Umphrey’s McGee Busts Out Covers At Belly Up Aspen

Chicago sextet Umphrey’s McGee continued a sold-out, three-night stand at Belly Up Aspen in Aspen, Colorado on Friday night. The band dug deep into their repertoire to treat the capacity crowd to a pair of covers they haven’t played in years as part of Night Two in Aspen.

Umphrey’s followed the instrumental “Goonville” opener with just the 10th-ever rendition of “Gents.” Old school favorites “2X2” and “Example 1” came next before Safety In Numbers’ “Intentions Clear” gave way to “Smell The Mitten.” It was within “Smell The Mitten” that the evening’s biggest surprise took place as UM worked in the Beastie Boys instrumental “Groove Holmes.” The Check Your Head classic was last played by Umphrey’s way back on January 20, 2013 – a span of 324 shows. “Syncopated Strangers” and “Push The Pig” then closed out the first set.

The second set started with an expansive “Der Bluten Kat” featuring “Mad Love” in the middle. “Der Bluten Kat’s” first jam contained a “Jimmy Stewart” with lyrics while the second jam came with a “Sweet Child O’ Mine” tease. “Attachments” followed ahead of a “Night Nurse” that UM segued into a cover of Smashing Pumpkins’ “Cherub Rock.” The Siamese Dream classic had been on the shelf for 208 shows as it was last performed by the band on February 22, 2014 in Chicago with Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. The group ended the second set with fan favorites “The Fuzz” and “The Triple Wide.” For the encore, the sextet mixed dark and light motifs by inserting the major key “Glory” within the minor key “Plunger” jam. Umphrey’s McGee concludes their visit to Aspen tonight. A live webcast is available via TourGigs.

Setlist (via All Things Umphreys)

Set One: Goonville > Gents > 2×2, Example 1, Intentions Clear > Smell the Mitten > Groove Holmes > Smell the Mitten, Syncopated Strangers, Push the Pig

Set Two: Der Bluten Kat[1] > Mad Love > Der Bluten Kat[2], Attachments, Night Nurse > Cherub Rock, The Fuzz > The Triple Wide[3]

Encore: Plunger > Glory > Plunger

• [1] “Jimmy Stewart” with lyrics
• [2] with Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns N’ Roses) tease
• [3] with (Don’t Fear) The Reaper (Blue Öyster Cult) tease