Umphrey's McGee Stories

Where There's A Will... The Jake Cinninger Interview

Words: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Kristine CondonCinningers guitar technique is precise, yet expansive. Stylistically and technically, he has no boundaries. Combine amastery of jazz harmony with a love of 80s-stylemetal shreddingand he canreally open things up. Hes capable of anthemic, melodic licks, and repetitive odd-time feels.Jakes one of the most creative, and unique guitarists playing...

Review / Video| Umphrey's McGee Plays All-Improv Set @ Orpheum Theater

Words: Carmel O'Farrell (@carmelocorn) | Photos: Kristine Condon Photography| Video:shinepigeon 2.0On Thursday, January 28th, Umphrey's McGee kicked off their two night run at the Orpheum Theater in Madison, WI. This was unquestionably the most anticipated show of winter tour with a promise of a full set of music that would be100% improvised.With special guest...

Review / Full Show Video | Jake Cinninger Solo @ Tonic Room 11/15/15

By: Carmel O'Farrell | Photos: Michael Welter | Video: Charles IzenstarkThe Umphreys community in the Chicagoland area contains some of the most devout fans in the jam world.After all, this prog-heavy powerhouse rock sextet once called the Windy City their home and cut their teeth in many of the local venues like Martyrs and Schubas....

Review / Video | Umphrey's McGee @ Ravinia 8/14/15

Umphreys McGee Rocks RaviniaWords: Carmel O'Farrell | Photos: Kristine CondonRavinia Festival is a summer long concert series that takes place in the hoity-toity Chicago suburb of Highland Park. Concert goers are encouraged to picnic on the lawn surrounding the pavilion as they listen to the relaxing sounds of artists like Aretha Franklin and Steely Dan throughout...

Stream / Download / Video | Umphrey's McGee & Widespread Panic Collaborate In Pittsburgh

Umphrey's McGee and Widepsread Panic completed a three night run together on Sunday night at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, culminating with some collaborations that went both ways.UM welcomed Panic guitarist Jimmy Herring, keyboardist Jojo Herrmann and drummer Duane Trucks for a red hot take on The Who's late period classic "Eminence Front". Thanks to...

Video / Stream / Download: Gene Ween fronts Umphrey's at Summer Camp 5/22/15

In one of most anticipated attractions of this year's festival, Aaron Freeman, aka Gene Ween, slipped into front man role for one of Umphrey's McGee's three sets at Summer Camp. And yes, it was called *gulp* GODBONER.I might get some shit for this, but for those like me who enjoy UM's playing but are...

Setlist / Full Show Video | Brendan Bayliss @ Tonic Room 5/11/15

Umphrey's McGee's Brendan Bayliss treated hometown fans to a rare Monday night solo and acoustic gig at Tonic Room. The two sets featured highlights from the Umphrey's catalog, a sit-in from an old friend (Michelle Hallman), some classic and modern rock covers and even an new song that is still unnamed. Bayliss read the lyrics...

Album Reviews | April 2015 Releases

Umphreys McGee- The London Session [4/7]Recorded in a single day at the famed Abbey Road Studio 2, The London Session finds Umphreys in top form. Perhaps it was due to the historic space or the pressure of time constraints, but the songs on The London Session are Umphreys best studio tracks in years, the record combining...

Setlist / Video | Brendan Bayliss & Jake Cinninger Acoustic Holiday Show @ Park West 12/12/14

Another year, another Chicago holiday celebration for the Umphrey's principals. This year Brendan and Jake's charity event benefited The Mikey Fund, in honor of former UM drummer Mike Mirro. Bandmates Joel Cummins and Kris Myers joined for a few tunes, before their late night gig closing the chapter on their tenure with Digital Tape Machine....

Setlist / Video: Umphrey's McGee @ Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL 7/25/14

Umphrey's McGee played their first ever show at the long-standing "wine-and-cheese" venue Ravinia Festival in Highland Park last night. The set featured an acoustic interlude, including a lengthy "In The Kitchen", a cover of Toto's "Africa" and the closing of both the second set and the encore with a string quartet sit-in.Here's the full...