Last June, the genre-defying progressive sextet Umphrey’s McGee released their eighth studio album Similar Skin via their own independent label, Nothing Too Fancy Music. Similar Skin is the band’s most cohesive album to date and was very well received by the band’s ever-expanding and loyal fan base, and the press, including Rolling Stone, American Songwriter and Relix, who called the album “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 pioneering approach to fan-friendly, interactive musical experiences have set new industry standards, and have been the subject of coverage in Billboard, Mashable, Pollstar, Relix, Chicago Tribune and Time, who said, “As the record business continues to struggle, bands like Umphrey’s McGee are expanding the notion of what a rock band can offer to their fans.”
Umphrey’s McGee continue on this groundbreaking path by announcing twelve live webcasts, billed as the “Couch Tour”, to take place in October and November, with the first and last of them being free to fans. The first will take place on October 22 from the House of Blue in Cleveland, OH as part of the Yahoo Music and Live Nation’s 365 shows in 365 days free series. This show can be streamed HERE. Umphrey’s will join a bill that includes such artists as Ray LaMontagne and The Dave Matthews Band as well as 362 more. Fans will have the ability to stream the concert via Yahoo Screen on iOS, Android, mobile, desktop, and Smart TV platforms including Apple.
The following 11 shows (dates listed below) will be a collaboration with webcast partner TourGigs, and will feature high quality, multi-camera shoots with a soundboard feed. Each stream will replay for 24 hours until the next evening’s performance. Each show is available for $9.99, including the 24-hour replay, or all 10 for $49.99. The band will offer audio download options via UMLive.net.
The final date of the run is a very special one, as Umphrey’s McGee will be celebrating their 2000th show on November 8 in Madison, WI. The band will offer this live stream free as a gift to their loyal fans via this link HERE.
In yet another innovative move, Umphrey’s McGee has launched the first full service, streaming site for a single artist. Fans will have access to over 1000 live shows as well as band’s entire catalogue for $10.00 per month. The service is available via UMLive.net in both desktop and iOS versions (Android nearing completion).
In March 2013, Umphrey’s McGee started their Headphones & Snowcones audio immersion fan experience (see Rolling Stone piece), where fans can rent high-end wireless headphones at their shows to listen to a direct audio feed from the soundboard. The band recently posted a great video about the impetus of the program featuring testimonials and live footage. You can see the short video HERE.
Umphrey’s McGee Tour Dates
October 22 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
October 23 - The Rapids Theatre - Niagara Falls, NY
October 24 - Stage AE - Pittsburgh, PA
October 25 - Orbit Room - Grand Rapids, MI
October 29 - Forum Theatre - Binghamton, NY
October 30 - The F.M. Kirby Center - Wilkes-Barre, PA
October 31 - House of Blues - Boston, MA (Sold Out)
November 1 - House of Blues - Boston, MA
November 5 - The Canopy Club - Urbana, IL
November 6 - Kalamazoo State Theatre - Kalamazoo, MI
November 7 - The Orpheum - Madison, WI (Sold Out)
November 8 - The Orpheum - Madison, WI (Sold Out)
November 13-16 - Bear Creek Music & Art Festival - Live Oak, FL
December 3-7 – Dominican Holidaze – Punta Cana, DO (Sold Out)
December 30 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
December 31 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
January 1 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
January 2 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
January 3 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
January 6-11 – Jam Cruise - Miami, FL
January 16 - Beacon Theatre - New York, NY
January 17 - Beacon Theatre - New York, NY
January 18 - The Paramount - Huntington, NY
