Umphrey’s McGee Revive The Band’s “Ophelia” and Lean on Covers with Jennifer Hartswick, Skerik, Roosevelt Collier and Alex Wasily at Suwannee Amp Jam #2
During night one of the Suwannee Amp Jam #2 in Live Oak, Fla., Umphrey’s McGee were bestowed the task of two-set entertainers, taking the event schedule’s final openings to provide a live soundtrack for the Sunshine State concert-goers. Set one was a standard affair for the Midwest-bred improvisors, who performed without guitarist Jake Cinninger [citing “personal reasons”], and instead provided a guest-heavy, covers-dominated latter frame, dubbed “All Night Wrong.”
After sticking to well-worn standards during the initial set, Umphrey’s McGee returned to the stage for the latter half of their Suwannee Amp Jam performance without guests, and caused a stir with their interpretation of Pink Floyd’s thought-piece “Time.” Before the onset of their second song, guitarist Nick Cassarino (The Nth Power) took the stage and proceeded to extemporize the Dire Straits’ “Sultans of Swing.”
Next, the ensemble paid homage to the Grateful Dead by submitting “Jack Straw.” Umphrey’s McGee kept Cassarino in tow and went so far as to insert a tease of Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” before tacking on Steely Dan’s “Hey Nineteen,” without stopping. They pressed into The Who’s “Eminence Front,” continuing the segue and welcoming Skerik on saxophone.
Pausing was not fathomable as songs merged one into the next, resulting in the arrival of J.J. Cale’s “Cocaine.” The latter included guest assistance, such as the aforementioned sax player and the arrival of Roosevelt Collier. “Under Pressure” ultimately called Jennifer Hartswick to the stage, lending vocals before picking up her instrument and accompanying fellow guests, Skerik and Alex Wasily, on Prince’s “1999.”
A take on Beck’s “Debra” continued the guest-heavy performance, which also included Grammy-winner Sam Pounds providing vocals. For the first time since Aug. 17, 2023, Umphrey’s McGee led their guests through a bust out of The Band’s “Ophelia,” which bumped into Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain” without pausing.
Before Umphrey’s McGee submitted their final cover, they teased in “YYZ” before unlocking David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” with Hartswick, Skerik, Wasily, and Collier by their sides.
Following the band’s appearance in Live Oak, Fla., they will resume their musical tasks on the West Coast, beginning over two nights, March 10-11, at Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, Calif. Tickets remain on sale.
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Umphrey’s McGee
Spirit of Suwannee Music Park – Live Oak, Fla.
Feb. 26, 2026
Set I: Slacker, Der Bluten Kat > Andy’s Last Beer > Der Bluten Kat, 2×2 > Wappy Sprayberry > Hajimemashite
Set II: Time, Sultans of Swing[1], Jack Straw[1] > Hey Nineteen[2] > Eminence Front[3] > Cocaine[4] > Under Pressure[5], 1999[6], Debra[7], Ophelia[8] > Fool in the Rain[8], Let’s Dance[8]
Footnotes:
[1] with Nick Cassarino on guitar
[2] with Nick Cassarino on guitar; with Wanna Be Startin’ Something’ (Michael Jackson) tease
[3] with Nick Cassarino on guitar and Skerik on saxophone
[4] with Skerik on saxophone and Roosevelt Collier on guitar
[5] with Jennifer Hartswick on vocals
[6] with Jennifer Hartswick on vocals and trumpet, Skerik on saxophone, and Alex Wasily on trombone
[7] with Jennifer Hartswick on trumpet, Skerik on saxophone, Alex Wasily on trombone, and Sam Pounds on vocals
[8] with Jennifer Hartswick on trumpet, Skerik on saxophone, Alex Wasily on trombone, and Roosevelt Collier on guitar
Show notes:
Entire show without Jake
Second set was an All Night Wrong cover set
Last Ophelia 2023-08-17 (217 shows)
With “YYZ” (Rush) tease before “Let’s Dance”
Setlist and notes via allthings.umphreys.com.
