Umphrey’s McGee Debuts Sturgill Simpson & ELO Covers At Belly Up

Jake Cinninger’s absence did not prevent Umphrey’s McGee from trying out new covers during their show last night at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California. With half of their two-guitarist formation sidelined, guitarist Brendan Bayliss was tasked with leading the group through first-time performances of songs by Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson) and Electric Light Orchestra.

Cinninger is sitting out the band’s March tour dates while “taking a necessary leave of absence for personal reasons.” UM kicked off the Cinninger-less run on Tuesday with their first of two Belly Up Tavern shows.

Wednesday’s second show in Solana Beach featured the pair of cover debuts in the midst of set two. Bayliss commanded the band’s first performance of “Make America Fuk Again,” which will officially be released tomorrow on Sturgill Simpson’s latest Johnny Blues Skies album, Mutiny After Midnight.

After working through the first verse and chorus of “Make America Fuk Again,” UM transitioned into a premiere performance of ELO’s classic “Don’t Bring Me Down.” The quintet segued back into “Make America Fuk Again” to complete its debut offering.

Bayliss and his bandmates play again tonight in Los Angeles at The Regent Theatre. Listen to an audience recording of Umphrey’s McGee covering Sturgill Simpson/Johnny Blue Skies and ELO taped by J. Dern below:

Setlist (via All Things UM)

Set One: Piranhas > 2×2 > The Linear > A Go Go, Much Obliged[1] > 1348

Set Two: Phil’s Farm, Push the Pig, Attachments > Night Nurse, Make America Fuk Again[2] > Don’t Bring Me Down[3] > Make America Fuk Again > Wife Soup

Encore: Jack Straw

Notes:

• Entire show without Jake
• [1] with YYZ (Rush) tease
• [2] debut, Johnny Blue Skies
• [3] debut, Electric Light Orchestra