Larry Keel Joins Umphrey’s McGee In Washington DC

Umphrey’s McGee performed a concert at The Anthem in Washington D.C. on Thursday night. The band’s debut at the recently opened venue saw the group welcome guitarist Larry Keel to sit-in on an UM original and a cover of a song by The Beatles.

Taking the stage to the sounds of “Catshot,” Umphrey’s segued into “40’s Theme” to get the show properly started. Guitarist Brendan Bayliss then led the group through “Puppet String” that seamlessly transitioned into the classic “White Man’s Moccasins.” Another well-established original, “Example 1,” came next leading to some improvisation that landed on “Attachments.”

Keel then emerged with his acoustic guitar as both Bayliss and guitarist Jake Cinninger also donned acoustics for a take on “You & You Alone,” the recently debuted original issued on UM’s new studio album it’s not us. Cinninger and Bayliss went back to their electrics as Keel stuck around for a set-closing offering of The Beatles “Dear Prudence.”

Set two started with the recently introduced it’s not us track “Half Delayed.” An unfinished “JaJunk” came next, incorporating elements of “Divisions” before transitioning into “Speak Up.” Cinninger then fronted “Booth Love,” which opened up into a jam that saw him joining Joel Cummins on keyboards. The rarity “Stinko’s Ascension” was then tapped for just its 12th live performance since its 2015 UMBowl debut.

Also rarely making UM setlists these days, “Turn & Run” made just its second appearance since 2016 and was followed by “Puppet String,” which closed out the set. Cinninger was in charge again to start the encore off with one last it’s not us newcomer “Looks.” UM then went back to finish the “JaJunk” started earlier in the evening as they brought an end to the night in DC.

Umphrey’s McGee heads to Asheville, North Carolina tonight for the first of two consecutive shows at ExploreAsheville.com Arena, with The Marcus King Band once again opening. TourGigs is offering webcasts of the shows and they produced a free livestream of Thursday’s concert, which can be viewed below:

Setlist (via The Bort)

Set One: Catshot > 40’s Theme, Puppet String -> White Man’s Moccasins, Example 1 > Attachments, You and You Alone [1], Dear Prudence [2]

Set Two: Half Delayed, JaJunk [3] > Speak Up > Booth Love [4] > Stinko’s Ascension, Turn & Run > Puppet String

Encore: Looks > JaJunk

Notes:

• [1] with Brendan and Jake on acoustics, with Larry Keel on acoustic guitar
• [2] with Larry Keel on acoustic guitar
• [3] with Divisions teases
• [4] with Jake on keys, with Another Brick in the Wall (Pink Floyd) tease