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 LIVE SHOW REVIEW | |
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Umphrey's McGee/Sound Tribe Section 9 Masquerade Music Park/Atlanta August 1, 2008 Words & Images by Ian Rawn | |
 Over the past two years, Atlanta fans had grown accustomed to a mid-summer concert series, featuring the well-established touring act Umphrey's McGee. Each year Umphrey's has chosen a worthy band to join them on tour and accompany them to Atlanta for two shows at the Masquerade. The highly successful D.U.M.B tour in 2007 featured the Disco Biscuits. For 2008 on August 1-2, the Atlanta based rock/electronica fusion of Sound Tribe Sector 9 joined Umphrey's for what should have been 16 consecutive shows. Unfortunately, at the end of their run together, weather would wreak havoc on the aging Masquerade Music Park venue and cut the tour short by one show. It was a long, hot week for Atlantans, as temperatures remained in the mid 90s for several consecutive days. On Friday, as fans gathered in the oversized gravel lot next to the Masquerade the conditions would remain the same, feeding the angst and desire to let loose and party. The run this year consisted of Umphrey's McGee opening the show for Sound Tribe Sector 9. Fans were thankful for a delayed start time as it allowed most to leave work, eat dinner and head out to the show. By 7:30 most were done fighting the lines at the will call gate and had settled on the newly-added grass that covered the once barren ground making up the Masquerade floor.  It
was just passed 7:45 as Umphrey's took the stage. Bassist Ryan Stasik
hit the stage first, dressed in some sort of outlandish funk inspired
garb that truly drew parallels with his on stage persona. In this
brief set, all members of the band played well but Ryan was certainly
the center of attention, dancing around and making odd faces at the
crowd. There were several peaks of this show including "Dump City,"
"Jimmy Stewart," and the closing Pink Floyd cover, "Shine on You Crazy
Diamond." Overall, it was a fairly standard performance and certainly
left the crowd wanting more. We were all entertained with grand thoughts
of what Umphrey's would bring the next night; little did we know that
there would not be another performance. The darkness of night had set in by the time Umphrey's completed their show and set the stage for Sound Tribe Sector 9's massive light display. As soon as STS9 took the stage the crowd had shifted; you could feel the youthful energy in the air. STS9, with their original blend of high-octane psychedelic techno-funk, brought new life to the night. The band performed for several hours playing new and old songs. Fans were on their feet as glow sticks and other swirling toys cut through the air, adding to the flurry of colorful lights stemming from the stage. I am not a huge fan of electronica and as a result had not seen STS9 in several years. Despite all of this, I truly enjoyed their performance and was fortunate to have a camera in hand, enabling me to capture the outstanding light show and energetic performance. Following their set, I opted to hit the sack and conserve my energy for what would certainly be another intense tour-ending show the following night.  Come Saturday, I united with some close friends for a meal and a few age-appropriate beverages prior to the show. After some very large burgers at the famous Vortex in Little Five Points, we headed down to the Masquerade. Immediately after turning onto North Avenue, where the Masquerade is located, we were overcome by the foreboding skies ahead. We all looked at each other in dismay as we realized that there were no rain coats in the car. After we parked on the street behind the Masquerade, successfully avoiding the inflated cost of parking in "the lot," it was apparent that we would have to stay and wait for the storm to pass through. At this point, the sky was dark purple, the wind was howling, and the rain was thrashing against my car. There was nothing left to do except finish the remaining beverages in my trunk and watch the lightening strike down. After a solid 30 minutes of rotten weather, the rain had slowed to a trickle and we made our way into the venue. It was now 8:00 PM and anticipation for Umphrey's and STS9 was growing. The venue was as full as I had ever seen it, and we were mashed in like anchovies with the likes of many intoxicated individuals. Rumors about a complete power loss were widespread at this point and everyone was getting a little antsy about the situation. We were not going to leave because we assumed that there was a back-up power source and it was only a matter of time before it was functional. This was not the case, however; there was no backup power supply and an hour and half later the show had been officially canceled. As there was no power for the bands to make an announcement, I was fortunate to learn of the cancellation before most others. I fought the crowd and made it back to where my friends had been waiting only to deliver the disappointing news. On the way to the car I was reminded of the oft forgotten phrase on our tickets, "Rain or Shine." The irony was unavoidable as our group had attended hundreds of concerts collectively and this was the first cancellation for all of us. We left the venue with our cravings unfulfilled; doubting that our $35 would be refunded. On the way back home there were several jokes referencing an alleged "ghost-jam" to be followed by a "silent-jam."  Now that I have had time to reflect on the weekend, it was not as bad as it seemed on Saturday evening. I had one great night of music, united with some old friends, and came away with some great photos. In fact, as I was writing this very article, I received an email from Ticketmaster notifying me that they will be refunding my money for the show. This was an incredible act of good will and good karma on the part of the Umphrey's, STS9, and the venue. I also read a kind blurb written by Kevin Browning, the UM sound guy, on the Umphrey's McGee's blog where the band shared their feelings about the tough decision to cancel the show. After the frustrating hours spent inside the Masquerade, I will think long and hard before I return to that venue. I hold no ill will towards the bands, and hold out hope that there will be a make-up show that will ease the anticipation and the excitement of what Umphrey's McGee and Sound Tribe Sector 9 brought out for the first night's show in Atlanta. For more pictures click here.  | |