Review and Photos: DJ
Jam Bands can be hit or miss for some casuals of the Rock scene. I will admit depending on the dexterity of the music, sometimes it can make me fall off the wagon, and not always in a positive way.
Umphrey’s McGee is not one of those bands. The varied styles that they incorporate into their music always make it fun and interesting. With a blend of Rock, Jazz, and Progressive elements with some Metal here and there, there is enough to go around to enjoy an evening out and keep one moving.
This was the case this night at Mars Music Hall in Huntsville, Alabama. The Jam veterans are the only band on the bill playing two separate sets in which as a photographer this night we were allowed to shoot the whole first set. Very nice of the band to allow us to do this.
The crowd slowly fills the Hall, and for a Thursday night out, is not bad. The band comes on stage and straight breaks into “Bathing Digits” with frontman and founder Brendan Bayliss blissfully getting the crowd going for a very exciting set 1. If you have seen the guys live before, you know the myriad of lights and how much of a factor they play in their sets. Like other Jam bands of the past, the ethereal experience is part of the allure of Jam Bands. The other is of course the excellent music and keen improvisation.
Enjoyed the interlacing of different band members playing the drums, as Jake Cinninger, Andy Farag, and Ben Atkind all played drums during the 1st set. The cover of Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” was truly epic, and great job in the chorus and some very cool vox by Bayliss. The kaleidoscope of lights keeps adding to the production and feel of the show overall.
Set 2 has even more notables with “Staircase” and “Booth Love” playing a part in the pristine performance. Oh but wait more awesome covers in Toto’s legendary “Africa” get chosen to be played on this ultra Thursday jam party. Encore comes via “Bright Lights and Big City” to end the night with a bang.
What a nice performance from a bunch of guys who play their instruments with extreme precision. The audience had a good time and the vibes were all positive. Did not mind the lengthy tunes at all, the guy’s styles and the carefully crafted setlist make things pretty interesting. If you get a chance to catch them live, you should without hesitation.
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