Umphrey's McGee to Take 'Play Action' From Fans at UM Bowl II

Some years ago, it became apparent that Umphrey's McGee were dedicated to erasing -- or, at least, toying with -- the boundary between band and audience at their concerts. And, at past events, they've reached new levels of live fan interaction, propelled naturally by their own improvisational abilities. But now, instead of trying to create a unifying experience, Umphrey's are actually taking the opposite route, as they prepare to go head-to-head with fans in their second annual UMBowl.

Inspired as much by the Super Bowl as, say, Facebook, fans will have the opportunity to directly engage the band during four distinct quarters at the big game. For example, during the first quarter -- subtitled 'The Fan is the Quarterback' -- attendees will get to text message their real-time votes for game-time decisions, ranging from what song the band should launch into next to what stylistic direction they want the jam to veer towards. The play is called and then engaged all instantaneously, on the spot. For those keeping score -- everyone wins. Including bassist Ryan Stasik, who sat with fans at the Mayan Holidaze festival in Mexico this past January as he watched his favorite team, the Steelers, go down.

"Well you can't win them all, can you?" Stasik asks Spinner, rhetorically. "So, the Steelers didn't win the Super Bowl this year to capture their seventh Lombardi Trophy -- but anyone who decides to attend UMBowl will surely be a winner. Expect some hard hits, some trick plays and an UMBowl victory on all sides at the end!"

The four, 45-minute quarters are as follows: Q1 -- 'The Fan is the Quarterback'; Q2 -- 'Stew Art Improvisational Set'; Q3 -- 'Special Teams' and Q4 -- 'All Request.' UMBowl II takes place at Park West in Chicago on April 2. Fans "sacked" regular admission tickets within minutes, but a selection of VIP packages are still available via CID Entertainment. Play ball... err, guitar, or something...