Lettuce & Umphrey’s McGee Team For Herbie Hancock Cover At Lockn’ Festival

The sixth annual Lockn’ Festival began on Thursday at Infinity Downs Farm in Arrington, Virginia. Lettuce and Umphrey’s McGee closed out the main stage action yesterday. The two bands interlocked their final performances of the day by using Lockn’s revolving stage perfectly to team up for a cover of Herbie Hancock’s “Hang Up Your Hang Ups.”

Lettuce’s first of two sets on Thursday started around 6:30 p.m. The band’s late afternoon performance was highlighted by a slick pairing of “Elephant Walk” and the anthemic “Madison Square.” Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes was particularly enthusiastic throughout the set especially when “Madison Square” dropped. The final notes of Lettuce’s first set were quickly followed by the stage rotating to reveal Umphrey’s McGee who opened with “There’s No Crying In Mexico” > “Higgins.” UM’s opening performance featured a career-spanning mix of material including an expansive “Hurt Bird Bath” and hard-hitting “Mulche’s Odyssey.”

Lockn’s stage rotated once again after “Mulche’s” to show Lettuce. The powerhouse band worked through a set that included a stellar rendition of “Do It Like You Do” led by Nigel Hall. Nigel showed love for birthday boy Ryan Zoidis who delivered a strong sax solo at Hall’s command. Butcher Brown performed a set earlier in the day and the band’s keyboardist DJ Harrison and drummer Corey Fonville both sat-in on “Do It Like You Do.” Lettuce brought their second set of the night to a close with “Hang Up Your Hang Ups.”

The rotating stage moved halfway during the middle of “Hang Up Your Hang Ups” as all 13 musicians collaborated on the Herbie Hancock cover. Eventually, the Lettuce horns left their side of the stage to join Umphrey’s at which point the stage finished rotating. The two bands pulled off a perfect segue between their sets as UM, Zoidis and trumpeter Eric “Benny” Bloom went on to finish “Hang Up Your Hang Ups.” Umphrey’s continued on without guests for “Roctopus” and a “Wappy Sprayberry” > “Maybe Someday” pairing before saying farewell with a “Bridgeless” sandwich complete with “Day Nurse,” “In The Kitchen” and “Hajimemashite” within.

Lockn’ continues on Friday with sets from UM featuring drummer Jason Bonham, Widespread Panic featuring special guest Margo Price, Moon Taxi, Turkuaz and more. A free webcast and SiriusXM simulcast are available.

Watch pro-shot video of the segue thanks to Relix:

Here’s fan-shot video of “Hang Up Your Hangups” captured by Gregory Marcus: