Images by: Phil Clarkin

Umphrey’s McGee with Spafford :: 08.09.18
Cain’s Ballroom :: Tulsa, OK

Umphrey’s McGee began a run of four shows in four nights on Thursday with a concert at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma on the tenth anniversary of LD Jefferson Waful’s first night lighting the band. Arizona jam quartet Spafford kicked off the show with an improv-heavy set that started with a 30+ minute “All My Friends” > “Bee Jam” and also performed “Minds Unchained” and “Plans.” Umphrey’s opened their first of two sets with the hard-hitting “North Route” and Anchor Drops classic “Walletsworth.” The six-piece then treated fans to an expansive “Phil’s Farm” dance party and the first “Loose Ends” in 29 shows. One of the improvisational highlights of the night followed with a “Tribute To The Spinal Shaft” that featured an ethereal ambient jam. UM ended the frame with early favorite “Sociable Jimmy” and a cover of The Who’s “Baba O’Riley.”

Guitarist Brendan Bayliss led Umphrey’s through “Domino Theory” to open their second set in Tulsa. Bassist Ryan Stasik laid the groundwork for a metal-meets-disco jam powered by drummer Kris Myers. An extended “Remind Me” came next and featured impressive interplay between guitarist Jake Cinninger and keyboardist Joel Cummins. The instrumental “Miss Tinkle’s Overture” was also jammed out with groovy improvisation that included teases of Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” Bayliss dedicated “Conduit” to Waful and told the story of Jefferson’s first show before a run of “Crucial Taunt,” “Deeper” and “Partyin’ Peeps” brought the set to a close. Umphrey’s said farewell to Tulsa with a complete “Pay The Snucka” encore. Official audio of Umphrey’s McGee’s sets is available for purchase here. Check out photographer Phil Clarkin’s photos below as well as audience recordings of all three sets:

Audio | Taped by Don Olker

Spafford

Umphrey’s McGee

Setlists (via All Things Umphreys and Spaffnerds)

Spafford

Set: All My Friends > Bee Jam > Mind’s Unchained, Plans

Umphrey’s McGee

Set One: North Route > Walletsworth > Phil’s Farm, Loose Ends, Tribute to the Spinal Shaft > Sociable Jimmy, Baba O’Riley

Set Two: Domino Theory, Remind Me > Miss Tinkle’s Overture, Conduit, Crucial Taunt, Deeper > Partyin’ Peeps

Encore: Pay the Snucka