Audio & Video: Greensky Bluegrass & Umphrey’s McGee Collaborate In Asheville

Last night Umphrey’s McGee began a two-night stand at Exploreasheville.com Arena in Asheville, North Carolina for the 2nd annual Blue Ridge Rockway series. Friday’s action began with a set by Greensky Bluegrass that featured a member of UM sitting-in and ended with GSBG members joining the headliners for a Black Sabbath cover.

UM keyboardist Joel Cummins sat-in with Greensky Bluegrass during their opening set for a performance of “In Control.” Cummins returned with UM to open the band’s first set with “Bathing Digits” > “Rocker Part 2.” The first half also featured improv-filled instrumentals “Nothing Too Fancy” and the rarity “Atmosfarag” as well as an extended set closing “Der Bluten Kat.”

Longtime favorite “40’s Theme” started off UM’s second set with guitarists Jake Cinninger and Brendan Bayliss exchanging solos. Next came a take on “Resolution” that segued into “Phil’s Farm.” Umphrey’s then kicked into a cover of Black Sabbath’s namesake anthem “Black Sabbath” that transitioned into Sabbath’s “War Pigs” amplified by Greensky Bluegrass’ Anders Beck on dobro and Paul Hoffman handling vocals. UM setlist staple “2×2” and the closing portion of “Nothing Too Fancy” drew the set two to a close. Friday’s show was capped with a “Bad Friday” encore.

Umphrey’s McGee and Greensky Bluegrass perform at Exploreasheville.com Arena again tonight and UM also plays The Orange Peel in Asheville on Sunday evening. Tourgigs is providing webcasts of all of UM’s shows in Asheville. Here’s footage of “War Pigs” captured by Gregory Marcus:

Listen to all of Friday’s Umphrey’s McGee performance taped by NSL and Greensky Bluegrass’s opening set taped by TDS below:

Setlists

Umphrey’s McGee (via All Things Umphrey’s)

Set One: Bathing Digits > Rocker Part 2, Nothing Too Fancy[1] > Spires > Upward, Atmosfarag > Der Bluten Kat

Set Two: 40’s Theme, Resolution -> Phil’s Farm, Black Sabbath > War Pigs[2], 2×2 > Nothing Too Fancy

Encore: Bad Friday[3]

Notes:

• [1] with Stranglehold (Ted Nugent) teases
• [2] with Anders Beck on dobro and Paul Hoffman on vocals
• [3] with Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Michael Jackson) jam

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Greensky Bluegrass (via Camp Greensky)

Set: Windshield, Living Over, Seymour, In Control[1], Can’t Stop Now[2], Wings For Wheels, Miss September, Worried About The Weather > Atlantic City

Notes:

• [1] with Joel Cummins on keyboards
• [2] with Shout (The Isley Brothers) teases