This is it

So, this was it, the day had finally arrived. We were all ready to experience our first Umprhey’s New Year’s Eve show. Three sets of the best music in the world were about to blow our minds. With eleven sets of music in our pockets, you would think that we would be ready to head home. But we’re a special group. We’re always pining for the next chance that we can get to experience live music. I couldn’t think of a better group of people to do this with. We get our faces melted off completely. We get so tired from raging so hard that we laugh until we pee ourselves. But we always keep smiles on our faces and are hungry for more. Because were happy to be here. I love this band and all that it has brought to me. The people that I have met along the way have grown like family to me and I wouldn’t give it up for the world.

To get in the spirit of bringing in the new year, we all brought out our funkiest pieces of clothing. There was fur, velvet, so many different patterns and of course, sequins. Joels tweets from earlier on in the day were pumping us up for the show. He had said that they played two hundred and ninety four songs in the year 2018 and that maybe with one night left of the run they could make it three hundred. We immediately started looking into songs that they haven’t played in 2018 yet. Before we knew it, it was time to leave for the last night of the weekend!

We had purchased tickets for early entry this night to secure that we would have the best spots on the floor that we could get for the show. It was our last night after all, we had to make it count. We were about to endure three sets of Umprhey’s McGee and some of Mad Dog’s Filthy Little Secret. Mad Dog’s Filthy Little Secret is a four-piece horn section that consists of Michael "Mad Dog" Mavridoglou on trumpet, Jeff Coffin on saxophone, Chris Ott on trombone, and Josh Quinlan also on saxophone. Some shit was about to go down inside the Tabernacle Theater.

The ever so anticipated show started off strong with “The Silent Type.” Everyone in the room was singing the lyrics. Now those are some dedicated Umphrey’s fans considering that this song is fairly new. This just made my mood at the beginning of the show (which was already high) sky rocket through the roof of the Tabernacle. I knew then that I was in for a night of laughing, crying, and singing my heart out. They accompanied this silent type with a very cooling jam. They eased their way back into the end of the song and then let Joel’s amazing organ playing lead us into “Walletsworth.” This low-key classic came right on time. They were easing us into an unforgettable night. Joel gets a chance to show off his skills in the end of this beauty.

My mind went in a couple different directions when they started playing “Cemetery Walk II.” I have never witnessed a “Cemetery Walk II” without “Cemetery Walk” leading into it. But I was intrigued, and my ears were wide open. Stasik laid down a mean beat that the boys each took turns adding a symphonic layer to. This jam turned into a head spinning, incredible jewel. I was in awe just watching it unfold. Joel was doing this really catchy, mellifluous rhythm that Jake answered with a couple dance-worthy riffs. It held my attention the whole time and even gave me some goosebumps. I couldn’t wait to relisten at home and totally have a dance party with myself while cleaning my kitchen. It had everything. A great jump into a funky, dance party and then a soaring, uplifting crescendo into the end of the song. It was all around, aesthetically pleasing. They ended it by going into “Cemetery Walk.” They took us on a backwards trip and sent my mind through a loop. It was awesome to see them mixing it up.

They kept it rolling with the melodic piano tunes with “Xmas at Wartime.” I recently learned that this song is about Jakes grandparents in WW2. When I find out the real meaning behind these songs that I listen to on a day to day basis, it makes them much more special to me. My heart strings were being tugged on big time during this next tune. My eyes got really wide when I heard Jake strum the beginning of “Roundabout” by Yes. They haven’t played this since 6/28/15, giving it a three hundred and twelve show gap. A couple months ago I remember reading a post in the Facebook group about a guy who was bringing his mother to the New Year’s show and his mother had a terminal illness. His mother’s favorite song was “Roundabout” by Yes and he was trying to get in touch with someone who could possibly get in contact with the band and request to play this and surprise his mom. Well, I guess he got through, because they busted it out for her. When they started to play it, I remembered that story and I started to smile. That was such a touching thing for the band to do for him. It’s always good to know that, when you’re going through a rough time, your favorite band will always provide some ease and light in your life. I can’t imagine how that man and his mother felt after hearing that.

