Umphrey’s McGee, today’s “most innovative improvising rock group” (Relix), have announced their third annual UMBowl, one of the most unique and interactive events in all of live music. The show will take place Friday, April 27 at Park West in the band’s hometown of Chicago.
The UMBowl concept was born from Umphrey’s signature Stew Art Series (S2), in which fans take direct part in the band’s improvising through text messaging. This year for UMBowl III, Umphrey’s – called “the last ‘classic’ jamband standing” (Relix) and “unlikely role models” (Billboard) for their non-traditional approach to engaging their fan base through digital media – will divide one mind-blowing night of music into four distinct quarters:
• Quarter 1: The “All Request Quarter,” where fans choose the setlist while dictating instrument switches, solos, and special duos/trios.
• Quarter 2: A “Stew Art”-style set of improvisation based on specific themes, scenes, and concepts that fans suggest through texting.
• Quarter 3: A “Choose Your Own Adventure” narrative, where the audience selects the setlist in real-time, with the ability to “call an audible” as the set progresses.
• Quarter 4: “Raw Stewage,” which will feature Umphrey’s giving hardcore fans the choice of their favorite “Jimmy Stewart”s (improvisational segments), linked through brand-new improv.
This year, Umphrey’s will also make their seventh trip to Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, which will be held June 7-10 in Manchester, TN. From August 6-10, Umphrey’s will hold the inaugural sUMmer school, a five-day summer music camp in the heart of the Catskill Mountains with 150 fans. The sextet, who Relix profiled in this month’s cover story, are taking their latest album ‘Death By Stereo’ (ATO Records) out on the road throughout the spring.
Umphrey’s McGee Tour Dates:
March 7 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen
March 8 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen
March 9 – Denver, CO – The Fillmore
March 10 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
March 11 – Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Casino Club
March 16 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues
March 17 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre
March 18 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
March 21 – Ashland, OR – Historic Ashland Armory
March 22 – Seattle, WA – Showbox
March 23 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theatre
March 24 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
March 25 – Missoula, MT – Wilma Theatre
April 12 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
April 13 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
April 14 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
April 17 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic
April 18 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic
April 19 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
April 20 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s BBQ
April 21 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX
April 27 – Chicago, IL – UMBowl III at Park West
May 25-27 – Chillicothe, IL – Summer Camp 2012
May 31-June 3 – Ozark, AR – Wakarusa
June 7-10 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo
August 6-10 – Big Indian NY – sUMmer school at Full Moon Resort
