itself as a prominent figure in the jam band scene. ... Read Full Description >

  In July 2002, when Umphrey’s McGee performed at Navy Pier in Chicago, the band was establishing itself as a prominent figure in the jam band scene. Their previous studio album, " anchor drops," released in 2000, had garnered attention and helped solidify their growing fanbase. By this time, they had developed a reputation for their intricate compositions and improvisational prowess, which were exhibited in live performances such as the one captured in this recording. The 2002 Navy Pier shows also feature the band’s evolving sound, blending rock, jazz, and progressive elements. Notably, Umphrey's McGee had begun to garner a dedicated following and started to embrace live recordings, which would become a staple of their career, allowing fans to appreciate their dynamic and evolving artistry. This period marked a turning point leading into their later works, setting the stage for significant growth in their musical identity and a series of successful albums in the years to follow.

Umphrey's McGee - Live at Otto's, DeKalb, IL - Set One (Full Concert)

Otto's
DeKalb, Illinois, United States

• On December 6, 2002, Umphrey's McGee was in a pivotal phase of their career, heavily focused on live performances that defined their reputation as a f... Read Full Description >

  On December 6, 2002, Umphrey's McGee was in a pivotal phase of their career, heavily focused on live performances that defined their reputation as a formidable jam band. Leading up to this date, the group had released their album "Local Band Does OK" in 2002, which marked a significant step in establishing their sound and identity. This album featured a blend of progressive rock, jazz, and improvisational styles that became a hallmark of their music. The live performance at Otto's in DeKalb is a reflection of the band's energetic stage presence and tight musicianship during this period, solidifying their growing fanbase. Additionally, it's worth noting that Mike Mirro, the original drummer who passed away in 2018, was part of the lineup at this time, making the recording a poignant reminder of their early days and the band’s evolution.

Umphrey's McGee Live at Otto's: Debut Performance of 'In The Kitchen'

Otto's
DeKalb, Illinois, United States

• By December 2002, Umphrey's McGee had established themselves as a significant player in the jam band scene. Prior to this live recording of "In The Ki... Read Full Description >

  By December 2002, Umphrey's McGee had established themselves as a significant player in the jam band scene. Prior to this live recording of "In The Kitchen," which marks its debut performance, the band had released their album “Anchor Drops” in 2004. This period is notable as the band was honing their sound and developing a loyal following through extensive touring and dynamic live shows. "In The Kitchen" would later become a fan favorite and a staple in their live sets, showcasing their intricate musical arrangements and improvisational skills. The live performance captured at Otto's in Dekalb, IL, is particularly interesting as it represents a pivotal moment in their evolving repertoire, helping to set the stage for their future artistic direction. The reference to "AnchorDrops15" highlights the band's ongoing engagement with their fanbase, commemorating the anniversary of the album's release and its significance in their career trajectory.

Umphrey's McGee Full Concert - The Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL

Vic Theatre
Chicago, Illinois, United States

• On December 30, 2002, Umphrey’s McGee performed at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, a pivotal moment in their career. This concert took place shortly aft... Read Full Description >

  On December 30, 2002, Umphrey’s McGee performed at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, a pivotal moment in their career. This concert took place shortly after the release of their studio album "Anchor Drops," which came out in 2004, marking a significant phase in their evolution as a band. By this time, Umphrey's McGee had begun to develop a dedicated fan base known for its enthusiasm for the band’s eclectic and improvisational style, often blending rock, metal, jazz, and funk elements. The live performance featured a vibrant setlist, including songs like "Syncopated Strangers" and "In the Kitchen," showcasing their musical range and live improvisational skills. This concert also highlighted the band’s knack for incorporating unexpected elements, such as a snippet of "Auld Lang Syne" during "Pay the Snucka," emphasizing their playful engagement with the audience. This era was critical as it set the stage for their subsequent success and solidifying their reputation as a leading band in the jam