The State Theatre was greeted with one of the greatest jam bands in the business Wednesday night. Umphrey’s McGee, a Chicago-based jam band from the 90s, had the crowd on their feet the entire night with a set up including two guitars, a bass, a piano, and duel percussion.

The crowd piled in at 9:00 p.m. with their Solo cups and amplified spirits awaiting the band to come on. Fifteen minutes later, the doors closed, the houselights went down, and Umphreys took the stage. Their style is an incredible blend of smooth bass lines, slick guitar licks, soulful piano, and heart-racing drums. The harmonizing amongst the four vocalists synced together perfectly with the funky fresh melodies of the songs.

The crowd was mesmerized. With ass-kicking interludes that seemed to never end, it was no surprise that the band’s sound waves hit the audience’s eardrums and put the entire theater in a trance. Bros were jumping around, the ladies shook their hips, and even the ushers were nodding their heads.

After playing for an hour straight, the band took a quick 30 minute break and came back with full force. By the second part of the set, my eyes began to melt from the overwhelming flashes and lasers that formed one of the most insane light shows I have ever seen at the State Theatre. Umphrey’s McGee had the swagger of the Grateful Dead, the intensity of Pink Floyd’s instrumentals, and they even covered the Beatles’ classic “I Am The Walrus.”

This show was the kind of thing that makes the State Theatre such an incredible venue. They bring in incredible acts that sell out by show time. For those of you reading this who have never seen a show there, I highly recommend it. With the size of the State Theatre, there is not a bad seat in the house.