I remember when they started to play “Roctopus” Wallace and I kept looking at each other. We had said (more like wished) a few times that “Nether” was going to be debuted this weekend. The end of “Roctopus” is the beginning of “Nether” so we were thinking that they would just go straight into it. Our wishful thinking failed to be true, but I will always welcome a “Roctopus.” After only playing it twice in 2017, they came back with it strong in mid-2018 and played it seven times last year (I received four out of the seven). The first set ended, and we patiently waited their return.

They opened the second set with an inciting “Draconian.” It started out mysterious and then had a heroic upbringing. It was like a story to me. It sounded almost as if the beginning of the jam was the super villains initial strike and the build up to the end was the super hero saving the day. This is why I love Umphrey’s jams, because they tell me a story and keep me interested. There is never a dull moment. When they brought up Mad Dogs Filthy Little Secret to play Weather Report’s “River People,” I knew that they were about to bring out all the stops. They’ve only played this one other time on their new years run in 2013. 12/29/13 giving it a four hundred and eighty show gap. This gave a smooth vibe to the crowd which made going into “Whistle Kids” sound perfect.

I felt sorry for whomever was standing in front of me because I immediately started head banging when they started to play “Gents.” This was my first ever “Gents” and she was a good one. They hadn’t played it since 6/3/17. After that bust out, they kept the show dark by going into “Looks.” During the jam, a familiar tease made its presence known. They dove head first into “Dr. Feelgood” by Mötley Crüe. We had gotten this earlier in the year in Charleston and I have been listening to various versions of Umphrey’s slaying this song ever since. But they didn’t stop there, during “Dr. Feelgood” they kept the rock alive by teasing “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. I was deeply submerged in this rock and roll universe that I never wanted to leave.

They invited the horns back on stage to debut “Fat Man in the Bathtub” by Little Feat. I had noticed that they were playing Little Feat songs during one of the set breaks of the earlier nights so maybe it was foreshadowing this debut. This is the first Little Feat song that they have ever played! When I heard this song, I immediately thought of my Uncle Rico. He showed me Little Feat. Well, not actually showed me them because I had known about them, but I didn’t really start to listen to them until he told me to. I had a smile on my face the whole time during this song and I couldn’t wait to tell him that they played it. Especially because he always makes fun of me and my love for Umprhey’s.

They kept the horns out to close the set. They played an impeccably smooth “Comma Later” that sounded real sexy with the horns. The set ended with a cover of Miles Davis’ “It’s About That Time.” They hadn’t played this jazz staple since 3/17/17. I actually took a class on Miles Davis in college. He was a real interesting, one-of-a-kind musician. Umphrey’s has played six covers of Miles Davis’ songs and I was thrilled that I got to get one. It was like two aspects of my life coming together. Miles’ discography is in the triple digits because he loved to collaborate with so many different artists, kind of like how Umphrey’s likes to do. I mean, they don’t have albums with other artists, but they are always on the look out for talented musicians to work and make their art with.

The second set break seemed to take forever because we were so anxious to ring in the new year. Jared went around asking everyone what their new year’s resolutions were, so we talked about our goals to fill the time. The reality of only having one more set of music sank in right before the boys came back on stage. I of course didn’t want the weekend to end but I’m so incredibly thankful that it happened and that I had the opportunity to do this with the people that I love and the band that I love. I was overwhelmed with so many different feelings but then the lights went down, and I thought to myself ‘here we go!’

They opened the final set with “Hurt Bird Bath.” It was mystifying and had a reggae vibe to it. Joel added some enchanting synth notes to it. Then it escalated to a slow paced rager. When hbb ended, I looked at my phone and saw that is was 11:46. I thought to myself, ‘Ok this is it, this is the last song before the new year.’ “Attachments” started, and my heart almost stopped. I was super aware of every note they were playing and everything going on around me. The horns snuck back on and joined in the funky and suspenseful jam. They were really putting on the suspense of the countdown coming. When Bayliss started to get us ready for the countdown my heart jumped into my throat. I looked around to everybody to just capture the moment. The calm before the storm. I took a moment to look at all the faces of the people that have traveled a long way for this moment (including myself). As soon as the countdown was over, balloons of gold, silver and white descended from the ceiling and I was surrounded with hugging and kissing and tears of joy. People that I had just met that day took time to come hug me and wish me a happy new year. I looked back to my best friends in the whole world with an ecstatic look on my face. Time literally felt like it was going in slow motion as I hugged each one of them. This was the moment we were all waiting for. This was an extremely special moment and I don’t think that I would’ve rather been anywhere else.

