Umphrey’s McGee Brought Their Uncommon, Fabulous Sound to The Pageant (Again)

— by Carrie Zukoski

Umphrey’s McGee treated Umphreaks to their eclectic prog/jazz/rock/jam fusion sound during their nearly 3-hour two-set concert at The Pageant in St. Louis on a cold January 22.

The Chicago-based band brought their all to the stage on the seventh night of their 36-city winter Sky’s The Limit tour.

Since the band formed in December of 1997, they have amassed a devoted following (for instance, one of the Umphreaks at this concert came in from Nashville to attend his 241st UM concert since 2013–a sticker of his face is even affixed to bassist Ryan Stasik’s pedal board). UM attributes part of their success to being available to fans even pre-social media. In fact, their latest studio album (number 15), Blueprint, was created through fan interaction.

But if you’re into UM at all, you already know about all of that. And Umphreaks know much more than this concert photographer ever will about their beloved band. Let’s just say the lore is rich and deep, and sites such as All Things Umphreys can help you understand the depth and breadth of this band’s influence during the past nearly 30 years.

On this 23rd time they’ve performed at The Pageant, Umphrey’s McGee brought big lights and big sound that ebbed and flowed, bringing fans to a frenzy. The energy pulsated and pushed throughout the night, and the crowd responded from the opening number “Bathing Digits” to the final encore of a cover of The Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).”

If you’ve never seen them live and are into jammy/fusion concerts, then put this one on your must-see list, you won’t be disappointed.

Setlist: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/umphreys-mcgee/2026/the-pageant-st-louis-mo-334e6075.html

See the many more photos here: https://bit.ly/Umphreys26cz