_Keith Griner_

Umphrey’s McGee continued their New Year’s run at a new venue as the scene shifted to the Aragon Ballroom, across the street from the Riviera Theatre where they played previously.

Among the highlights are a new original debut dubbed “North Route,” which appeared in the first set and led into the end of the “Nothing Too Fancy” started on the previous evening. The tune marks the next in a long line of originals debuted by the band this year, with drummer Kris Myers noting recently in an interview that the new sound may take them back to their progressive rock days. “A little more classic progressive,” Myers noted. “I can tell you it’s definitely more rock, a little less of the dancier grooves but it’s definitely fun and danceable but it’s progressive in nature.”

Another highlight in the first set came at the end, when the band covered Rage Against the Machine’s “Bombtrack” for just the third time ever and first since 2011. The cover dates back to 2008 and disappeared for three years after that before returning in Philadelphia at the Electric Factory.

The cover-less second set featured more of the band’s heaviest hitters, starting with arguably their most metal-tinged song, “The Floor.” From there, the hometown sextet dipped into older tunes “Much Obliged,” “Hurt Bird Bath” and “Slacker” along with relatively new tracks “Conduit,” “1348” and “Miami Virtue.” A standalone “JaJunk” encore brought the night to a close.

Umphrey’s returns to the Aragon tonight.

Here’s a look at the setlist as it appears in our Box Scores section:

Umphrey’s McGee
Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL

Set I: Mulche’s Odyssey*, Speak Up> Anchor Drops, Phil’s Farm, North Route^ > Nothing Too Fancy (End)^^, Walletsworth> Kula, Bombtrack^^^

Set II: The Floor, Much Obliged > Hurt Bird Bath, Conduit, 1348 > Slacker, Miami Virtue > 1348

Enc: JaJunk

Notes:
*with Dopeman (N.W.A.) quote
^debut, original
^^Completes 12/29/16
^^^with Dave Watts on drums, Kris on vocal, Last time played 1/29/11

Source: http://allthings.umphreys.com/