Since 1998 Umphreys Mcgee has been turning heads, and getting in the grimy spots of what is so called “jam” music, and changing Rock as we know it.  On July 3^rd 2011 with new intros, songs, and fans this was no ordinary show. This marked the 2^nd annual Red Rocks and Blue event held in Morrison Colorado at Red Rocks Theater. I had never been there before until this date, and let me tell you, if there is one place that will take your breath away and leave you stunned its Red Rocks. With its heady view from the top, and historical background this is one place you need to see a show.

When the lights dimmed the Um bowl 2 intro started to play, and the crowed went crazy with cheers. I saw nothing but smiles, high fives, and hugs everywhere. Chills even ran through my bones for the 116^th time in an anxious state to see what the first song would be. Sure enough a huge crowd favorite Bridgeless was the song to set the pace. Ripping, and tearing only half way through the song they decided to change it up a bit, and slap us with a rarely heard Professor Wormbog.  After an umbelievable professor the rest of the set was a new song/old song battle, and first up was the newest monster of a piece Called Puppet Strings. With great lyrics, and tight sounds from all members it was to no surprise that all the umphreaks in the crowd already knew the words to it, and were belting it out, incredible, because most heard the song for the first time memorial day weekend at summer camp music fest. Hurt Bird Bath was next up the plate. It really raised the bar for the rest of the show. With insane drums, and keys this had so much energy it jammed on for about 20 minuets. After we took a long bath we went sliding Deeper into the set, and grabbed the Plunger. Half way through the song we were blessed with a treat, another new song called No Comment. Shortly after that they pulled the Plunger one last time to end the set and leave everyone in a haze during the 15 min break. 

Returning to the stage with a Nipple trix into, Umphreys Mcgee played the always stellar, Division. Lost about the way we get to see Jeff Waful for the first time of the evening paint the rocks, with his magical lights, and strobes, it defiantly left us needing more, and showcased that this 7 headed monster (Jeff included in the band) is not even close to finished with what they started 13 years ago, and showed us that things are about to get Umphreakingmcgeevable in years to come. Also during this beautiful piece of music we get to hear a brief tease of Third Stone from the sun. By Jimi Hendrix. After a Very long, but deserved Divisions, another new song Forks, was thrown into this already amazing set. Playing to perfection the Forks had been set down, and the horns of Curtis Fowlkes, and Jennifer Hill from Easy Star where brought out for an epic Sledgehammer Cover. Red Tape >Jimmy Stewart> Red tape Showed us more of what we all love. A classic song with jaw dropping improves in the middle. To finish up the second set Um threw everything they had at us Day nurse> Hajimemashite, a picture perfect ending which included a dance party with more lights than I have ever seen them use, and spine tingling lyrics by the always Goldbond medicated Brendan Bayliss.

The end of the show was here, and to end every great rock show you need a great Encore Right… Right! Release by Pearl Jam was the song to kick off the encore. With hitting every key so flawlessly Brendan Bayliss once again showed us all he really has one hell of a voice, and has an unbeatable range of talent. This song touched people so much I saw one fan with his eyes closed singing so loud he forgot he was on a step, and fell off. The cover was over, and now the final song was to come what would it be. Yeah you guessed it they came back to finish the beast called Bridgeless, and with everything running on all cylinders, the lights, the band, the crowed, Red Rocks was filled with a roaring energy that defiantly celebrated our nations independence in great style. With all this said Umphreys seems like they will stop at nothing to raise the bar, to make their fans happy, and always leave them needing more!

First set- Jazz Odyssey > Bridgeless > Professor Wormbog, Puppet Strings, Hurt Bird Bath, Deeper > Plunger > No Comment > Plunger

Second set-Nipple Trix > Divisions*, Forks, Sledgehammer^, Red Tape > "Jimmy Stewart" > Red Tape, Day Nurse, Hajimemashite