Umphrey’s McGee covered Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa” and debuted a new original song “Nether” at Red Rocks on Sunday night. The concert wrapped a three-night stand at the venue near Denver.
“Nether” made its debut at the end of the first set and featured guitarist Jake Cinninger singing lead on the heavy new rocker, with guitarist Brendan Bayliss coming in to sing a section near the end. Earlier in the evening, UM opened the show with Cinninger leading the band through “40’s Theme.” The first set progressed with “Words” and “Looks,” the latter working in a jam on Mötley Crüe’s “Dr. Feelgood.” UM then sequenced together “Half Delayed,” “Resolution” and “Suxity” with elements of David Bowie’s “Fame,” before landing on “Miss Tinkle’s Overture.” The aforementioned debut ushered in setbreak.
The final UM set of this year’s Red Rocks run began with “Hurt Bird Bath,” which opened into an extended improvisation. Old-school favorite “Slacker” came next, followed by the groove-oriented instrumental “The Triple Wide” and a return to complete the “Mantis” started on the opening night of the run. Next, Bayliss led the band through “Believe The Lie.”
Percussionist Andy Farag (“Cousin Eli”) then joined Bayliss at the front of the stage for a Father’s Day cover of Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa.” UM’s only previous performance of the song came 699 shows prior, on March 9, 2013. Sunday’s bust out closed the second set. UM then headed back to the Red Rocks stage for the encore, pairing “Wappy Sprayberry” with the poignant “Hajimemashite.”
Stream a recording of the show by taper Don Olker, watch pro-shot video of the first set opener and view a set of photographer Phil Clarkin’s photos below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQY3w6_pQpj/
https://www.facebook.com/umphreysmcgee/videos/326062002381647
Setlist (via All Things Umphrey’s)
Set One: 40’s Theme, Words, Looks[1], Half Delayed > Resolution > Suxity[2] > Miss Tinkle’s Overture, Nether
Set Two: Hurt Bird Bath, Slacker, The Triple Wide > Mantis[3], Believe the Lie, Big Poppa[4]
Encore: Wappy Sprayberry > Hajimemashite
Notes:
- [1] with Dr. Feelgood (Motley Crue) jam and quotes
- [2] with Fame (David Bowie) jam
- [3] completing the 06.19.2021 version
- [4] with Andy on vocals, last Big Poppa 03.09.2013 (699 shows)
