Umphrey’s to return to DeKalb after six years

By JEN HANCE

Six years after a sold-out performance at Otto’s, Umphrey’s McGee is coming back to DeKalb.

The jam band, originally from South Bend, Ind., returns at 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at the Egyptian Theatre. Tickets for this all-ages concert are $30 in advance and $32 the day of the show. They can be purchased by going to the Egyptian Theatre’s Web site.

According to John Ugolini of Kickstand Productions, the show had been confirmed the week of the Feb. 14 shooting, but now is being advertised as a benefit concert.

A commemorative poster is being designed especially for the show, Ugolini said, and all proceeds from their sale will be donated to the NIU memorial fund. A part of the proceeds from the ticket sales will also be donated.

“It seems like they’re going the extra mile,” Ugolini said, “They’ve been really supportive in getting behind the cause.”

According to Ugolini, Umphrey’s McGee was a big part of the DeKalb music scene years ago before their fame began to rise.

“They look at DeKalb as kind of home away from home,” he said.

Critics and fans alike have described the band’s music as “progressive improvisation” comparable to that of Phish and Grateful Dead. But they also stress their strong influences from The Police, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Genesis and Frank Zappa.

They recently announced plans to play at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn., for the fifth year in a row this summer. They will also be playing at Summer Camp Festival in Chillicothe in May.