Umphrey’s McGee Perform First Show With Scotty Zwang, Bust Out Men At Work’s “Down Under”
Photo courtesy of Umphrey’s McGee
Last night, Umphrey’s McGee crossed into a new era of their nearly three-decade history by presenting their live debut with Scotty Zwang. Shortly after Kris Myers, the group’s percussionist of 22 years, announced his immediate departure from the group to pursue new artistic horizons, longtime scene favorite Zwang signed on to cover the kit for the remainder of 2025. With Thursday’s show, the newcomer flexed his power and precision on some of the undefinable fusion outfit’s most demanding songs, providing a promising preview of things to come.
Umphrey’s McGee stormed the stage for their first night at Isle of Palms, S.C.’s The Windjammer with the Local Band Does O.K. standout and setlist staple “Hurt Bird Bath,” which coincidentally, or otherwise, was the first song Myers performed with the band after founding drummer Mike Mirro’s departure in late 2002. Zwang’s first stab at it clocked in at over 25 minutes and propelled the band into further classics “Walletsworth,” a medley of “Pure Saturation” and “Anchor Drops” and an explosive closer of “JaJunk.”
The band dropped into their second set with “Plunger,” which after 20 minutes deftly bridged into “Uncommon,” accented by a brief tease of “Jimmy Stewart,” and Talking Heads’ “Making Flippy Floppy,” pushed to the outer limits of its floor-filling structure with some rapturous guitar heroics. The show’s focus on early catalog favorites continued with Death By Stereo’s “Hajimemashite,” followed by a bust-out of Men At Work’s Aussie anthem “Down Under,” last performed in September 2023, which finally paved the way to the second set finale “Andy’s Last Beer.” As a cherry on top, Umphrey’s McGee returned for “The Silent Type.”
Last night’s show commenced the next leg of their Cruising Altitude Tour, which the band will continue with a second show at The Windjammer tonight. The band will serve up 33 further performances through Sept. 20, including a stint in Florida with Duane Trucks on the drums from May 29 to June 1. Find more information on their tour itinerary at umphreys.com/tour.
Read on for Thursday’s full setlist, via allthings.umphreys.com.
Umphrey’s McGee
The Windjammer – Isle of Palms, S.C.
5/22/25
Set I: Hurt Bird Bath, Walletsworth, Pure Saturation > Anchor Drops, JaJunk
Set II: Plunger > Uncommon*> Making Flippy Floppy, Hajimemashite, Down Under > Andy’s Last Beer
Encore: The Silent Type+
Notes:
* “Jimmy Stewart” with lyrics
+ Entire show with Scotty Zwang on drums
