On Saturday night, Umphrey’s McGee, the penultimate heavy rockin’ jamband from Chicago-land, rolled into Los Angeles. Like the changing of the seasons, we can always expect to see UM in LA in March around St. Patty’s day and this year was no different…although a week later than usual. Another thing that has become apparent in the 8 or so years I’ve been covering UM shows in LA; whenever they play here, they are bringing the heaviest show that they can possibly deliver. Something about being close to the heart of 80’s heavy metal over on Sunset Boulevard must leech into their subconscious when they roll into town because every time they are in LA, they bring the noise. This year was certainly no different.
Now, before you all start organizing a march in the streets against me, let me explain. I’ve been seeing this band since the early days in Indiana and while I am full aware they are on the heavy version of the jamband spectrum, having seen them in other cities, as recent as last year in San Diego, I know that they don’t always just bring the noise, sometimes they bring the funk as well. Sadly, this year in LA, the funk stayed back at the hotel.
I feel I am pretty well versed in the UM catalogue by now, although not as good as many on the scene. Nevertheless, I found myself asking “what song is this” many times during the night, even though I was familiar with it. I found it funny that I overheard, “I come for the jams, I have no idea what the songs are” from one concert goer.
One of the highlights for, seemingly, everyone in the building was the second set cover of “Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads. Check it Rich Saputo’s video:
Heavy, jammy, metal rock-y…whatever it was, it was certainly a good time. You can’t argue that. This band, is never quite the same. Each UM show is, to quote Forest Gump, like a box of chocolates…you truly never know what you’re gonna get. Except in LA…we know we will always get and face melting, wall shaking, high DB heavy metal version of the UM from Chicago.
SETLIST
03.24.2018 The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Set 1: Dark Brush, Bad Friday, Bridgeless > Example 1, Rocker Part 2, Draconian > Bridgeless
Set 2: Wappy Sprayberry > The Floor, Booth Love[1], JaJunk, Once In a Lifetime, Maybe Someday
Encore: Hajimemashite, The Silent Type
