Umphrey’s McGee Mash-up Halloween In Milwaukee

Continuing a Halloween tradition dating back to 2008, Umphrey’s McGee — in both costume and performance — delivered a number of mash-ups at the final night of their three-show run at The Riverside Theater in Milwaukee. The evening also featured a few bust-outs and plenty of wide-ranging group improvisation.

Taking the stage with the theme from Game Of Thrones playing on the PA, the members of UM took their places dressed in costumes that each were variations of the show’s character Jon Snow. A stretched out “1348” served as the evening’s opener, and was followed by an old-school pairing of “Example 1” > “Padgett’s Profile.” The rest of the set saw a soaring “Glory” sandwiched between an exploratory “Much Obliged” and “Go To Hell” as well as “Day Nurse” played between “Final Word” and the set closing “Rocker Part 2.”

The second half got off to an energetic start with a spirited “Mulche’s Odyssey.” Hint’s of the Halloween theme surfaced in “Resolution” which gave way to “The Triple Wide” featuring a dance-forward improv section propelled by Ryan Stasik’s dark bass grooves. The progressive jam preceded the night’s first mash-up, as the group debuted the adventurous “I Can’t Rock Dream My Face” which weaved together elements of The Weekend’s “Can’t Feel My Face,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You.”

Just the sixth performance of “Remind Me” came next before things took a heavy and sinister turn in the form of a pair of bust outs, “Nopener” > “Sludge & Death”  — each being played for the first time in over 100 shows. Another bust out, “Lounge Nopener” once again saw drummer Kris Myers step from behind the kit to handle lead vocals while guitarist Jake Cinninger took over on drums. The crooning arrangement of the typical thrasher had last been played in 2012 and served as the second set closer.

UM returned for the encore, beginning with the original “Den” ahead of the night’s second and final mash-up. The familiar ringing first guitar notes of AC/DC’s “Back In Black” were soon followed by lyrics from Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” and then the band turned on a note to deliver the “Back In Black” lyrics over “Sexual Healing,” resulting in “Back In Sexual Heeling” and wrapping up UM’s Halloween performance in Milwaukee.

Setlist (via All Things Umphrey’s)

Set One: 1348, Example 1 > Padgett’s Profile, Much Obliged > Glory > Go to Hell, Final Word > Day Nurse > Rocker Part 2

Set Two: Mulche’s Odyssey, Resolution [1] > The Triple Wide, I Can’t Rock My Dream Face [2], Remind Me, Nopener > Sludge & Death, Nopener [3]

Encore: Den, Back In Sexual Healing [4]

Notes:

• [1] with Halloween theme (John Carpenter) teases
• [2] debut; Can’t Feel My Face (The Weekend) + Dreams (Fleetwood Mac) + Rock With You (Michael Jackson) mash-up
• [3] “lounge” version
• [4] debut; Back In Black (AC/DC) + Sexual Healing (Marvin Gaye) mash-up
• Band costumes: Brendan was Jon Snotre Dame, Jake was Jon Bon Snovi, Joel was Dr. Jon Snow, Andy was Jon Snoates, Kris was Jon Snowen Wilson, and Ryan was Jon Snobi Wan Kanobi
• Band walked out to Game of Thrones Main Title (Ramin Djawadi)