With their latest studio effort Mantis which was released this past January, Chicago jam based prog rockers Umphrey’s McGee went in an opposite direction of all their previous studio releases. Traditionally, they would road test all their new material before heading into the studio. This time around, however, the six piece ensemble laid all the new arrangements down in studio before testing anything out on the road. In addition to this, they also recorded all the tracks before vocalist Brendan Bayliss came in to work on any of the lyrics and vocals. The final result was a 10 track release that showcased this new approach.
After the album was released, the band started to incorporate Mantis and it’s more structured elements into their live shows. Instead of using their signature hand signals for noodling, they were used for concise segues and fades. Meter changes and the dual guitar work of Bayliss and Jake Cinninnger also moved to the forefront as well.
You’ll need to see the band during their recently extended fall tour to see for yourself how Mantis affected their live shows. We can assume you won’t be disappointed, well, that is unless you don’t live on the east coast. Since the band hasn’t announced any shows for that portion of the country yet, be on the lookout for additional December and November dates.
Tickets for select dates are available via Ticketmaster.com.
Umphrey’s McGee 2009 Tour Dates:
08/27 – Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club
08/28 – Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club
09/02 – Council Blufs, IA @ Whiskey Roadhouse
09/04 – Bellvue, CO @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre
09/05 – Aspen, CO @ Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival
09/06 – Turin, NY @ moe. Down 10
09/09 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Varsity Theatre
09/10 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
09/11 – Austin, TX @ La Zona Rose
09/12 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
09/15 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
09/16 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
09/17 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
09/18 – Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theatre
09/19 – Telluride, CO @ Telluride Blues & Brews Fesitval
10/01 – Bloomington, IN @ IU Auditorium
10/02 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Michigan Theatre
10/03 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
10/07 – Traverse City, MI @ City Opera House
10/08 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
10/09 – Grand Rapids, MI @ The Orbit Room
10/21 – Spokane, WA @ The Knitting Factory
10/22 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
10/23 – Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre
10/24 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
10/25 – Eureka, CA @ Eureka Theatre
10/27 – Petaluma, CA @ McNear’s Mystic Theatre
10/28 – Crystal Bay, NV @ Crystal Bay Casino
10/29 – West Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
10/30 – Groveland, CA @ Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead IV
10/31 – Groveland, CA @ Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead IV
12/10 – Runaway Bay @ Caribbean Holidaze
12/11 – Runaway Bay @ Caribbean Holidaze
12/12 – Runaway Bay @ Caribbean Holidaze
12/13 – Runaway Bay @ Caribbean Holidaze