Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
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Leave a comment on this post and you’ll be entered to win a pair of tickets to see Umphrey’s McGee at the US Cellular Center in Asheville on Feb. 7. The show is Umphrey’s first headlining arena show, and it’s right here in Asheville. These guys are incredible musicians and they’ll rock your face off. I saw them a couple years back out at Pisgah Brewing – amazing show.
Here’s the press release:
Genre-defying sextet Umphrey’s McGee will perform at Asheville Civic Center on Saturday, February 7 in support of their album, Similar Skin (released June 10 via the band’s newly formed independent label, Nothing Too Fancy Music).
The album debuted at #49 on the Billboard 200 chart while receiving praise from a wide range of press. Rolling Stone said, “Umphrey’s McGee are a veteran act steeped in prog musicianship, metal power and genre-jumping inventiveness that thinks in terms of album-length statements… It’s some of the zestiest overthinking you’ll hear all year.”
American Songwriter said, “… this act never stops exploring and unlike many other jam oriented outfits, they are refreshingly eclectic…” Relixmagazine called Similar Skin “A heavy, unapologetic, rock-and-roll exhibition from start to finish that will have speakers everywhere trembling in fear from what is the Chicago sextet’s strongest work to date.”
Umphrey’s McGee’s dynamic sounds, virtuosic playing and cutting edge live spectacles continue to draw fans as they sell out major venues throughout the U.S. The band’s groundbreaking approach to fan-friendly, communal live experiences have raised the bar in the music industry.
Here’s a funny little video the band put out about their Asheville show:
Man I would absolutely love to see UMG again, it’s been several years. I unfortunately haven’t had the opportunity to see as many shows as I’d really like to over the last several months. Really glad to see you offering this giveaway.
I had an intense love affair with Umphreys for years and something changed for me. The music felt over-worked and almost theatrical to the point where it lost some of the magic it once held in changing the pace from a slow lull to a frantic rock ballad. I would be happy to write a review of my experience and share photos if I won the tickets.
Umphrey’s Mcgee is the prototype for how to succeed in the music scene in the modern age. First and foremost, they’re fantastic musicians. Their production crew is second to none. They tour relentlessly, building their fan base along the road, and never play the same set list twice. They offer almost immediate, high quality downloads of their shows on their website, my favorite being the Orange Peel show on 2/17/11. They offer live video streams of many of their shows, release DVDs with increased frequency, and really cater to their fans.
I’ve seen UM four times. First at the Orange Peel, second at US Cellular Arena (during Moogfest), third at Pisgah Brewing, and lastly at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium a year ago. The band was always great, lighting brilliant, but the acoustics at US Cellular Arena are severely challenged. I’ll be there whether I win free tickets or not, and UM’s sound crew is unparallelled, but I have my doubts that any band can sound great in that venue. I also hope UM proves me wrong.
Wonderland headshop at 33 Patton Ave has 2 free tickets to the AVL show up for grabs–no purchase necessary to enter the free raffle, they are drawing a winner on Monday
I saw (and recorded) them the first time they came to Asheville in 2002. There were probably no more than 100 people at Stella Blue for that show. Would be cool to see them at the Civic Center to see how they’ve grown.
Who’s the winner? Chicken dinner?
Since the MountainX!!
Yeah!
I would love to win tickets
Would love to win!
I want to go!
Pick me…please???
Lights are gonna be nuckin futs for this show. Gonna be one hell of a time.
Coming up for the show from Boone. Stoked for their first show headlining in an arena!!
UM
Man I would absolutely love to see UMG again, it’s been several years. I unfortunately haven’t had the opportunity to see as many shows as I’d really like to over the last several months. Really glad to see you offering this giveaway.
I haven’t seen Umphreys in years but it would be so cool to see them in Asheville! Plus, what a great birthday present for my man’s 27th!
fun!!!
I had an intense love affair with Umphreys for years and something changed for me. The music felt over-worked and almost theatrical to the point where it lost some of the magic it once held in changing the pace from a slow lull to a frantic rock ballad. I would be happy to write a review of my experience and share photos if I won the tickets.
I would love to see UM in AVL!!
Hiya free tickets would be great
Umphrey’s Mcgee is the prototype for how to succeed in the music scene in the modern age. First and foremost, they’re fantastic musicians. Their production crew is second to none. They tour relentlessly, building their fan base along the road, and never play the same set list twice. They offer almost immediate, high quality downloads of their shows on their website, my favorite being the Orange Peel show on 2/17/11. They offer live video streams of many of their shows, release DVDs with increased frequency, and really cater to their fans.
I’ve seen UM four times. First at the Orange Peel, second at US Cellular Arena (during Moogfest), third at Pisgah Brewing, and lastly at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium a year ago. The band was always great, lighting brilliant, but the acoustics at US Cellular Arena are severely challenged. I’ll be there whether I win free tickets or not, and UM’s sound crew is unparallelled, but I have my doubts that any band can sound great in that venue. I also hope UM proves me wrong.
Ive been wanting to see these guys for years!
I wanna go! 🙂 Bill
I am sooo stoked for this show, and free tickets would be cool too 😉
Here is the link to the aforementioned show at Pisgah Brewing Co. it was a rager!
https://archive.org/details/UM2012-09-08.CM-33
Haven’t seen them play since 2004 in a tiny bar!
bring the umph!
Can’t believe these guys are going to be rocking the arena. In fact, I’ll need to see it to believe it.
Yee Haw!! Ready to have my mind blown via ear drums! Love these guys!
Hope to win. This will be a great show.
Would love to go!
i would love to go to this show 😎
umphreaks unite!
This would be amazing. Hope to win!
Oooo i want to go!!! Please!! 🙂
Wonderland headshop at 33 Patton Ave has 2 free tickets to the AVL show up for grabs–no purchase necessary to enter the free raffle, they are drawing a winner on Monday
Been trying to catch these guys for years!
Sounds like a great show! Count me in on the drawing.
awesome band
One of my favorite bands,
incredible musicians.
This would be a great “Little Gift!!”
My super pregnant wife would be stoked to go to this show with me!
Pick me! 🙂
I want to win please!
I would love to win tickets to this show!
Can’t wait for the show.
id love to win tickets!!!
I saw (and recorded) them the first time they came to Asheville in 2002. There were probably no more than 100 people at Stella Blue for that show. Would be cool to see them at the Civic Center to see how they’ve grown.
https://archive.org/details/um2002-02-27.sbd.shnf
Thanks Cliff!