Umphrey’s McGee Dusts Off ‘Q*Bert’ & Miles Davis Cover In Indiana

Umphrey’s McGee returned to Indiana, the state where the band was formed, last night for a concert at The Bluebird in Bloomington. The sextet worked three songs they hadn’t played in at least 100 shows into the setlist.

UM’s first show at the venue since 2013 began with an extended “Got Your Milk (Right Here).” Guitarist Jake Cinninger displayed his versatility in leading his bandmates through multiple improvisational segments out of the song from his Ali Baba’s Tahini project. The “Milk” jam faded into an equally adventurous “Phil’s Farm,” a tune which predates Umphrey’s McGee. Keyboardist Joel Cummins and bassist Ryan Stasik helped direct the blissful and funky improvisation.

After guitarist Brendan Bayliss acknowledged the 11 years that had passed between visits to The Bluebird, UM launched into rarity “Eat.” The instrumental was last played on June 10, 2022 — 128 shows prior. It was then back to the Ali Baba’s catalog for “Syncopated Strangers” before “Domino Theory” off 2011’s Death By Stereo and “Fenced In” from the band’s latest LP, Asking For A Friend (2022), became the newest songs performed in the frame. The last 30 minutes of the first set on Wednesday were devoted to beloved classics “Kabump” and “Front Porch,” both of which date back to 1998 and were given the jam treatment.

Umphrey’s McGee showcased material from the past decade to start last night’s second set. Up first was live staple “Bad Friday” and Asking For A Friend standout “Hiccup.” The latter faded into the potent “Speak Up” sung with authority by Brendan Bayliss. The guitarist went on to dedicate the ensuing “Dump City” to Bluebird owner Dave Kubiak. “Thanks for having us back again and again,” Bayliss said of the venue’s owner.

The initial cover played by Umphrey’s last night in Bloomington was Tyler Childers’ “Whitehouse Road.” Thursday was just the fourth time UM performed the song since 2019, the year they debuted the cover. Once again the band dedicated the end of the set to oldies. Fan-favorite “Much Obliged” bled into obscurity “Q*Bert,” an instrumental last played on November 14, 2021 (173 shows). Umphrey’s then capped the frame with the Miles Davis composition “It’s About That Time.” Wednesday’s “Q*Bert” and the band’s first “It’s About That Time” cover since January 18, 2020 (252 shows) were connected by a jam on Hall & Oates’ “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do).”

Umphrey’s mixed the old and new in the encore by fitting 2020 single “Suxity” within the 1998-debuted “Hangover.” The band’s winter tour moves on to Knoxville, Tennessee tonight.

Stream official audio of Wednesday’s show via nugs.net below:

Audience Recording (Taped by Michael Frasca)

Setlist (via All Things Umphreys)

Set One: Got Your Milk (Right Here), Phil’s Farm, Eat, Syncopated Strangers > Domino Theory, Fenced In, Kabump > Front Porch

Set Two: Bad Friday, Hiccup > Speak Up, Dump City, Whitehouse Road, Much Obliged > Q*Bert > It’s About That Time

Encore: Hangover > Suxity > Hangover

Show Notes: last It’s About That Time 2020-01-18 (252 shows)