Their famous concerts are known to absolutely rock the socks off audiences with over three hours of live, improvisational magic, filled with a mix of EDM, electronic rock and funk. Join the Disco Biscuits on tour as they retake the stage in 2022 to experience an epic show that redefines musical performance and artistic expression. Since then, they've released 18 albums and two EPs - an impressive feat for a band with no affiliation to a mainstream record label. Not long after the release of their debut album, 1996's Encephalus Crime, the Disco Biscuits toured with the likes of the Jerry Garcia Band, Morphine and The Black Crowes. The quartet - originally comprised of guitarist and vocalist Jon "The Barber" Gutwillig, bassist and vocalist Marc Brownstein, keyboardist Ben Hayflick (replaced by Aron Magner in 1995), and drummer Sam Altman (later replaced by Allen Aucoin in 2005) - is famous for bridging the gap between electronica and psychedelic rock, creating an entire genre known as "trance fusion." Drawing on elements from two seemingly disparate music genres, their compelling rhythms and complex blend of classical, jazz, funk, techno, and soul have mesmerized fans for decades. But I imagine for a more mainstream act the crowd would be more sardine-packed than it was Saturday night.Godfathers of the modern jam band movement, the Disco Biscuits emerged out of Philadelphia in 1995 and quickly became one of the most successful independent bands in the country. The Fillmore was also so big that we had a decent amount of dancing room throughout the show (and dancing room is KEY). Their music moves you regardless of how many songs you may or may not recognize, and the fans are always welcoming to their fellow concert neighbors.Ĭonsidering it was an indoor show in the middle of winter, the outfits people wore were not as over-the-top as I had anticipated. Guys and girls were still rocking the flat brimmed hats with pins of similar bands, but I didn't see any of the LED hoopers or people with light-up gloves creating kaleidoscopic visuals in the crowd. Regardless of how familiar you are before the show, there is no sense of competition or "I'm more into them" fans when the Biscuits start to play. The range of Biscuits fans is far and wide: You have the fanatic fans who have seen upwards of 100+ shows, to the regulars who catch at least 2-4 shows a year, to the New Year's Eve hooligans who *somehow* make it through 4 nights of dancing until their legs go numb, and the newbies (like me) who have constantly heard about the Biscuits but only saw them once or twice. Nonetheless, any spot on the first floor is a great view of the stage. ![]() Had we went straight there when we arrived we could have had an aerial view of this gorgeous venue. Hidden Gem: We learned all too late that the upper balcony with cushioned, stadium seats are first-come first-serve to 21+ on the night of the show. The main stage room is very wide, has incredibly high ceilings, 2 bars on the left and right sides and another bar directly behind the crowd. The Fillmore is a giant warehouse decorated with a modern twist on rustic American life: From a 70's transplant mini-van for selling merchandise to an enormous American flag wall behind one of the many bars inside the venue. The Fillmore Philadelphia recently opened in fall 2015, and after several friends raved about this venue, I completely agree that it is the best live music venue in Philly. Overall, going to a Biscuits show is one hell of an experience, and that has a large part to do with the people surrounding you. However, my recent epiphany of love for The Dead has me falling more on the side of groovy instrumentals and meaningful lyrics. Or, you may find the notion of continuously energizing improv an utterly mind-boggling experience. As a classically trained musician, I can go either way on music with or without lyrics. Now, you may find this completely boring if you're a lyrics lover, and that's cool. ![]() I can promise you will hear 3 "songs" at a Disco Biscuit show: The first set, the second set, and the encore.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |