Umphrey’s McGee performed a delightful gig at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa on Friday (8/22), paying tribute to the venue’s storied past with thoughtful teases peppered among their setlist.
The prog jam band snuck in a hint of “Blackbird” by The Beatles in their 15-song set. The Beatles were famously influenced by Buddy Holly, who played his last concert at the Surf in 1959.
Speaking of the bespectacled singer songwriter, the final tune of the night was a live debut that mixed both one of Buddy Holly’s hits with Weezer’s.
Introducing the encore, guitarist Brendan Bayliss told the crowd of about 2,000 that playing the Surf Ballroom was “a bucket list moment,” adding that they wanted to “give a shout out to Buddy Holly, because he influenced some of the musicians who influenced us. Without him walking the path, we wouldn’t be here.”
read more at: Setlist.fm
