In my opinion: A Biscuits show brings out some of the friendliest people who love to dance like nobody is watching. You can groove, grind, and express yourself however you please—but be prepared for 3+ hours of a non-stop dance party. Supportive shoes encouraged.
Set List - February 5, 2016
Set 1: Pilin' It Higher, Strobelights and Martinis > Air Song > Vassillios > Moshi Fameus, Magellan
Set 2: Little Shimmy in a Conga Line > Cyclone > Little Shimmy in a Conga Line > M.E.M.P.H.I.S. > Shem-Ra-Boo > Kamaole Sands
Encore: On Time
The Band: The Disco Biscuits
The Disco Biscuits have been a household name in the jam band scene for over two decades. With lengthy national tours and their self-titled electronic and jam band music festival, Camp Bisco, the Biscuits have one of the most loyal fan followings in the industry. If you're looking for a night of non-stop grooving to trance fusion music, and a mind-blowing laser show that is almost schizophrenic at times, then a Biscuit show should be on your live concert to-do list.
I can promise you will hear 3 "songs" at a Disco Biscuit show: The first set, the second set, and the encore. They literally never. stop. jamming.
Now, you may find this completely boring if you're a lyrics lover, and that's cool. 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. However, my recent epiphany of love for The Dead has me falling more on the side of groovy instrumentals and meaningful lyrics. 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.
The Venue: The Fillmore Philadelphia
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. 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 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.
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. Had we went straight there when we arrived we could have had an aerial view of this gorgeous venue. Nonetheless, any spot on the first floor is a great view of the stage.
The Crowd: Surprisingly Well-Behaved
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.
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. 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.
Considering 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. The Fillmore was also so big that we had a decent amount of dancing room throughout the show (and dancing room is KEY). But I imagine for a more mainstream act the crowd would be more sardine-packed than it was Saturday night.
Either way, you absolutely need to make plans to see a show at The Fillmore this year (and here is the link to do so)!