Umphrey’s McGee Opens With 22-Minute ‘Mantis’ In Oakland

Umphrey’s McGee returned to The Fox Theater in Oakland on Saturday for their ninth concert at the Bay Area venue. Last night’s show began with an adventurous 22-minute “Mantis” and included many other classics as well as a pair of recently debuted songs.

Umphrey’s McGee made their Fox Oakland debut on March 17, 2012. The sextet went on to play the venue annually for the next seven years and finally came back last night for the first time since March 1, 2019. A well-jammed “Mantis” complete with its “Preamble” intro kicked off the action following an opening set from The Main Squeeze. Guitarists Jake Cinninger and Brendan Bayliss traded licks during the groovy “Mantis” improvisation. The band patiently explored the funky progression before Cinninger let loose with furious riffage to lead back into the composition.

“Fenced In” filled the two-slot as the cut from the band’s recently released studio album, Asking For A Friend, was played live for the third time. The rest of last night’s first set was devoted to a massive “Bridgeless” sequence that encompassed “Half Delayed,” “Night Nurse” and “Plunger.”

UM treated fans in Oakland to a six-song second set heavy on improvisation. “Hurt Bird Bath” spanned 15 minutes and featured a jam sounding straight out of a video game. Next up was the seventh version of Asking For A Friend standout “Escape Goat.” Keyboardist Joel Cummins starred on the song’s dance-rock jam. From there, the six-piece played oldie “Divisions.” UM explored multiple spaces, including a soaring, blissful progression over the course of 19 minutes. It was then back to the dance-rock with “Wappy Sprayberry.”

Saturday’s second set concluded with the high-octane “Crucial Taunt” and anthemic instrumental “Den.” Umphrey’s McGee delivered an extended “Booth Love” as the encore at The Fox. The band now heads to Reno, Nevada for a show at Grand Sierra Resort tonight.

Watch pro-shot video featuring most of last night’s “Mantis” below:

Setlist (via All Things Umphrey’s)

Set One: Preamble > Mantis, Fenced In, Bridgeless > Half Delayed, Night Nurse, Plunger > Bridgeless

Set Two: Hurt Bird Bath, Escape Goat, Divisions, Wappy Sprayberry > Crucial Taunt, Den

Encore: Booth Love