Last night I went to the uber corporate Nokia Theater in Times Square to see Chicago's phinest metal/prog rock/jamband Umphrey's McGee. This was the third time I've seen this band; just like the first two they did not disappoint. Something in the band evoked a furiously upbeat crowd. They came to dance - the band provided the platform (I was surprised by the noticeably fewer numbers of noodlers).
Highlights were the 'Nothing Too Fancy' medley, the dubbed out (seen!) version of Pink Floyd's 'Breathe' (including an outtro of Yes' 'Roundabout'), and both "Jimmy Stewarts".
Setlist (Courtesy of umphreysmcgee.com)
02.17.06 - Nokia Theatre, New York, New York
Set One: Bridgeless, Passing, Nothing Too Fancy > "Jimmy Stewart" > Bright Lights, I'm in You, 2x2 > Nothing Too Fancy
Set Two: Breathe$ > Got Your Milk (Right Here), The Triple Wide > Anchor Drops > piano solo > 40's Theme, Much Obliged > Pipeline > Much Obliged > Breathe reprise, Syncopated Strangers > "Jimmy Stewart" > Syncopated Strangers, Plunger
Encore: Divisions
Notes:
$ dub version, a la 12.31.05; with Roundabout (Yes) tease
the Umph played a couple new songs including "I'm In You" for the second time ever (played for the first time the night before in VT). Download the below zip file for a couple min. clip of the performance.
I'm In You (intro > first solo)-Quick Time Video.zip
View the rest of my pics here
Download tons of lives shows at the Internet Archive
the Umph's next studio album 'Safety In Numbers' drops April 4th on Sci Fidelity Records.
yummy yummy grilled cheese
Posted by: Ump A Lumpa | Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 06:35 PM
Uber corporate, maybe. But that venue is BY FAR the best place to see a mid-sized show in the city. They patch the soundboard into the bathroom for chrissakes! It costs way too much to get a drink (even water), but the user-friendly experience is off the charts. Every band out there should play that room instead of the Roseland and Hammerstein.
I love the set-up there -- stage, floor, another floor, luxurious movie seats in the back with perfect views and VIPs on the sides. At UM, with all the youngins about, the first floor was the high school cafeteria, the second floor was more student union, and the people in the back were chillin' in the lounge.
Great show, though. They thoroughly rocked that place.
Posted by: Ace Cowboy | Monday, February 20, 2006 at 03:19 PM
How do you afford your rent with all your concerts and trips to Europe? Are you male prostituting again?
We need to get Andrew online!
Posted by: soapbox.SUPERSTAR | Monday, February 20, 2006 at 04:06 PM
Soapy - think "Loverboy" the movie. Hold the anchovies.
Posted by: freshbread | Monday, February 20, 2006 at 04:34 PM
Ace - I did enjoy the speakers in the bathroom. I particulary don't care for all of the sponsorships and corp logos plastered everywhere. But as far a musical space it is great. It's no Bowery though.
Posted by: freshbread | Monday, February 20, 2006 at 04:35 PM
You should send me more the pictures and I'll hook them up in Photoshop as well. The new one's look nice on the site. If you ever install PS on your computer, I can totally show you how to hook them up.
Big Up
Posted by: Dub | Monday, February 20, 2006 at 10:27 PM