Umphrey’s McGee Welcome Warren Haynes and Karina Rykman at ‘Blueprints’ Premiere Event

Umphrey’s McGee, photo by Geoff Tischman

Last night, Sept. 8, Umphrey’s McGee returned home to Chicago for the official premiere of Blueprints, their long-awaited 15th studio album and first since 2022’s Asking for a Friend. Onstage at Garcia’s Chicago, the intimate and acoustically refined new venue, restaurant and jam haven in the heart of their Windy City stomping grounds, the genre-bending jam quintet marked the start of a new era with an evening packed with musical breakthroughs and fan service. One of the event’s most memorable highlights came as a last-minute surprise, when the group welcomed special guest appearances from Warren Haynes and Karina Rykman.

After some Umphrey’s McGee-themed refreshments and a record signing opportunity from the band, the Blueprints premiere formally commenced with an exclusive first listen of the new album on the venue’s cutting-edge Meyer Sound speaker array. Following the listening session, the band led a Q&A session of fan-submitted questions on the complex process behind the album’s production and other recent developments; one notable highlight was commentary from Scotty Zwang, who spoke on what he’s focused on while learning the Umphrey’s repertoire for his new posting as the band’s full-time drummer.

A brief intermission passed before Umphrey’s took the stage again, this time with instruments in hand for a ripping single set performance, beginning with the classic “Wallestsworth,” bridged into “Miss Tinkle’s Overture.” Rather than returning to the massive “Raw Stewage” musical epics that comprise their new album, the band stuck to the essentials, which they signalled with standalone treatments of “Cut the Cable” and “Ringo” before a sprawling medley of “Hiccup,” “The Crooked One” and “Nemo.” The remainder of UM’s set was channelled into an expansive, seamlessly transitioned rotation of fan favorites, weaving from “Plunger” into their Talking Heads-style cover of “Take Me to the River,” “Divisions,” Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” (staged for the first time since Aug. 2023) and the always satisfying finale of “40’s Theme,” a setlist staple dating back to 2000.

By popular demand, Umphrey’s McGee remained onstage for an encore and rolled into the opening notes of “In the Kitchen,” a standout jam vehicle from their third studio album Anchor Drops. To properly punctuate the ceremonial program, frontman Brendan Bayliss took a beat at the song’s first improvisational section to entice the audience with the possibility of a relief guitarist, name-dropping and then properly welcoming Haynes. As the storied Southern-rock axeman stepped into the spotlight and strapped on Bayliss’ instrument, so too did rising star Rykman, who took over for bassist Ryan Stasik. After some high-flying solos, the bandmates returned to their regular stations to wrap an unforgettable performance with one last blast of energy.

Blueprints will arrive on digital services and in physical formats this Friday, Sept. 12. That night, Umphrey’s McGee will return to the stage for the first of three nights at Bellvue, Colo.’s Mishawaka Amphitheatre. Find tickets and more information at umphreys.com.

Read on for the full setlist from Monday night.

Umphrey’s McGee

Garcia’s Chicago – Chicago

9/8/2025

Set: Walletsworth > Miss Tinkle’s Overture, Cut the Cable*, Ringo, Hiccup > The Crooked One > Nemo, Plunger → Take Me To the River+ > Divisions > Have a Cigar# > 40’s Theme

Encore: In The Kitchen^

Notes:

* w/ “Rhiannon” (Fleetwood Mac) tease

+ Two verses

# LTP Aug. 24, 2023 (174 shows)

^ w/ Warren Haynes replacing Brendan on guitar and Karina Rykman replacing Ryan on bass during the jam; with Brendan on percussion

Setlist via allthings.umphreys.com.