Fresh from their performance onboard the Jam Cruise, Illinois prog-rockers Umphrey’s McGee are heading to New York, from Jan. 16-18, for their first three-night performance since 2008.
“We’ve got a couple of special things planned for [the New York performances],” said Umphrey’s McGee keyboardist Joel Cummins. “It’s always the highlight of the year for us.”
Apart from kicking off the first leg of their winter tour with two performances at the Beacon Theatre in New York City (on Jan. 16-17) and one at the Paramount in Huntington (on Jan. 18), Umphrey’s McGee enlisted saxophone player Josh Redman, who Cummins said earned the title as the honorary “seventh member” of the band for his versatility and overall performance with the group.
“The New-York Metropolitan area is not the easiest to get around,” Cummins said, explaining why the band decided to play on Long Island. “We heard many comments that we should come to Huntington… we figure, this way people can come to all three nights.”
Cummins also said that among the 300 different cover songs in the band’s rotation, there is a chance that Umphrey’s may perform something they haven’t played in a long time.
“Our covers are just the icing on the cake,” Cummins said. “We’re a bit of an acquired taste, so our covers tend to be a good gateway drug to the sound of Umphrey’s McGee.”
Check out Umphrey’s McGee as they take the stage on Jan. 16-17 at the Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway in New York City, and the Paramount, 870 New York Ave. in Huntington, on Jan. 18. Doors open at 7 p.m., performance begins at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$39.50 and are available online at ticketmaster.com. For more information visit the band’s website at umphreys.com.
