Umphrey’s McGee Revive Multiple Covers in Chicago

Umphrey’s McGee opened their hometown New Year’s run at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre last night. lespecial provided support duties and Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy and lespecial’s Rory Dolan subbed for drummer Kris Myers, who is still recovering from rotator cuff repair surgery.

The evening commended with “Push the Pig” and the group’s first set also included “Phil’s Farm,” a run from “JaJunk” into “13 Days” and a reprise of “JaJunk,” “40’s Theme” and a set-closing “Nothing Too Fancy.” Dolan handled drums throughout the entire frame.

The ensemble’s second set, which featured Portnoy behind the kit, began with a pair of PInk Floyd classics, “In the Flesh?” and “Another Brick in the Wall” and then moved onto “Puppet String” and their first cover of The Beatles’ “You Never Give Me Your Money” since 2002. From there, Umphrey’s McGee jumped into “Plunger,” which segued into a take on The Police’s “Driven to Tears.” The musicians then busted out Genesis’ “Abacab” for the first time since 2017 and final tune of the segment, “Wizard Burial Ground.”

Their encore also featured a number of surprises. After the original “Conduit,” with Portnoy on drums, the band revived Spïnal Tap’s “Big Bottom” for the first time since 2013 and then closed the night with their first version of Rush’s “YYZ” since 2018. Adding some theatrics to the encore, during “Big Bottom,” Dolan returned to the kit while guitarist Brendan Bayliss and Portnoy both picked the bass alongside bassist Ryan Stasik. (Dolan also provided the beat on the Rush finale.)

Umphrey’s McGee’s Chicago run will continue this evening. Dolan and former Goose drummer Ben Atkind will fill in for Myers.