The atmosphere in the auditorium was electric, the event was more of a ceremony than a concert and the air was thick with the sweet smell of incense – ahh the Seventies were a remarkable time indeed. This era has been rediscovered in the US with the ‘jamband’ scene and it is regularly celebrated with concerts and festivals across the country. Now Europe is embracing the scene. The Netherlands seemed an appropriate place to import the festivities to as fans were able to ‘enhance their senses’ and so in 2005, American fans crossed the Atlantic for a three day festival to celebrate life, love and music at the ‘Melkweg’ in Amsterdam for the ‘Jam in the Dam’. The festival was such a success that it’s happening all over again in March this year and on the bill once again is Umphrey’s McGee.

Steely Dan and John Coltrane cooperate to honour Frank Zappa. Mahavishnu Orchestra meets Scritti Politti. Dixie Dregs fight Police with Pearl Jam. One can hardly imagine all that. Yet there exists music that can hardly be described in a different way. This music is made by six people from the United States who act with skill rather than with a crowbar, and who obviously have a lot of fun impressing their audience over and over again: Umphrey’s McGee.