Umphrey's McGee hypnotizes Observatory

As far as concert performances go, Umphrey’s McGee can run hot and cold. Sunday night, they were on fire. Normally reminiscent of a free-form rock group like Phish, Umphrey’s McGee brought their sound down to a heavier tone at the Observatory.

Celebrating someone’s birthday, the progressive jam band broke out into Steely Dan’s classic “Reeling in the Years,” a standout moment in the middle of the first set. Well-known for their covers, Umphrey’s McGee was wrapping up their West Coast Couch Tour in style, having toured 12 cities with the rock group opener Spafford.

The show started early and finished late. Spafford began playing 15 minutes after doors opened at seven. Umphrey’s McGee struck a final encore chord at around 11:45, savoring the music of the moment and the strong, ever-building energy of the crowd.

Although the band’s first set was solid, they came back after a brief intermission fired up and delivered the stronger fist of their one-two punch. The light show was hypnotizing, and the crowd, an interesting combination of plaid-clad San Diego hipsters and the Dead Head once-was, seemed to fall under its spell.

• Concert: Umphrey's McGee
• Date: March 19
• Venue: Observatory at North Park
• Seats: General