Umphrey’s McGee NYE in Chicago

UMPHREY’S MCGEE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS THIS NEW YEAR’S
WITH A VERY SPECIAL THREE NIGHT RUN AT THE ARAGON BALLROOM DECEMBER 29, 30 and 31
THE BAND RECENTLY RELEASED THEIR FIRST OFFICIAL LIVE ALBUM, LIVE AT THE MURAT

Umphrey’s McGee

“4 STARS… [Live at the Murat] is a diligently constructed experience, combining songs and medleys… that proves Umphrey’s McGee always have destination on their minds, even when they fly free.” -Rolling Stone

Chicago’s own Umphrey’s McGee will blow out the year’s end with three nights at the beautiful Aragon Ballroom. The arrival of 2008 marks Umphrey’s ten year anniversary. Very special musical guests kick off the first two shows, with reggae legends The Wailers opening on December 29 and fusion rock outfits Tortoise on-board for December 30. On New Year’s Eve, Umphrey’s McGee officially celebrates its 10th anniversary by hosting a Black and White Ball, Umphrey’s style. The band will roll out the red carpet and pop plenty of champagne corks; a special Ten Year Anniversary Video Tribute will open the show.

Show details are as follows:

Saturday, December 29 @ 6:00 p.m. (doors @ 5:00 p.m.)
with very special guests The Wailers
Tickets: $32.50 / All Ages

Sunday, December 30 @ 7:00 p.m. (Doors @ 6:00 p.m.)
with very special guests Tortoise
Tickets $32.50 / 18 and over

Monday, December 31 @ 8:00 p.m. (Doors @ 6:00 p.m.)
New Year’s Eve Black and White Ball
A very special video tribute to the first ten years of Umphrey’s McGee will open the show
Tickets $ $65.00 / 18 and over

The Aragon Ballroom
1106 West Lawrence Avenue and 4800 North, Chicago
Tickets available at Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com and at the Vic Theatre Box Office (3145 North Sheffield, Chicago)

The ascension continues for Chicago’s Umphrey’s McGee, not only in terms of their commercial success but in creative accomplishment and instrumental achievement as well. Their performance on Live at the Murat (SCI Fidelity), their first official live release, is as impressive as anything they’ve recorded to date, with the power and finesse, the yin and the yang, that have come to characterize their by-now classic material.

Throughout the show, UM’s invention brings the progressive instrumental chops of Zappa and the stylistic savvy of Steely Dan. It is innovative without being indulgent, exhilarating without losing control, and there are plenty of improv passages that keep the band and their fans off-balance. Clearly, logging 120 gigs a year, “live” is where UM lives.

The current list of confirmed tour dates is as follows:
11.15 Amos’ South End Charlotte, NC
11.16 City Hall Nashville, TN
11.17 Work Play Soundstage Birmingham, AL
11.18 Bear Creek Music Festival Quincy, FL
11.29 Orbit Room Grand Rapids, MI
11.30 Lifestyle Communities Pavilion Columbus, OH
12.01 Borders Ann Arbor, MI
12.01 Michigan Theatre Ann Arbor, MI
12.13-17 Caribbean Holidaze Runaway Jamaica
12.29-31 The Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL
12.16-18 Jam in the Dam Amsterdam, Netherlands