I have been getting better about buying show tickets as soon as they go on presale. You’ve got to lock that shit down as soon as you can! There’s a certain rush that you feel when you get that confirmation email saying, “You’re going to Umprhey’s McGee!” But then I always forget that I have to wait for long periods of time because presale happens many months before the actual show. The real challenge is not getting the tickets fast enough, it’s keeping yourself occupied for the long months of waiting. It’s keeping yourself from having your mind consumed in thoughts of what songs they’re going to play or what dance moves you’re going to do if they play the song you want. A lot of umphreaks that I know like to have a solid hold on their tickets for the future. So, when the day came to buy the tickets, I set an alarm for myself on my phone. I was at work and once the alarm rang, I had to excuse myself to the bathroom so I could fiercely lock down my New Year’s Eve four-night-run pass.
My phreaks and I had fun planning the weekend out. It was going to be my usual Umphrey’s crew, Wallace, Jared, Sam and I. Our friend Garrett was going to join us for day two, only doing three out of the four nights. We got our Air Bnb set, our traveling plans in line, and our timing all mapped out with about a week to go. With our rage-filled future ahead of us, we allowed ourselves to finally experience full excitement. My road trip started the afternoon of the 27th. I finished up work and was immediately on my way to Richmond to gather up Sam and Wallace. Our next stop was in Clemson, South Carolina to pick up Jared and rest up for the night. We fell asleep with the intentions of sleeping in and taking our time to get to Atlanta because check-in wasn’t until four. But being the little kids that we are, we sprang out of bed and couldn’t wait to set sail for a weekend that we would never forget.
We made it into Atlanta around two. Leaving us some time to explore and grocery shop. We made a pit stop at Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q for some quick grub and beers. There, we ate the most incredible chicken wings and a pretty bitchin lunch full of all sorts of barbequed meats and sides. We drank a few beers and really started getting into our partyin’ peeps mode. Once we finally got into the Air Bnb that we were going to be staying at for the next four days, we really didn’t have much time to spare until we needed to be at the venue. We practically leapt out the door and into our Uber. We underestimated the power of the freaks and were pushed to the back of the line that wrapped around the block (it was our first New Year’s run after all). But once the doors opened and the bodies started moving, I felt some of my anxiety melt away.
After grabbing our very first cans of Nothing Too Fancy Pale Ale, we stepped our way into church. This was my first-time stepping foot into the Tabernacle theater. I’ve heard countless positive things about the venue. Like it has some of the best acoustics that the south has to offer. The first thing I noticed when I walked onto the floor were the very large organ pipes lining the rear of the stage. Then I looked up and turned around. Beauty became my eyes as I jumped from one thing to the next. There is definitely not a lack of paintings on the walls to look at. And the stained glass created a beautiful aura. I then looked around to all the faces of the freaks that I haven’t seen since October. Suddenly I was giving out hugs left and right and was finally feeling that warmth of umph love that we all know and cherish. We were finally here. The months of waiting was over, and we were ready to have our faces melted off. I always go into shows with a long list of songs that I want to see. But I always seem to forget that it’s not about what you want to hear, its about what you need to hear.
Southern Avenue was opening for them the first night, which I wasn’t going to miss. They stole my heart once again with their set. They played some songs I hadn’t heard before. And, of course, I made my way over to the friends I made out on tour when Southern Avenue was first opening up for Umphrey’s so we could reminisce in the music together. I think that the crowd at the Tabby was the largest crowd that they’ve played as openers for Umphrey’s. They absolutely crushed it and left us wanting more. But I think we were all content knowing that the boys were about to come on stage. The period of waiting was filled with laugher and hoots and hollers. The crowd grew larger and the reality of the weekend really started to sink in. I needed to buckle up because I was about to be taken on a musical ride that would, for sure, rock my world.
