Umphrey’s McGree returned to Meijer Gardens for a weekend-ending spectacle, the day after Greensky Bluegrass finished a bluegrass stint at Interlochen. And two bands rocked a new Kalamazoo venue. Photos.
On Their Feet: The crowd at Meijer Gardens embraced Umphrey’s McGee for three hours. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
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From Interlochen to Grand Rapids, jam fans got a heavy dose of instrumental wizardry over the weekend.
Michigan’s own Greensky Bluegrass unleashed two nights of progressive bluegrass charm at Interlochen Center for the Arts’ Kresge Auditorium, even bringing another Michigan favorite — May Erlewine — on stage at one point Friday for a crowd-energizing guest spot.
And Sunday night’s return of Umphrey’s McGee to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park proved to be a dream show on the heavier side for fans of the Chicago band that melds prog-rock, jazz, funk and other elements into its attack.
Considering the nearly three-hour show, it’s only apropos that Umphrey’s McGee started and ended things with 2011’s “All In Time,” weaving the likes of “Uncle Wally,” “Great American,” “Bridgeless,” “Utopian Fir” and more into the first set alone. The second set included “Mantis” and “The Weight Around,” with the band launching its encore with a version of The Who’s “Eminence Front.”
Lengthy Jams: Umphrey’s McGee (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
The concert started amid bright sunshine and the warmth of summer and finished under the stars with a fall-like feel in the air with psychedelic lighting enhancing the scene. The crowd was on its feet and dancing much of the night.
“I heard more than one person say this show reminded them of something saved for Illinois’ Summer Camp Music Festival, with that festival on hiatus. This was their Summer Camp,” said Local Spins photographer Derek Ketchum. “Countless people were saying this was one of the best shows they have seen all summer long.”
Meanwhile, in Kalamazoo, Glow Hall — which took over the space downtown that once was occupied by Final Gravity Brewing — hosted an all-ages show Friday night featuring the shoegaze band Vida Eterna, along with Blood at Ease. View photos from all of these shows below.
And check out separate Local Spins recaps and photo galleries from The War and Treaty at Albion’s Walk the Beat, as well as Grand Rapids’ Return to the River Festival and the debut of the Small Foreign Festival.
PHOTO GALLERY: Umphrey’s McGee at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Derek Ketchum
SET LIST: Umphrey’s McGee at Meijer Gardens via Setlist.fm
PHOTO GALLERY: Greensky Bluegrass at Interlochen
Photos by Anna Sink and Steve Baran
PHOTO GALLERY: Vida Eterna, Blood at Ease at Glow Hall
Photos by Derek Ketchum
