Umphreys McGee Busts Out Rush Cover In Portland

Umphrey’s McGee has a huge repertoire and they know how to use it well. It seems as if each night they dust off at least one long-lost cover or original. For instance, last night at Portland, Oregon’s Crystal Ballroom the band played three tunes that hadn’t been performed in at least 50 shows including a fan-favorite Rush cover.

[Image via Teepublic]

The Chicago rockers opened up with the “You Got The Wrong Guy” instrumental intro and worked it into a version of “Similar Skin” that featured “Miami Virtue” in the middle. “All In Time” kicked off the second set and led into UM’s first cover of Bob Seger’s “Hollywood Nights” since July 5, 2014 (74 shows). Later in the closing stanza, the sextet fit a cover of Frank Zappa’s “Willie The Pimp” into the middle of “Mulche’s Odyssey.” “Willie The Pimp” had been on the shelf since August 31, 2014 (54 shows). The encore started off with a cover of “YYZ” by Rush and came to a close with the ending of “All In Time.” “YYZ” was last performed by Umphrey’s way back on September 22, 2012 -a span of 265 shows. UM played “YYZ” frequently in 2001 -2003, but it’s become much more rare since that time.

Umphrey’s returns to Portland’s Crystal Ballroom tonight.

Watch fan-shot footage of Umphrey’s covering “YYZ” in 2010 thanks to UmphMania27:

Setlist (via All Things Umphreys)

Set One: You Got the Wrong Guy > Similar Skin > Miami Virtue > Similar Skin, Words, JaJunk > Walletsworth > Believe the Lie > JaJunk

Set Two: All In Time > Hollywood Nights > Higgins, Bad Friday, Nothing Too Fancy[1] > Conduit, The Weight Around, Mulche’s Odyssey > Willie the Pimp > Mulche’s Odyssey

Encore: YYZ > All In Time

[1] unfinished