On June 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, South Bend-born six-piece prog-jam outfit Umphrey’s McGee will return to Morrison, CO’s picturesque Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a stage the band has been fortunate to play many times over the years.
On Friday, June 21st, the first night of the run, Umphrey’s McGee will be joined by Arizona jam quartet Spafford. The following night, Saturday, June 22nd, Brooklyn-based nine-piece funk powerhouse Turkuaz will offer support prior to UM’s headlining performance.
The supporting bands both have experience sharing the stage with Umphrey’s McGee. Spafford has joined Umphrey’s on tour various times over the last few years. On Jam Cruise 17 earlier this year, Umphrey’s welcomed the Turkauz horn section for a rendition of “Booth Love” and a cover of Herbie Hancock‘s “Hang Up Your Hangups”
On the run’s final night, Sunday, June 23rd, Umphrey’s will perform three sets including a special Led Zeppelin set with guest drummer Jason Bonham. In 2018 at LOCKN’, Jason—the son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham—joined Umphrey’s McGee for a large portion of their final set of the weekend. To begin his extended sit-in, Bonham helped Umphrey’s McGee through “Conduit”, the longtime setlist staple which appeared on the band’s 2011 studio album, Death By Stereo. From there, the band moved forward with a string of Zeppelin classics including “Good Times, Bad Times”, “Dancing Days”, “When the Levee Breaks”, “The Song Remains the Same”, and “Whole Lotta Love”. It would be safe to say that fans can look forward to a similarly exciting mix of Zeppelin covers, as well as collaborative engagements with members of Turkuaz and Spafford during the upcoming Red Rocks throwdown.
Keyboardist Joel Cummins shared his thoughts on Umphrey’s upcoming Red Rocks run. He explained,
It’s no secret that anyone who has played at Red Rocks usually says it’s their favorite venue they’ve ever played. There’s magic in the air–the audience feels it, the musicians feel it… it just surrounds you. We’ve had the honor of visiting Red Rocks since 2005. It never gets old and is always the highlight of our summer. To share the stage with two excellent younger bands in Turkuaz & Spafford ups the ante for us. And closing out the three night stand with the amazing Jason Bonham playing a set of Zeppelin should lift the entire place into the stratosphere.
You can check out videos of Umphrey’s McGee’s John Bonham-assisted set at LOCKN’ 2018 below:
Umphrey’s McGee w/ Derek Trucks, Jason Bonham – “Whole Lotta Love” – 8/24/18
[Video: Stefanie May]
Umphrey’s McGee w/ Jason Bonham & Taylor Hicks – “When The Levee Breaks” – 8/24/18
[Video: Stefanie May]
In addition to the three Red Rocks shows, Umphrey’s guitarists Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger will help kick off the weekend with an intimate acoustic performance at Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox in Denver on Thursday, June 20th. Proceeds from the performance will benefit Conscious Alliance. That show is sold out.
Tickets for Umphrey’s three-night Red Rocks run are still on sale here, so grab them before it’s too late!
For more information and a full list of Umphrey’s McGee’s upcoming tour dates, head to the band’s website.
The post Umphrey’s McGee Is Set To Put The “Rock” In Red Rocks This June [Videos] appeared first on L4LM.
