Umphrey’s McGee Debuts Dire Straits Cover In Missoula

Umphrey’s McGee‘s tour in support of the recently released it’s not us continued on Wednesday night at The Wilma in Missoula, Montana. While the band focused on originals throughout the night, they did work a cover debut into the action at The Wilma.

The sextet opened with the instrumental intro “October Rain,” which gave way to an extended “Miss Tinkle’s Overture.” An expansive “Intentions Clear” followed and featured a wild jam that saw the band explore multiple themes before “Syncopated Strangers” started. Umphrey’s blew through the song’s normal structure for an electronic-tinged improvisation. Guitarists Jake Cinninger and Brendan Bayliss offered impressive interplay ahead of a drop into “Push The Pig.” Keyboardist Joel Cummins was joined by Cinninger on keys for part of “Push The Pig” and then UM completed “Syncopated Strangers.”

“Looks” was the evening’s first taste of it’s not us and was followed by a set-closing “Wizard Burial Ground.” Umphrey’s McGee kicked off the second set with the classic “Der Bluten Kat.” Cinninger led a cover debut of “So Far Away” by Dire Straits between segments of “DBK.” Dire Straits recorded “So Far Away” for their massively successful 1985 album Brothers In Arms. UM had previously performed “Money For Nothing” off the same album two times.

“Speak Up” and “Mad Love” led into a 30+ minute “Utopian Fir” that closed the second set. The members of the band took turns leading the well-jammed fan favorite that included a jazzy foray, an uplifting major-key segment, a taste of AC/DC’s “Back In Black” and a relentless climax the sextet wound up working into the end of “Fir.” Umphrey’s McGee ended the night with a “Remind Me” encore. The six-piece now heads to Seattle for a performance at The Showbox tonight.

Setlist (via The Bort)

Set One: October Rain > Miss Tinkle’s Overture, Intentions Clear > Syncopated Strangers > Push The Pig > Syncopated Strangers, Looks, Wizard Burial Ground

Set Two: Der Bluten Kat > So Far Away > Der Bluten Kat, Speak Up > Mad Love, Utopian Fir

Encore: Remind Me