Photo and Review by Sarah Smith
Concert photos HERE
The six band members of Umphrey’s McGee stepped onto the State’s dark stage as the crowd grew with excitement. A heavy, strong bass filled the room, vibrating through the floor and the walls and tying each attending guest together with the same feeling of mutual passion. Purple lighting illuminated them as they picked up their instruments and eased right in the beginning of the first of two sets that evening. They opened with Nipple Trix and all though there were only eight songs in the first set, Umphrey’s created a large atmosphere; it felt like their music was everlasting. It was all your senses being overloaded, in an intoxicating atmosphere. They jammed long and hard, at times you could even see their eyes close as they smiled whimsically to themselves.
The lighting filled the room, often colorful and vibrant then suddenly dark and obscure. These visual effects worked magic with Umphrey’s sound that evening; occasionally sounding majestic and light then switching immediately to heavy and overloaded with bass. Listeners seemed to enjoy this sort of shock they were being sent through, as they all had no problem keeping up. The dancing simply never ended. As a jam band, Umphrey’s made no real effort to interact with their guests that evening, just a simple hello then constant jamming. There was a fantastic balance between lead guitarists Jake Cinninger and Brendan Bayliss. As part of the jam band scene, I expected more Phish-like sound but I could tell immediately they’ve been influenced by Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin. What I loved most about my experience with Umphrey’s was the constant surprise and the unknown of what would happen next. Every person in that room found an escape that night, through the atmosphere which was created with fantastic stage lighting, strong bass notes, and dancing which never ended. Not a single person woke up the next morning feeling like themselves, oh no. Umphrey’s found a way into your veins and flushed their way permanently into the heart of your soul.
What I loved most about my experience with Umphrey’s was the constant surprise and the unknown of what would happen next. Every person in that room found an escape that night, through the atmosphere which was created with fantastic stage lighting, strong bass notes, and dancing which never ended. Not a single person woke up the next morning feeling like themselves, oh no. Umphrey’s found a way into your veins and flushed their way permanently into the heart of your soul.
Umphrey's McGee at the State Theatre – Portland, ME