Dump city was the perfect way to kick things off because, as much as I enjoyed my time there, Atlanta is somewhat of a dump. It was also, a powerful start to the weekend. They took a slower approach to the tempo in order to nail each note. And while doing this, Jake was able to go ham on his axe and really give the crowd a taste of what was instore for the weekend. The transitions that they pulled off in the first set were superb. They fell right into “Out of Order” and then sexily eased into “Higgins.” This rendition of “Higgins” had many soothing tones that allowed me to cool down from the sauna that was the Tabernacle. I was mesmerized by all the sounds coming out of this jam.
With another flawless transition, they went into the crowd favorite, “August.” This song was debuted at their fourth show ever played as a band. It gives me immediate goosebumps because I think about the years that this song has seen and all the incredible improv that has come out of this one song. This jam at the Tabernacle was funky and Brendan and Jake played sort of a call and answer between their guitars. It was a powerful, rock n’ roll jam. It had a nice down beat that tickled my toes, causing me to break out some well-deserved dance moves. Jake used dissonance when contrasting with Bayliss’ undertones that caused for a haunting tone. Then Kris led them back into the melody and everyone helped sing Bayliss’ right into his solo. They slowed down to ease into the next song which caused chills down my spine because as soon as I heard the bubbliness of the bass, I knew what song they were about to play.
I turned to Jared and said, “BLUE ECHO!!” This song is always a pleasant surprise. It already makes me feel like I’m under water but the jam that was created here heightened this feeling. It might have helped that Waful created the essence with blues and purples. The drawn-out tone of the song kept the audience on the edges of their metaphorical seats. They lengthened section A and then plunged into section B, speeding the tempo up. They usually use this technique, but it was exaggerated in Atlanta. They all had fun and took their time playing with the sounds of their instruments before settling into the very calming and beautiful second part of the jam. This jam definitely made my hall of fame votes for 2018. They wrapped up the first set with “In the Black.” A song that used to be a rarity before it made its appearance on “It’s You.” I like this song and it was tastefully put into the set list.
My group and I looked at each other and decided that we were all so hot that we were about to pass out. Plus, we hadn’t explored the theater in its entirety yet. So, we made our way to the top balcony to grab some seats before the second set started. As soon as we got up there, we all felt 100 times better because we could actually breathe and there were no fucked up people falling all over us. We were so ready for the second set which they sent off flying with a strong “Bridgeless.” Stasik sank right into the rhythm of the jam. He gave a nice, rhythmic floor for the others to base the jam off of. And then with the drop of the high-hat cymbal, they jumped into one of my favorite um classics, “Example One.” This song provides that laid back feeling that I love from them. The jam sounded effortless and funky. Joel created some full tones on the keys.
A song that ALWAYS brings down the house is “40’s Theme.” (this came right on time because of the chicken wings and BBQ that we had earlier in the day.) Poor Jake can’t always remember the words in the correct order of the song. But Joel crushed this 40’s. His comforting chords mixed perfectly with Bayliss which created a funky dance party up in the rafters of the theater. This started to make my heart warm but what happened next made my spirits soar. They went strongly into “Much Obliged.” I remember dancing and singing like no body else was in the room. I always liked this song, but I needed this perfect jam to boost my love for it. I’ve never really felt a spark during this song before, but I was having a change of heart in this moment. It’s amazing what music can do for my soul. Literal tears formed in my eyes, I didn’t know how much I needed to hear this. It just kept getting better. The jam was purely uplifting and built up to a beautiful peak. Just as I thought that this set couldn’t get any better, they dropped “Wife Soup” on our asses. Joel played the shit out of that song. He really put his back into it. He put some real Joel love into that solo. They knocked us out with back to back classics which almost made me have to sit down in my seat. But what happened next quickly lifted me back up.
The way that they went into “Time” was one of the coolest things I’ve ever witnessed live. They filled the stage with smoke and as the boys hit the first powerful note of the song, the lights on the new circular fixture all pointed to the center of the stage and shined bright gold. Everyone in the Tabernacle stood up and started cheering. As if I needed more goosebumps added to my body! Everyone sang along with the band. The acoustics, even though I was sitting in the back, were phenomenal. You can hear everyone singing at the tops of their lungs (like I was) in the recording. Kris nailed the drum section of this song. Both Jake and Brendan sounded great vocally. This is one Pink Floyd song that they cover exceptionally. They don’t play it as often as the other Floyd covers that they do but that just makes it more special when you get one.
