Umphrey’s McGee Begins 2017 Halloween Run In St. Paul – Recap, Photos & Video

Images by: Tim McGuire

Umphrey’s McGee performed the first of two concerts at The Palace Theatre in a snowy St. Paul, Minnesota on Friday night. Their debut at the venue came 24 hours after an appearance in Florida at Suwannee Hulaween and marked their first Twin Cities show since April 2016. The band previously confirmed the retirement of their traditional halloween musical mash-ups and Friday’s show was an all original effort that saw the band honor their late co-founding drummer Mike Mirro on what would have been his 40th birthday.

The instrumental gem “Prowler” put a charge in The Palace as UM began their first set following lively opening act Sinkane. A sharp turn into “Mantis” provided a pathway to improvisation led by guitarist Jake Cinninger who took on the role of conductor leading his band mates with hand gestures and impressive soloing. More jamming was soon to come out the subsequent “Speak Up” which had drummer Kris Myers setting a romping pattern for Cinninger and guitarist Brendan Bayliss to play over. Without stopping the recently introduced “North Route” kept the first set flowing.

A blast of energy shot into the theatre with the introduction of “Crucial Taunt,” fists flew upward in appreciation of the track assembled from previous “Jimmy Stewart” sequences that saw keyboardist Joel Cummins asserting himself with synth sounds. Finally after 40 minutes came the first break in music of the evening. “Draconian” set an eerie vibe with Cinninger introducing layers of slide guitar riffs. Eventually Myers and percussionist Andy Farag settled into a chunky groove as the sextet locked up for a soaring peak. The aptly named old-school instrumental “Sweetness” then made an always welcome appearance before the band returned to finish the “Mantis” started earlier in the set.

The second set opening “Bright Lights, Big City” brought a party vibe to the room while lighting director Jefferson Waful unleashed an arsenal of dazzling light patterns. A Cinninger solo introduced a wave of improvisation which again saw the guitarist hand signaling changes to his band mates, eventually landing on “Plunger.” A cool, R&B styled jam led by Cummins’ emerged out of “Plunger” as the walls of the theatre were hit with Waful’s starry lights. A transition to “Puppet String” brought about a highly danceable disco-infused jam that later had Cinninger sending audible hints at the “Andy’s Last Beer” that was expertly segued into.

The odd-time signature classic was trailed by Bayliss thanking their Delta flight attendant from earlier in the day for putting up with bassist Ryan “Bandit” Stasik who apparently had gotten an early jump on dressing up for Halloween. Bayliss and Cinninger volleyed solos during the conclusion of the fan-favorite “Thin Air” which was followed by a set ending return to “Puppet String.” Bayliss then wished Mike Mirro, the band’s co-founding drummer who passed away in 2014, a happy birthday on what would have been his 40th birthday. When the band returned to the stage for the evening’s encore, Bayliss once again addressed the audience and dedicated the show closing take on their classic “Phil’s Farm” to their beloved friend and former band mate.

Umphrey’s McGee returns to The Palace Theatre for another show tonight. TourGigs is offering a webcast. View photos of Friday’s concert captured by Tim McGuire and pro-shot video of “Bright Lights, Big City” via TourGigs below:

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[Bright Lights, Big City]

Setlist

Set One: Prowler > Mantis -> Speak Up > North Route -> Crucial Taunt, Draconian > Sweetness > Mantis

Set Two: Bright Lights, Big City > Plunger > Puppet String -> Andy’s Last Beer, Thin Air > Puppet String

Encore: Phil’s Farm