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Words & Images by Jeffrey Smith
moe. & Umphrey's McGee :: 6.03.06 :: Red Rocks Amphitheatre :: Morrison, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheatre :: 06.03.06
by Jeffrey Smith |
It was business as usual at Red Rocks Amphitheatre last Saturday (June 3), which means, of course, another outstanding night of music enjoyed under the Colorado sky at one of the country's most beautiful and beloved music venues.
This time around, it was moe., headlining Red Rocks for the first time, and Umphrey's McGee getting the place moving and grooving. A short, yet pleasant, set from Mason Jennings and his small band opened the day.
Both moe. and Umphrey's, who recently finished a short run of shows touring together following the annual Summer Camp festival, were in top form and kept things interesting throughout each marathon set - one from Umphrey's and two from moe.
Umphrey's McGee :: 06.03.06 :: by Jeffrey Smith |
Despite being billed as the opening act, Umphrey's McGee kicked off the evening's main course with an extended 13-song set. The band's songs never felt rushed, and a longer-than-usual opening slot allowed the band to venture wherever it needed without the limitations of a short set. It was classic Umphrey's and included a powerful run of songs — "Passing" > "Blue Echo" > "Jimmy Stewart" > "Sociable Jimmy" - in the heart of the set as well as the always fun "Layla" cover to bring things to a close.
It goes without saying, but everyone in moe. came ready to bring their "A" game to the night's musical offerings and their first Red Rocks headlining gig. The band came on strong with "Buster" and "Crab Eyes" followed with a premier cover of the The Black Crowes' "Wiser Time." The set, which was filled with extended jams, finished with a run of "Moth" > "The Pit" > "Tailspin." Set break offered the crowd an opportunity to once again collect thoughts, reflect on the first set's outcome, and prepare for another long set of heavy-duty moe. A non-musical highlight of the first set, and ultimately the rest of the evening, was the light show that played on the rocks behind the stage. It seemed to be a common point of discussion during the set break and kept eyes gazing beyond the band.
Rob Derhak :: 06.03.06
by Jeffrey Smith |
The final set of the evening was greeted with plenty of anticipation. The band proceeded to unleash a non-stop set of songs that started with "Brent Black" > "Californ IA" and continued uninterrupted into "Rebubula" > "Four" and then back into "Californ IA" before ultimately returning to "Rebubula." Fans were left wide-eyed and slightly stunned from the onslaught of moe. The segue-fest was an outstanding showcase of pure moe. and absolutely delighted the many Colorado fans in attendance. Then, to top it all off, the band played a double encore of one of its top live tunes, "St. Augustine," and one of its more exciting covers, "Don't Fear The Reaper." Throw in the guys from Umphrey's McGee, and the evening's climax, obviously, became even better.
For a show that was breaking in the season at Red Rocks for Colorado's jamband fans, things went over the top and exceeded expectations. The cool weather, a loosely filled venue, and some incredibly strong playing helped assure that almost no one went home disappointed.
moe.
6.03.06 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
Set I: Buster, Crab Eyes, Wiser Time*, Moth> The Pit> Tailspin
Set II: Brent Black> Californ IA> Rebubula> Four> Californ IA> Rebubula
Encore: St. Augustine#, Don't Fear The Reaper%^
* First time played; Black Crowes
# With Jake Cinninger of Umphrey's McGee
% Last time played - 10.20.05 (45 shows)
^ With all of Umphrey's McGee
Umphrey's McGee
6.03.06 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
Set I: Plunger> Partyin' Peeps, Nothing Too Fancy> Eat, Passing> Blue Echo> Jimmy Stewart> Sociable Jimmy,
JaJunk, Words, Miss Tinkle's Overture, Push the Pig, Layla
JamBase | Red Rocks
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