October 30 has notoriously produced some stellar shows. You can go back to the 10/30/10 show in St. Louis, which delivered as close to a “greatest hits” set as Umphrey’s can play along with one of the best versions of “The Linear” to date. The list goes on, but that’s for another time. Last night, as the band readies for a two-night stint at Boston’s House of Blues, they were trying to add to the 10/30 lore.

Not sure if they went that far, but this is still a damn fine show and a perfect appetizer for the rock that awaits in Boston as the mashups finally come to light. Let’s check it out.

Set One

You Got the Wrong Guy > Push the Pig, Uncle Wally > Domino Theory, FF, 2nd Self, Morning Song, The Linear > Cheap Sunglasses

How They Played

The story of this set is told during the three-song run of “Uncle Wally,” “Domino Theory” and “FF.” First of all, any time you get improv in “Uncle Wally,” you’re in for a great night. This one in particular was started by the bass player, Mr. Stasik (who also wrote the setlist), and led to a delicate, lovely, soaring jam with all six members in tune with one another. It’s one thing to be a bit disconnected when you’re thrashing around (like you’ll hear in the “Domino Theory”) but in the lighter moments, the essence of the beauty comes from the entire group locking in, which is exactly what they did here.

As I mentioned, the “Domino Theory” that followed was the polar opposite. First of all, great to see you again, “Domino.” You were sorely missed (third play since April) and this was a stellar introduction to the fall season for the choice Death By Stereo cut. If “Uncle Wally” was the polite, well-mannered person, this “Domino” was the cousin from the other side of the tracks that breaks shit in your house and blames it on you. Super-charged prog rock riffs from Cinninger fueled the jam, which went to the moon before returning to the song after the Umphrey’s version of Phish’s now-coined “plinko” style of jamming.

The final arc to this triangle, the last nail in this set’s coffin, the straw that broke the camel’s back was the “FF” which found a happy medium between the two contrasting jamming styles as it started with some heavy arena rock riffs but maintained a certain type of beauty to it through the playing of Joel and Stasik. Once again, as we’ve seen on this tour, the Jake/Joel interplay is at its best ever, which came out again when they performed “Morning Song” which preceded a straight-ahead “Linear” and closing “Cheap Sunglasses.”

MVP

Not only did Ryan Stasik write the setlist, but he also kicked off each improv section with his own original idea, which propelled the band into the wonderful places they traveled to, such as during the aforementioned “Uncle Wally,” “Domino” and “FF.”

Playback Value

See: The three songs mentioned a bajillion times above.

Set Two

Eat, No Diablo, I Want You (She’s So Heavy), #5, Little Gift > Bottom Half, Wappy Sprayberry > October Rain > Similiar Skin

Enc: Booth Love

How They Played

Another set that featured some atypical jam vehicles, a theme on this tour, as the band kicked things off with “Eat.” According to the setlist, the jam was written beforehand but regardless, it was certainly a performance of note. Very guitar-driven, most of the set was, and perfectly encompassed the hard-hitting riffs of the original song. “#5” returned with some brief improv, building off the last version played on this tour that evolved into a riff-a-thon from Cinninger and Bayliss.

After all of the heaviness of the opening few tunes, which also included “No Diablo,” “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” and the rocking new song “Little Gift,” the group dug into a slick “Bottom Half” with a jam that could best be described as “Glory”‘s slightly-less-accomplished sibling. Like, “Glory” got a degree from Duke Law School while this “Bottom Half” went the online route. Still worthwhile, but you get the idea of the feel. Soaring, anthemic and patient with just the right amount of rock in the end.

The final three songs saw Umphrey’s at their most creative during the night as a tight, fiery “Wappy Sprayberry” gave way to a rare instrumental segment in “October Rain.” Normally reserved for the beginning of the show, the light, airy instrumental contrasted the heavy “Wappy” perfectly and flowed wonderfully into “Similar Skin.” Credit to the setlist-writer, Mr. Stasik, for that creative nugget. As for your weekly “Similar Skin” improv update: It still has it, and it still works. Two runs through and so far, so good.

MVP

Definitely a very guitar-driven set, so Brendan Bayliss nabs another MVP here. Bayliss does some fo his best work on “I Want You,” combining his vocals with smooth guitar work. He also valiantly sparred with Cinninger during “Eat,” “#5” and “Wappy Sprayberry.”

Playback Value

The “Eat” jam is interesting, particularly if it winds up turning into a new song, so store that away in the memory bank. The transition and work in “Wappy Sprayberry” > “October Rain” > “Similar Skin” is, as I mentioned, innovative and very unique.

NEXT UP: Boston. Halloween. Mash-ups. Tonight.