Umphrey’s McGee: Top Note Sessions in Chicago

Photo Credit: Brian Stollery

Umphrey’s McGee pulled back the curtains and invited a live audience to experience their intimate live concert/recording sessions at Top Note on the 4th floor of Chicago’s Metro venue this week. The first of three gatherings occurred on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 

The ensemble commenced the Top Note Sessions with their well-seasoned “Dump City” before amalgamating “Half Delayed” and rarity “Wide Open.” The latter debuted in 2022 and has been performed five times in total. Before revisiting it in the Windy City, UM last performed “Wide Open” on April 14, 2023, effectively ending a 127-show gap.

Going deeper into their archive, UM pulled “Bad Friday,” followed by early aughts originator “Got Your Milk Right Here,” which ran into “Ringo.” After another round of pairings, they seized an optimal moment to run through “Unevolved.” The song debuted at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre in 2022, shelved till their Jan. 21, 2023 stand at The Capitol Theatre, only to reemerge on Tuesday. 

“Slacker” represented the final song of their Top Note kick-off, leaving fans with a beloved piece from the past to soak up ahead of Wednesday’s reemergence. Back on stage, UM set course with the infrequently performed “Out of Focus.” “Staircase” coalesced “Walletsworth” without pause, functioning as an elongated preamble to “Sweetness.” Asking for a Friend’s “Pure Saturation” represented a set highpoint and unfolded into “Night Nurse.”

The 2024 debut “Concessions” arrived on the heels of “Attachments” and eventually led to the final song of Umphrey’s second Top Note Sessions, culminating in a finish after “Den.” 

Scroll down to view setlists via allthings.umphreys.com.

A third day of recording at Chicago’s Metro was added two weeks before the occasion. This story is still developing, and once information becomes available, it will be updated to reflect the Dec. 12 concert.

Umphrey’s McGee – Top Note Sessions 

Metro – Chicago

Dec. 10, 2024

Set: ​​Dump City, Half Delayed > Wide Open, Bad Friday, Got Your Milk (Right Here) > Ringo, The Pequod > Booth Love, Unevolved, Slacker

Umphrey’s McGee – Top Note Sessions 

Metro – Chicago

Dec. 11, 2024

Set: Out of Focus, Staircase > Walletsworth, Sweetness, Preamble > Mantis, Pure Saturation > Night Nurse, Concessions, Attachments, Den