Umphrey’s McGee Soothes the Crowd at Ravinia Festival

Always a pleasure to spend a night at Ravinia. This time it was for the great Chicago jam band Umphrey’s McGee. I have to tell you this was one of the most interesting shows I’ve seen at Ravinia thus far. Not to mention, it was a giant party for hippies and stoners. Having just released their new album Similar Skin, they were ready for the party.

Walking in, it wasn’t very packed. It started to fill up more during the second half of the concert. Umphrey’s McGee is a progressive rock band originally from South Bend, IN, whose music is often referred to as “progressive improvisation” or “improg.” Although the band is part of the jam band scene, like Phish and the Grateful Dead, they’re more influenced by progressive rock artists like King Crimson, Yes, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd and Genesis.

Starting from the very beginning, Umphrey’s just started jamming on some of their own songs including “Divisions,” “Second Self,” “In the Kitchen,” “Great American,” “Susanah,” and a great cover of Toto’s “Africa.”

After taking a break from their first set, the band came back and pushed it harder on the second. Starting out with a new song called “Cut the Cable” off their new album, flowing right into “Wappy Sprayberry” and another great cover of The Police’s “Walking on the Moon.” Umphrey’s covers are always really great having heard them cover great songs before like The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” and Band of Gypsys’ “Who Knows” at Summerfest this year. The band always knows how to put their own spin on things.

Throughout the night, everyone was either tripping on something or drinking just to enjoy the music. As funny as that sounds, it’s true. Every time I go to a jam band concert, it’s usually almost always the same. But overall, Umphrey’s is really an outstanding band who are really tight. I would definitely catch them again when they’re in town and I highly recommend everyone out there to go see them. Kris Meyers on drums just kills it, and Brendan Bayliss on guitar and vocals really just smooths everything out and keeps the music flowing.

If you like good progressive rock or bands like Grateful Dead or Phish, then I suggest you check out this band, and I think Ravinia was the PERFECT setting for them.

For more info on Umphrey’s McGee, check out their website: www.umphreys.com