Umphrey’s McGee Debuts Widespread Panic Cover With Duane Trucks In Athens

Umphrey’s McGee closed out a three-night run at the Georgia Theatre on Saturday with a sold-out show at the Athens, Georgia venue. The sextet began the evening’s encore by premiering a take on the Widespread Panic classic “Pleas,” a fitting choice considering WSP was birthed in Athens and Panic drummer Duane Trucks was behind the kit for UM’s weekend at the Georgia Theatre.

Duane Trucks was filling in for Umphrey’s McGee drummer Kris Myers, who is currently recovering from shoulder surgery. UM guitarist Brendan Bayliss handled lead vocals on “Pleas” and dedicated the cover debut to the band’s good friend Ralph in honor of his birthday.

While “Pleas” was performed twice by Widespread Panic in 1988 as per Everyday Companion, the song was then shelved until March 14, 1992. “Pleas” has been in regular rotation for Panic ever since with a studio version appearing on the band’s 1993 LP, Everyday.

Umphrey’s McGee’s first-ever “Pleas” gave way to the ending of a “Bridgeless” left unfinished in the second set to close the show and run. “Pleas” wasn’t the only surprise presented by UM to the capacity crowd on Saturday. The sextet also dusted off their medley of Michael Jackson’s “The Girl Is Mine” and Janes Addiction’s “Jane Says” for the first time since August 28, 2014 — a span of 730 shows. “The Girl Is Mine,” which Jackson recorded with Paul McCartney, and “Jane Says” came ahead of the “Cemetery Walk II” that brought UM’s second set to a close.

Saturday’s concert also saw Umphrey’s bring back their cover of Tenacious D’s “Kielbasa” for its 2023 debut. The song penned by Jack Black and Kyle Gass had only been performed five times previously at UM shows.

Umphrey’s McGee will close out 2023 with a three-night New Year’s Run at The Riviera Theatre in Chicago. Drummers Mike Portnoy, Rory Dolan and Ben Atkind will share duties behind the kit from December 29 through New Year’s Eve.

Check out pro-shot video of the “Attachments” that opened on Saturday as well as official audio of the entire concert via nugs.net below:

Setlist (via All Things Umphreys)

Set One: Attachments[1] > Bad Friday[1], Hiccup[1] > Wappy Sprayberry[1] > Puppet String[1], Kielbasa[1]

Set Two: Miss Tinkle’s Overture[1], Booth Love[1], Bridgeless[1] > Pay the Snucka[1], Escape Goat[1] > The Girl Is Mine[1] > Jane Says[1] > The Girl Is Mine[1], Cemetery Walk II[1]

Encore: Pleas[2] > Bridgeless[1]

• [1] with Duane Trucks on drums
• [2] debut, Widespread Panic; with Duane Trucks on drums