Over the weekend, Umphrey’s McGee guitarists Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger performed an acoustic gig in Chicago at the Vic Theater as a benefit for USTORM. While the pair offered up a number of UM compositions, including ‘Nothing Too Fancy,’ ‘Plunger’ and ‘In the Kitchen,’ they also delivered a range of covers. The two interpreted material by such artists as The Beatles (an apt ‘Two of Us’), Paul Simon (‘Under African Skies’), Blind Faith (‘Can’t Find My Way Home’), Led Zeppelin (‘That’s the Way’) and Bob Seger (‘Night Moves’). A couple of their bandmates appeared as well, with percusssionist Andy Farag contributing to a few of the Umphrey’s songs as well as ‘Under African Skies,’ and drummer Kris Myers in on the pass from ‘In The Kitchen’ to ‘Night Moves’ and then ‘In The Kitchen.’ Lighting designer Adam Budney also chimed on vocals for a cover of Beck’s ‘Pay No Mind.’ Drummer Steve Krojniewski, Cinninger’s longtime Ali Baba’s Tahini bandmate, also participated throughout the night. Jen Hartswick, who was in town for a gig the next evening at Kinetic Playground (where Myers joined her on drums throughout her show), lent her voice to ‘Under African Skies’ and ‘Bullhead.’

Next up for Umphrey’s McGee is Caribbean Holidaze later this week.