It was like Umphrey’s was saying to the crowd (through song) to forget our attachments in 2018 and focus on our resolutions for 2019 because the first song that they played in 2019 was “Resolution.” It was a great soaring and uplifting jam. It had a very funky and bouncy rhythm before starting to go back into the “In the Kitchen” that they started but never finished on night one. I thought that was so clever of them to start the song in 2018 and end it in 2019. I’ve also always wondered if they would ever do this. When I started going to shows more often and noticed what a jam sandwich was, I wondered if they would ever start a song at the beginning of the run and then not end it until the last day of the run. So, it was cool to have that thought that I never shared with anyone become a reality. I’m not sure if they’ve ever done this before so if anybody knows if they did, please tell me!

They ended “In the Kitchen” with an immense amount of energy which the crowd fed on. And I needed it for the next song which just so happened to be “Kula.” Whenever they play “Kula,” I try to make some room around myself for my head banging activities. This song rages. This is a great song to just party to and go crazy or get out some pent-up anger inside of you. I was lucky enough to get three out of the four “Kulas” that were played in 2018. The horns joined in once again to help play “Booth Love.” This is one of those songs that gets you into Umphrey’s. It’s, for sure, a crowd favorite. The horns aided in the funky, sensual tone that the song already holds. They teased “Carol of the Bells” again and with them doing that, paired with the ending of “In the Kitchen,” I felt like the whole weekend was coming to a full circle. The jam eventually formed into an amusing dance party. They ended the set with a debut of “What You Need” by INXS and we got to sop up some more of Kris’ vocals. I thought this was funny because Bayliss is always preaching that it’s not what you want to hear, it’s what you need to hear. And then, just like that, in the blink of an eye, the final set was over.

The band decided to change things up a bit with the encore. The lights came on up in the upper right-hand balcony, revealing Mad Dog’s Filthy Little Secret. The four horns challenged the boys to a duel and allowed the audience to decide who would win. The horns started off with “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller and the band bounced back with “The Ocean” by Led Zeppelin (only playing the intros of the songs of course). They went on to battle with “Voodoo Child” by Jimi Hendrix (Horns), “So Fresh, So Clean” by Outkast (Umphrey’s), Donna Lee by Charlie Parker (Horns), and Um won the duel with “Unskinny Bop” by Poison. This was really cool to see each group having fun and experimenting, although with every song I only wished more and more that they would actually go into the whole song.

When the duel was over, it was only the boys left on stage. They played “Hajimemashite” which is a song that each and every umphreak loves for their own individual reasons. They closed out the show with “Detroit Rock City” by Kiss. There were some real rock anthems being thrown around this weekend. but Joel sang this one and absolutely crushed it. They always have to end a run like this with a nice banger. Which is fitting because they are a rock and roll band. The best in my opinion.

With sad, but full hearts, we left the Tabernacle for the final time that weekend. Weaving our way through the phreaks, I ran into some familiar faces and got to say goodbye to many friends that I had the privilege of seeing this weekend. All I could say was “holy shit, what a weekend.” I could not have asked for a better experience. I was in a room for four nights that was filled with so much love and magic. The music was absolute fire and my mind was blown in more ways than I could write for you. When we arrived back home to the Air Bnb, we made food and tried to watch a movie. I think we all didn’t want it to be over so we tried to stay up as late as we could to make it last just a little bit longer. Leaving Georgia was bittersweet. I had the time of my life and didn’t want to leave, but I know that I’ll be back someday.

Everything from the weekend exceeded my expectations. The Tabernacle was stunning, not only in appearance, but with it’s sound as well. The acoustics in that place made the audience cheering sound like the Chicago Mass Choir warming up (not to say that us phreaks sound nearly as angelic as a professional choir). The sound reverberated off the stained glass and created an echo that still rings inside my head today. The people inside the Tabernacle were pouring out amazing energy and love. And then there’s the music. We all know that Umphrey’s can bring the heat. But what they did at the Tabernacle in Atlanta Georgia on 12/28/18-1/1/19, my first Umphrey’s McGee New Year’s Eve run, is something that I will never forget.