Umphrey’s McGee has announced Winter Tour 2016 and it’s certainly a different monster from previous years. Despite claims that they would be slowing down in the new year, the band has announced shows that run throughout the entire spring, Tauk and a flurry of other special guests appearance will pop up along the three month run.
It begins with the annual Beacon January run and contains a spout of East Coast shows as the past few years have: Maine, D.C. and Richmond among the many states to receive visits this spring. The band almost entirely skirts away from the Midwest, hoping fans will be satisfied with what promises to be an epic appearance with Joshua Redman and Tauk at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo. Joel has hinted that there is gap of space pre-Cleveland where two additional Redman shows will be announced. The entire Eastern Region run culminates in the Blu
eridge Rockway in Asheville where the boys will be joined by The Motet and Tauk for a two night onslaught.
The Western region run has been shortened up as well, with Salt Lake City and Montana notably left off the list, despite high energy sellouts in both cities last year. Aspen’s Belly Uprun has been extended from two to three nights and now encompasses the St. Patrick’s holiday while California and the Washington/Portland run have been swapped, the Pacific Northwest falling pre-Aspen, California afterwards. As always, Umphreak’s Anonymous is planning an onslaught of travel guides, podcasts, reviews, previews and all the other good stuff you’ve come to know and love for the Umphcoming Winter tour.
Update: Joel has hinted at maybe the possibility that Montana and Utah will get hit up later on in the year. Is he just teasing our dreams of a Western Region Summer Tour run that contains shows outside of Colorado? Let’s hope these growing markets don’t get completely shafted in 2016, they are always very fun shows. FWIW, Sandpoint, Idaho is around 4 hours from Missoula, so GiTV for that one to hold you over, Montanans. We know that’s a little far for you, Utah, you’re just gonna have to fight with the hundreds of Umphreaks for Belly Up tickets.
@UmphreaksMcgee @BellyUpAspen @umphreysmcgee yeah I’m disappointed we couldn’t get Missoula & SLC in there either. Maybe later in 2016?
— Joel Cummins (@goldlikejoel) October 19, 2015