The only way to cap off that classic of a show was with the all time classic, “In the Kitchen.” They started this mystical melody out of the jam and they slowly started to tease the Christmas tune, “Carol of the Bells.” As they drifted further into the jam I looked up and saw tiny specks of white trickling from the ceiling. Sam and I looked at each other at the same time and said, “is that snow?!” And, sure as shit, as to add more magic to the night, it was snowing in the Tabernacle. Umphrey’s made it snow in the Tabernacle! Truly a magical experience. It was a chilling yet funky jam. Stasik was pumped up in the second set and encore. He maintained the solid ground for the others to build on throughout the whole set. In the swing of the jam I heard a specific tune. Those sly bastards were teasing “The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats. It was so tasteful and felt like a classic um jam that touches your soul and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. They closed out the show by ending “Bridgeless.” All I could say to my friends was ‘wow, how are they going to top that?’ Because yes, the show looked standard on paper, but the jams were extraordinary.
As we were leaving, floating through the sea of umphreaks, we started to talk about what we just witnessed. Without the new songs that were on the setlist, that show could have easily been something out of 2008. All of the improv was sublime. And the song choices were even better. Even though the first night seemed to be all Bayliss picks, I read on the Facebook group that each night’s set list was crafted by all the boys together, something that they’ve never done before. The whole show was so good but only just the beginning of a weekend full of jaw dropping moments. They were also getting into the special effects with the fog machines, the light fixture and the snow. Early in the first set, there was so much smoke on the stage that Bayliss pretended to disappear under it. They were having fun on the stage and I love to see that. We discussed our highlights and then the boys got into an Uber to go back home and Sam and I got into an Uber to go to the after party with Doom Flamingo.
Doom Flamingo is always a blast. I always have such a dance party at their shows. Its amazing how, even after getting my face melted off (literally with all the sweat), I still can dance the way I do at their shows. Their music does that to me. It gives me energy. That’s something special that they have. I always like to support new bands, good or bad, but it’s not hard to love these guys. They are a synth wave, grungy funk band out of Charleston, South Carolina. The lead singer, Kanika Moore offers her angelic voice as a coat over this incredible orchestra of musicians. She steals the show in more ways than one. Her outfits are always a show in themselves and her sensual dance moves make all the boys want her and all the girls want to be her. Mike Quinn makes his tenor sax squeal by just looking at it and takes the band to higher levels with his sexy notes. The added bonus of the horn throws their sound over the edge. Ross Bogan sends the crowd down a long road on the coast of the beach at sunset with his intriguing synth sounds. Thomas Kenney brings down the house with those ever so tasty guitar riffs and Stu White provides a beat that I always want to tap my feet to. And of course, Ryan Stasik on the pink doom bass tops it all off. He is able to explore different musical languages and show off his talents with Doom Flamingo. They bring a certain type of funk to the covers that they do that you just won’t find anywhere else. If you ever have the chance to see Doom Flamingo play live, I strongly suggest that you go.
Coming home after raging four sets of music was like heaven on Earth. It was fun to have somewhat of a girl’s night with Sam. Doom was the perfect way to pull that off. We both love Doom Flamingo and can sing along with the songs. We had a well needed dance party and then went home and did yoga and went to bed. It’s hard to get a good night’s sleep during multiple night runs like these. If you’re anything like me, then you have trouble sleeping because of the excitement bubbling inside of you. It’s also hard to sleep well when you’re in a different place than you’re used to. But getting a solid night of sleep is vital during these times because you need to stay fresh and energetic. Umphrey’s takes a lot out of you an its important to rest between shows (mom rant over). We all went to bed hungry for more music. But lucky for us, we still had three more jam-packed days.
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