Photo: Brian Stollery

On Thursday, January 30, Umphey’s McGee took their current tour, dubbed Cruising Altitude 2025, to the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, N.J. The concert represented a reunion of sorts when the host band welcomed a member of OM Trio/ early aughts collaborator, the percussionist Ilya Stemkovsky. 

The team-up arrived during the concert’s second half after UM had revved up the night with high-powered takes on originals, including barn burner/ show starter “Education Guess.” Set one presented a pairing of “Kabump” with “Thin Air.” The ensemble paused and took stock of what was to come, ultimately flowing into “Uncommon” and “Go to Hell” sans stop. 

Umphrey’s McGee marked the end of set one with their ​​Safety in Numbers contribution, “End of the Road,” before they “Cut the Cable,” calling the initial frame a success. Back on stage, UM commenced the latter portion of their live show with “Andy’s Last Beer,” prior to “Resolution” fixed to “No Diablo.” 

The band of brothers cut into “Mulche’s Odyssey,” which merged into “Kula” before their guest’s arrival. Next, Stemkovsky provided percussive support as the band blew the dust off “1999” for the first time since Oct. 17, 2019, effectively ending a pause in plays that lasted over five years and 352 shows. In addition to OM Trio’s touring overlap with UM, Stemkovsky performed with the band for a brief stint. 

Throughout the years, Stemkovsky has sat in with UM during their New Jersey concerts. Last night’s sit-in represented another notch in an elongated performance history. Following their guest’s arrival on the bust-out, UM closed their second set after “Ringo” and ultimately returned for the night’s encore, “The Floor.”

After last night, Umphrey’s McGee will participate in a two-night run at Port Chester, N.Y.’s Capitol Theatre. Tickets remain on sale.

Umphrey’s McGee

Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, N.J.

Jan. 30, 2025

Set I: Educated Guess, Kabump > Thin Air, Morning Song, Uncommon > Go to Hell, End of the Road, Cut the Cable

Set II: Andy’s Last Beer, Resolution > No Diablo, Mulche’s Odyssey > Kula > 1999[1], Ringo

Enc.: The Floor 

Notes: 

[1] with Ilya Stemkovsky on percussion. Last played on 2019-10-17 (352 shows)