Umphrey’s Mcgee | 7.16.2010 | Meijer Gardens

Filed in ARTISTS, SHOWS, Umphrey’s McGee on July 20, 2010 with View Comments

Frederick Meijer Garden.
Grand Rapids, MI
Photos and Words by Benjamin Slayter.

Set I: Alex’s House > Made to Measure > Bright Lights > Alex’s House, 2×2, Thin Air

Set II: NothingTooFancy> Conduit, Africa, Phil’s Farm > Kula > Phil’s Farm, Gulf Stream, 2nd Self, Night Moves > NothingTooFancy.

E: Orfeo, 1348

Stream “Made To Measure” from this show.

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Quote of the evening: “Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart would have been able to use Kris Myers’ drum sticks as tooth picks after what happened here tonight.” – Z Brah Zink.

When you’re expecting to have you mind blown, things can be a bit dangerous but who would have ever called a “Night Moves” cover? An early-evening outdoor show (they had to be off the stage by 10:30 meant a few things – great light on the stage, and less light from the Waful. I have to admit, seeing these men march out with ivy growing behind them is a bit…different. Having no photo pit is also a new one for me, and weaving through the crowd (dressed in super hero costumes and each double-fisting local brews) was a wee bit dangerous, but wow, what a night.

The first set was an insightful blend of old and new, and from the mentions of how many friends they had in the audience (including college room mates) we knew we were in for a treat. After a short set break they returned to a “Nothing Too Fancy” straight into Conduit, then the shocker of the century: Toto’s Africa, which has been on the top of my UM Covers play list for three weeks, and had been begged for on the boards. Was this a fan request or just aiming to please? They hadn’t busted it out since UM Bowl this spring, and before that, Jamaica. A Phil’s -> Kula-> Phil’s was fabulous, I got my “Gulf Stream” and lyrics of being with friends in Michigan, 2nd self was tight, but the house erupted when they broke into Seger’s “Night Moves” and then finished with a “Nothing too fancy” bringing us back to where we began set ii.

Stage lights stayed on, and Joel came back out to play an enchanting “Orfeo” in the twilight, then everyone joined him for a 1348 encore. Bravo. See you in Chicago for North Coast!

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About the Author

Benjamin Slayter is a Honolulu-born, Michigan-based photographer who travels the country in search of the best artists and festivals in the jam scene. He’s also an event producer, marketing director, connector, collaborator, technical director, consultant and content creator. He lives in Michigan with his wife @sweatymouse and flying dog, Rudy. Benjamin invites professional and industry connections through his Linkedin Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminslayter and photo connections through Slayter Creative’s facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/slaytercreative. Personal connections are encouraged through his personal FB page as well: http://www.facebook.com/benjamin.slayter. He writes a blog at http://www.slaytercreative.com/blog and is fairly active on twitter at twitter.com/slaytercreative