Umphrey’s McGee lighting designer Ben Factor announced on Monday that he is parting ways with the band after a seven-year tenure.

“With deep gratitude for the last 7 years, 500 shows and endless experimentation, I’d like to share the news that I’m stepping away from the road after the show at Ravinia [Festival in the Chicago area] this coming weekend,” Factor wrote on social media. “As I grow into my 30s, I want to be more present at home with my community, friends and hopefully start a family. The touring lifestyle simply isn’t aligned with those goals right now.”

“My last run as LD will be this weekend, August 12-15,” he added in the caption of his post. “A proper batch of big Midwest shows, capped off in Chicago. I am going to leave it all out on the field – No tricks kept secret or ideas left unrealized. M Sphere mirrors, MA3, everything I got! See you all there.”

Factor has handled lighting duties for Umphrey’s McGee since 2019, when he joined the crew as a 24-year-old upstart and Umphrey’s fan who had garnered buzz via his work with bands like Spafford and Mungion. “Umphrey’s just about single-handedly inspired me to pursue lighting,” he wrote when he first signed on. “I’ve had a handful of life epiphanies while at UM shows so this really is a full-circle opportunity for me.”

While he had big shoes to fill as the replacement for recently retired Umphrey’s LD Jefferson Waful, who had become a household name among fans over the course of his own 11-year stint with the band, Factor was quickly adopted and celebrated by the group’s devotees.

“There is no way to properly convey what this journey has meant to me in a social media post,” Factor added in the announcement of his departure. “I found Umphrey’s as a teenager and their music guided me through my most formative years. This has been – no exaggeration – my dream job. … I will carry the lessons and wisdom of touring the world with my favorite band for the rest of my life.”

Factor’s departure is the latest in a recent string of shake-ups for Umphrey’s McGee. In May of 2025, longtime drummer Kris Myers resigned his position after a 22-year tenure. The band toured with several interim drummers in the ensuing months before naming Scotty Zwang as Myers’ full-time replacement in August 2025.

Then, in early 2026, longtime guitarist Jake Cinninger began an extended hiatus from touring, during which time Umphrey’s McGee performed as a five-piece with only one guitarist rather than its typical two. In July, the band revealed that the split with Cinninger would be permanent. At the time, Cinninger referred to the decision to leave the band as “one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make,” though neither he nor the band specified the reason behind his departure. Remaining Umphrey’s McGee guitarist and vocalist Brendan Bayliss later said in a statement that “playing as a five-piece has brought back a sense of joy and excitement that feels really refreshing.”

In the aftermath of Cinninger’s split from the band, screenshots of racist comments made by his @jakecinningerstudio Instagram account were shared by fans in various Umphrey’s McGee-related online forums. Cinninger later took responsibility and apologized for those comments in a statement to Live For Live Music, while the band condemned Cinninger’s racist rhetoric in a statement of its own. “Comments or language that demean, stereotype, or discriminate against others are not reflective of the band’s values, we do not support them, and we never will,” the Umphrey’s statement noted. “Our focus remains entirely on our music, our fans, and moving forward together as a five-piece.”

Ben Factor appeared to reference the recent turmoil in the announcement of his departure. “I know the timing of this update comes amidst a moment of great change for Umphrey’s so I want to be completely candid and transparent that this is a personal decision that has been in the works long before any lineup changes,” he wrote, adding, “I can’t wait to cheer you on in this new 5-piece era.”

“We love you Ben,” drummer Scotty Zwang wrote in the post’s comments. “You will be greatly missed but I’m so glad we got to share this journey together.

“Thanks for being such an amazing person & LD, wrapped into one,” added keyboardist Joel Cummins. “And a big extra thank you for also setting us up for success beyond your tenure…”

Read the full post from Ben Factor on his departure from Umphrey’s McGee below. Find a full list of upcoming Umphrey’s tour dates here.