Umphrey's McGee Rocks the House in Virginia on the 19th Anniversary of the Band's First Show. Grateful Music Writer and Photographer Neil Peek was there to capture the festivities.

Umphrey's McGee can throw a PARTY!  At The National (@thenationalva) on Saturday night was no exception. It was a birthday party of sorts, the celebration of 19 years of shows. The crowd was excited to be a part of this anniversary of Umphrey’s first show on January 21, 1998 in South Bend, Indiana. There is no recording of this first show but there is no doubt it was Umphrey’s we know but maybe a few less lights.

Friday night was a roof raising 2-set show that left many wondering what Saturday would bring. The word was out after the show thatthe bar had been raised, “Umph is playing one of the best sets I've ever heard from them”, left many scurrying for tickets for Saturday’s SOLD OUT show.

Umphrey’s opened Saturday’s show with the hard pounding “Conduit”, a taste to get things primed for this epic night. Moving through the rest of the set to close with a classic “Live and Let Die” by Paul McCartney & Wings. This was an amazing closer to an amazing set on Saturday night but left the fans wondering what could they bring for the second set of their 19th year.

The second set brought many Umphrey’s crowd pleasers, new and old, “JaJunk”, 2001 debuted,  “The Fussy Dutchman” debuted in 1999 and not often heard “Wine, Women, and Song” that was finished off by a “JaJunk” finish to close the show. 

What encore would Umphrey’s finish the Saturday show with? No other than “Phil’s farm”, an original that was introduced that night 19 years ago.

This show was one of the best and important nights for Ump fans. It was very apparent from the minute the doors of The National opened;  the excitement and energy was constant all night. The crowd was in unison with the band every step of the way. 

The fans Encored the night with their “THANK YOU” to Umphrey’s McGee. A Classic!

Umphrey's McGee

The National

Richmond,VA 1/21/17

Set 1: Conduit > Walletsworth, Nemo, Prowler > Wife Soup, Speak Up > Live and Let Die

Set 2: The Crooked One > Make It Right, The Linear > Educated Guess, JaJunk > Mail Package, The Fussy Dutchman, Women Wine and Song > JaJunk

Encore: Phil's Farm

Words & Photos by: Neil Peek

Edited by:Greg Heffelfinger

© 2017 Grateful Music LLC