Umphrey's McGee
12/31/10
Riviera Theatre
Chicago, IL
I: Nothing Too Fancy > In The Kitchen, Rocker pt. II, Nemo, Bright Lights*, new song, Nothing Too Fancy
II: Wellwishers^, The Payback^, Sex Machine^, Andy's Last Beer^, All in Time, Ringo, Demolition Man^, 1348^
III: Hajimemashite, Mixed Bizness^, Auld Lang Syne^, Partyin' Peeps^, Miss Tinkles Overture, Higgins, Slacker#, Booth Love^, National Anthem^
E: Sir Duke^, Glory, 40's Theme
* w/ Jeff Coffin on saxophone
^ w/ horns
# w/ Cody Dickinson on washboard
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It was mild weather for NYE in Chicago if not a bit rainy. Steve and I went to the preshow gathering at Goose Island in Wrigleyville. We were tardy and thus had to eat at the Salt and Pepper Diner next door which probably worked out for the best. I enjoyed my omelette while watching Easy Rider on the flatscreens. We made our way to the Riv and found a decent spot in the balcony albeit behind the seats that had been reserved for CID. I have no problem with Umphrey's reserving the boxes on the sides for their friends and families. I can tolerate the first few rows of the balcony being roped off, though other bands that play the Riv of similiar ilk don't pull that shit. However, the situation this year at the Riv was really unacceptable as far as I'm concerned. Dan Berkowitz is just about profiting off the scene and it sucks we have to be further from the stage as a result of it. Sorry if I don't need a travel agent to coordinate my touring.
The first set was clearly the musical highlight of this performance. I loved the Chicago Bulls style introduction to the tune of Sirius by Alan Parsons Project. Ray Clay would have been proud. N2F got the night started in proper fashion. Jake was on fire. This eventually transitioned into the Chicago anthem, In the Kitchen. Next came Rocker II which was expected given the history of that song and its connection to NYE/Riviera Theatre. They used a repeated stew/jam. Nemo had a nice piece of improvisation in the middle. Bright Lights included Jeff Coffin who shockingly overstayed his welcome. The new song which is reportedly known as Deeper was impressive. It seems to be in a similar vein to Booth Love. After a short pause they started up the ending of N2F, thus finishing off a very successful set of UM.
That was my first time hearing Wellwishers and the horns augmented this version. I was a little surprised that Linear didn't get played as this was a perfect time to showcase the new material. I loved Kris Myers as James Brown on The Payback > Sex Machine. That was great. ALB with horns came next but was relatively straightforward. AIT was one of the highlights of this show for me. The electronic jam, though very simple/repetitive was a much needed dance session. Ringo also had some improv though with less successful results. The Police cover, Demolition Man, was a big surprise but worked very well. 1348 is one of the best tunes off Mantis. As someone who is involved in agribusiness the lyrics "plant, seed, light" resonates.
Haj started up about 11:45. The Beck cover, Mixed Bizness was a song that I was unfamiliar with. I would have preferred a UM original leading up until midnight. After the confetti drops, hugs, and handshakes and the obligatory Auld Lang Syne they started up the cliche Partyin' Peeps. This wasn't what I was looking for at all. Compared to the monster version of HBB we got after midnight last year this just didn't compare. Miss Tinkles got the energy back up, however, in the place of any original improvisation they inserted a Can't You Hear Me Knocking jam. At this point I went downstairs onto the floor. Higgins had a pretty generic jam. Slacker has been one of their best songs in 2010. In place of any full band jamming they brought out Cody Dickinson on his washboard. Cinninger started up some interesting work with Cody but largely again this was a missed opportunity. Booth Love was my favorite part of the set. I liked hearing that song with horns but as with all previous versions they left it unexplored. It's such a catchy groove but they need to take it somewhere. Waful had some devilish red lights that accompanied the Radiohead cover very well. The sets got progessively weaker as the show progessed. The third set was more of a party.
We went back upstairs for the encore. Sir Duke was a nice call. I've been on a huge Stevie Wonder kick lately and of course the horns were perfect for this. Glory got me thinking about the last 7 NYE spent with Umphrey's McGee in Chicago. Jake always soars with that instrumental and it provided a nice moment of reflection. 40's Theme provided one last dance with its sexy groove. As the house lights came on and the familiar sounds of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World came on the PA the band members came back onstage to show their appreciation.
It's been a real pleasure to see their career progress. I hadn't seen the band since Summer Camp and the time off was much needed. I had absolutely no qualms about choosing to do UM NYE instead of Phish NYE. That was the place where I was supposed to be at that place and time. As I scoped the crowd there were a lot of new faces. It really is a revolving cast to a large extent. However, I saw plenty of people who have been there year after year like myself. I get the sense that UM wants to create a more dance friendly atmosphere at their shows these days. Perhaps they got tired of playing to a bunch of dudes who did nothing but bob their heads. Regardless, it seems like UM is in a good place right now. Their new material is going be something to build on in 2011. With my journey to Worcester I felt like I was able to enjoy the best of both worlds in the week leading up to NYE.
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