Photo Credit: Jay Strausser
On Tuesday evening, April 29, bands took part in the first of two nights of Daze Between New Orleans at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Umphrey’s McGee led the night’s charge, and topped a schedule that included moe. with the Dumpstaphunk horns, Alex Wasily, Ashlin Parker and Brad Walker, as well as Lespecial with featured ace saxophonist, Sherik.
Umphrey’s McGee leaned into a two-set performance which began with originals, “1348” and “Mail Package,” before finding an entrance into follow-up “JaJunk.” After concluding the Hall Of Fame: Class of 2010 feature, the host band ushered in their initial guests: saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) and Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band).
The pair assisted the South Bend, Ind., formed band on add richness during “Booth Love,” “Wife Soup” and a frame ending amalgamation of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell,” Eddie Grant’s “Electric Avenue,” and their own “Triple Wide.” The song represented a bust-out, last performed on March 26, 2022, during the band’s destination concert event in Iceland. Last night’s play effectively ended a 252-show performance gap.
Set two was an all-out tribute to Zed Leppelin, and included second-generation percussionist, Jason Bonham, son of the famed British rock group’s backbeat, the late John Bonham. Also adding to the night’s lore was the inclusion of Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening vocalist, James Dylan. “Immigration Song” culled set two guests to the stage to assist UM on their first cover of the aforementioned number since Sept. 10, 2023, the last time this group [including guests] performed together.
The ensemble continued to nod to performances past, including joint gigs in 2019 and 2023, with the arrivals of “What Is and What Should Never Be,” “The Song Remains the Same,” “Whole Lotta Love,” and “Kashmir.” Bonham filled Kris Myers’ spot and kept the count on follow-ups “Fool in the Rain” and “No Quarter.” Before capping their second set, UM and guests performed “How Many More Times” and “The Ocean.” Ultimately reemerging for their encore, “Conduit.”
Apart from Umphrey’s Big Easy delivery on Tuesday night, moe. also stepped into the spotlight with their esteemed assemblage of guests. After starting their frame with a series of originals, “Stranger Than Fiction” and “All Roads Lead to Home” leading, they continued to pick from their personal archive, prior to a take on Little Feat’s “Spanish Moon” with accompaniment from Parker, Walker and Wasily, who served as the concerts defacto brass section, a mayor theme across all performances on Tuesday night.
During moe.’s frame, they nodded to The Band on “Ophelia,” Bobby “Blue” Bland on “Turn on Your Love Light” as well as Blue Öyster Cult with the arrival of “Godzilla.” Ultimately moe. led their guest back to Tin Cans and Car Tires via “Happy Hour Hero.”
During Lespecial’s stage time, they enhanced their frame with guests, including billed help from Sherik and the arrival of the band’s so-called “Jazz dad,” percussionist and New Orleans staple Mike Dillon. Scroll down to view a practice video shared via the band’s official Instagram account.
For additional information and to learn more about tonight’s programming, visit dazebetweennola.com.
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Umphrey’s McGee
Mahalia Jackson Theater – New Orleans
April 29, 2025
Set I: 1348, Mail Package > JaJunk, Booth Love[1] > Night Nurse[1], Wife Soup[1], Electric Avenue to Hell[2]
Set II: Immigrant Song[3], What Is and What Should Never Be[3], The Song Remains the Same[3], Whole Lotta Love[3], Kashmir[3], Fool in the Rain[3], No Quarter[3], Ramble On[4], How Many More Times[3], The Ocean[3]
Enc.: Conduit[5]
Notes:
[1] with Jeff Coffin on saxophone and Jennifer Hartswick on trumpet
[2] with Jennifer Hartswick on vocals
[3] with Jason Bonham on drums and James Dylan on vocals
[4] with Jason Bonham on drums and James Dylan on vocals; with Third Stone From the Sun (Jimi Hendrix) tease
[5] with Jason Bonham on drums
Setlist via allthings.umphreys.com.
Content shared from relix.com.