“We want the Umph, gotta have that Umph” shouted the crowd at the Fox Theater in Oakland prior to legendary jam band Umphery’s McGee taking the stage on Saturday. Touring since 1997 you could sense the confidence and familiarity of being on stage. Some people claim that jam bands “aren’t their thing,” and while everyone is entitled to their opinion, they probably haven’t seen UM throw down a set like they did on Saturday night. UM has an incredible ability to take a wide variety of genres and make them their own. They can tackle heavy metal, funk, and psychedelic rock all within the same set and cook up something new the next night. No two nights are going to be the same and that is the beauty of the jam band scene.
Umphery’s was in top notch form and came ready to play Saturday night. Their first set opened strong with “There’s No Crying in Mexico,” taking riffs to heights that are unheard of in their studio tracks and proves why you have to attend a show in person in order to understand UM. Aside from the music the sense of community that comes along with every show is unparalleled: hugs, high fives, and hellos are exchanged about as often as hits from joints dispersed through the crowd aiding in providing a Smokey layer that only further accentuates the madness that is UM’s production setup. UM is not only known for being able to take on a wide range of genres, but for their ability to cover tracks and make them their own, proven by an epic rendition of Steely Dan’s “Kid Charlemagne.”
UM’s loyalty to their fans was demonstrated through the countless shout-outs including playing “Hajimemashite” for a fan who had flown all the way from Japan to see them (it translates to nice to meet you). UM went their hardest in their second set when they took on Metallica’s “And Justice for All”. Closing out with “Day Nurse” into “The Floor” sent the crowd into a roar and capped the night off right. While there studio albums are great, you have to make sure to see UM live before you dismiss them from your musical catalog for being a “jam band” I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
Umphery’s was in top notch form and came ready to play Saturday night. Their first set opened strong with “There’s No Crying in Mexico,” taking riffs to heights that are unheard of in their studio tracks and proves why you have to attend a show in person in order to understand UM. Aside from the music the sense of community that comes along with every show is unparalleled: hugs, high fives, and hellos are exchanged about as often as hits from joints dispersed through the crowd aiding in providing a Smokey layer that only further accentuates the madness that is UM’s production setup. UM is not only known for being able to take on a wide range of genres, but for their ability to cover tracks and make them their own, proven by an epic rendition of Steely Dan’s “Kid Charlemagne.”
UM’s loyalty to their fans was demonstrated through the countless shout-outs including playing “Hajimemashite” for a fan who had flown all the way from Japan to see them (it translates to nice to meet you). UM went their hardest in their second set when they took on Metallica’s “And Justice for All”. Closing out with “Day Nurse” into “The Floor” sent the crowd into a roar and capped the night off right. While there studio albums are great, you have to make sure to see UM live before you dismiss them from your musical catalog for being a “jam band” I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
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