Charter One
Hometown shows are always a mixture of emotions. Both exciting and nerve racking, fun and full of pressure, pleasurable to have all our family and friends there to enjoy it with us, and a lot to deal with at the same time. I spent the majority of the day at Charter One Pavilion, watching the radar on Don’s laptop – praying that the precipitation steer clear of the area formerly known as Meigs Field. It would dump buckets of rain, the storm clouds coming in cells across the screen, and then clear up, throughout the day. As the sky cleared and a strange fog rolled over parts of the skyline, I took a moment to climb to the highest point of the venue’s bleachers to look over the empty pavilion to the South, Soldier Field to the West, the city skyline and Navy Pier veiled in fog to the North, and our dear Lake Michigan and nearby beach to the East. It was indeed the quiet after the storm, and before the rock show that would ensue. As the fans started to line up at the gates as early as 1:30 in the afternoon, and the PA pumped some Steely Dan to get nice and warmed up, I had a feeling that we were in for a good night. With over 5000 folks in attendance, this was truly one of my proudest nights as manager of Umphrey’s McGee. Thanks to all of you who shared it with us.
"Before"
"Soldier Field"
"To the North"
"After"
