Umphrey’s McGee Debuts ‘Buddy Weezer’ Mashup In Iowa

Umphrey’s McGee made their Surf Ballroom debut on Friday, August 22. The sextet acknowledged the history of the Clear Lake, Iowa venue by rolling out their latest mashup, “Buddy Weezer,” to end the concert.

The Surf Ballroom hosted pioneering rocker Buddy Holly’s last concert in 1959. Holly and fellow musicians Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson were tragically killed in a plane crash shortly after performing at the “Winter Dance Party” tour stop in Clear Lake.

“This has been a bucket list moment for us,” UM guitarist Brendan Bayliss told the crowd upon returning for the encore at the Surf. “We want to give a shout out to Buddy Holly, because he influenced some of the musicians who influenced us. Without him walking the path, we wouldn’t be here.”

“This one goes out to Buddy,” Bayliss added before beginning their new mashup. “Buddy Weezer” incorporates elements of Holly and the Crickets’ 1957 song “Everyday” and Weezer’s 1994 hit “Buddy Holly.”

In 2008, Umphrey’s McGee began a tradition of celebrating Halloween with concerts featuring mashups of originals and covers that the band worked up. The last Halloween mashup show took place in 2016, the same year the band released Zonkey, a studio album collecting 12 of the mashups they concocted. “Buddy Weezer” marked the first such creation premiered by UM since drummer Scotty Zwang joined the band.

Watch a clip of Umphrey’s McGee’s “Buddy Weezer” mashup shared by the band on social media:

Umphrey’s McGee leaned into old school material during their Friday night concert in Clear Lake. The first set was highlighted by extended versions of “Bright Lights” and “In The Kitchen.”

Friday’s second set was bookended by “Divisions.” The six-piece also fit well-jammed takes on “Similar Skin,” “Plunger” and “Day Nurse.” as well as the conclusion of “In The Kitchen,” into the frame. Umphrey’s McGee resumes their Cruising Altitude 2025 Tour on Thursday, August 28 in Richmond, Virginia.

Official Audio (via nugs.net)

Setlist (via All Things Umphreys)

Set One: Le Blitz > Bright Lights, Big City > Get In The Van > Passing > The Linear-> White Man’s Moccasins, In The Kitchen > Let’s Dance

Set Two: Divisions[1] > Similar Skin[2], Plunger > In The Kitchen, Day Nurse > Divisions

Encore: Buddy Weezer[3]

Notes:

• [1] with Chitlins con Carne (Kenny Burrell) teases
• [2] with Blackbird (The Beatles) teases
• [3] debut; Everyday (Buddy Holly) + Buddy Holly (Weezer) mash-up