9/5/20 Umphrey's McGee @ Drive-Inn at Seatgeek Stadium - Bridgeview, IL

 

Over Labor Day weekend I was finally able to attend a concert during this pandemic era.  It was socially distanced in the parking lot of Seatgeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL.  I attended this show with my friend Steve from Wicker Park.  A friend from college, Lindsay and her friend Lauren also rode with us.  The break from seeing live music for me had lasted over 6 months.   This is the longest I've gone without seeing music since 1999.  Ever since they began using this facility for Drive In movies I'd been hoping that Umphrey's McGee would utilize this venue.  I really had a good time but ultimately it felt too soon to be returning to large events of this nature.  When people started drinking they lost focus on safety.  One wonders about the cleanliness of the portapotties.  The PA music was appropriate for a Drive In.  All the songs were related to vehicles.  

Driving into the city I thought about all the time I'd spent on Umphrey's McGee over the years.  In the early days it was a fun excuse to go to Iowa City.  Later it evolved into a hobby that allowed me to visit midwest college towns.  Over time they became a viable act to follow.  I'm proud of the progress they've made as a band.  The music became more danceable and generally more accessible.  1348 as an opener is a nod to the Bubonic Plague that struck Europe in that year.  This was my first Seasons.  That's a quality newer tune.  The Police cover worked well in this setting with its industrial surroundings.   Joel Cummins is from nearby.  Wife Soup made me nostalgic about older days of seeing the band.  

I think the highlight of the show was Hurt Bird Bath in the second set.  It's amazing how far Rocktopus has come as an instrumental.  I wish the sound had been a tad louder but we were towards the back.  It was nice to have so much space to dance.  I could get used to that.  Overall, I liked the energy of the performance.  This has been such a weird time.  After so much isolation it was nice to get out and see a show. 

1/25/20 Mike Gordon @ Majestic Theatre - Madison, WI

It's been almost 10 weeks since I traveled to Madison, WI for Mike Gordon at the Majestic Theatre on January 25th.  It was a Saturday night.  The show had sold out several weeks in advance.  I had just recovered from a horrible cold/flu which now has me wondering if that wasn't the Coronavirus.  The lasting effect from this was an ear infection that left tinnitus in my left ear.  I couldn't hear the nuance of this performance.  Nonetheless, I still managed to have fun.  Madison has always been my favorite college town.  The funky coffee shops along State St. must remind Mike Gordon of Burlington, VT.  I parked my car near the Overture Center.  Then walked to Pizza Di Roma for a slice of subpar pizza.  That place must have gone downhill.  I walked around the capital building to the venue and arrived while they were playing the opening song I Am Random.  My favorite parts of the first set were Victim and Stealing Jamaica.  The whole first set was an I Am Random sandwich.


The second set started off with Angatta and then was followed by a new song called Borrowing Rain.  I heard Trapezoidal Sunshine in Chicago a few years ago.  It has a message of trying to count to ten resolve anger.  Are You A Hypnotist?? was well done.  The Grid was my favorite part of the performance.  I've like that track from the Leo/Mike album.  Next was Steps which is one of the best songs from his 'OGOGO' album.  I watched most of this show from the very top of the balcony.  It was a unique perspective.  I could still feel the bass even though I couldn't hear everything.  I made my way to the first floor during the last song of the set and the encore.  Then I had to get on the road.  Destiny Unbound.