Umphrey’s McGee closed out its three-night run in Athens, GA with a tribute to hometown heroes Widespread Panic on Saturday, assisted by the band’s drummer Duane Trucks. For the night three encore at the Georgia Theatre, UM debuted a cover of “Pleas”.
The cover was a fitting tip of the cap to Panic, who graciously lent Umphrey’s its drummer for the three-night run and several other performances in recent months. Umphrey’s McGee is currently a man down as drummer Kris Myers recovers from shoulder surgery, and in his absence, the band has employed a stable of ringers including Trucks, Ben Atkind (Goose), Jeremy Salken (Big Gigantic), and Jason Bonham.
Rhythm guitarist Brendan Bayliss handled lead vocals for “Pleas”, mimicking WSP vocalist John Bell‘s signature snarl. Umphrey’s McGee’s heavy prog-rock style connected with the hard-hitting punch of “Pleas”, with keyboardist Joel Cummins channeling his inner JoJo Hermann as his B3 organ roared to life and fellow six-string sorcerer Jake Cinninger nodded to “The Wizard” Jimmy Herring on a blazing guitar solo.
Related: JoJo Hermann Debuts New Widespread Panic Song Featuring Lyrics By Mikey Houser [Watch]
There were more cover surprises than just “Pleas” on Saturday. To finish out the first set, Umphrey’s McGee took on Tenacious D‘s “Kielbasa” for the first time this year. Then in the second set, UM dusted off its first medley of “The Girl Is Mine” (Michael Jackson) and “Jane Says” (Jane’s Addiction) since August 28th, 2014, a gap of 730 shows, per All Things Umphrey’s.
Check out a video preview of Saturday’s Umphrey’s McGee show in Athens, GA with Duane Trucks of Widespread Panic along with full audio from nugs. Trucks will return to his home team for the band’s traditional New Year’s Eve run at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Umphrey’s McGee, meanwhile, will travel back to Chicago and celebrate NYE with a stable of subs including Atkind, Rory Dolan (lespecial), and Mike Portnoy. Tickets and full details are available on the band’s website.
Umphrey’s McGee – “Attachments” – 12/2/23
Umphrey’s McGee – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA – 12/2/23 – Full Audio
Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | Georgia Theatre | Athens, GA | 12/2/23
Set 1: Attachments [1] > Bad Friday [1], Hiccup [1] > Wappy Sprayberry [1] > Puppet String [1], Kielbasa (Tenacious D) [1]
Set 2: Miss Tinkle’s Overture [1], Booth Love [1], Bridgeless [1] > Pay the Snucka [1], Escape Goat [1] > The Girl Is Mine (Michael Jackson) [1] > Jane Says (Jane’s Addiction) [1] > The Girl Is Mine[1], Cemetery Walk II [1]
Encore: Pleas (Widespread Panic) [2] > Bridgeless [1]
Footnotes:
[1] with Duane Trucks on drums
[2] debut, Widespread Panic; with Duane Trucks on drums
Show Notes:
entire show without Kris
last The Girl Is Mine 2014-08-28 (730 shows)
last Jane Says 2014-08-28 (730 shows)
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