The Disco Biscuits Are Back (At The Drive-In): Night 1 Of Yarmouth Is In The Books

Written by Zachary Franck
Photos by Andrew Scott Blackstein

            Last night was the Disco Biscuits’ first show back (in front of fans) since the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the country. As more and more jam bands adapted to producing drive-in shows, the Biscuits sat back and waited for their opportunity. Logistics are a little more complicated for them because they live in different cities across the country, from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. In true Biscuits fashion, they rolled with the punches and put together a legitimate run of outdoor shows before the weather gets too cold. After last night, they’re definitely happy that they did – the excitement and utter bliss that radiated from the stage was unmistakable.

            These shows are only going to get better.  Sure, they might have to shake off a little rust, but that’s totally natural. Night 1 was even better than expected. The weather was drier and warmer than forecasted, so that madethe experience even more enjoyable.. People flew in from all over the country to witness the return of the Disco Biscuits, and by most accounts, they were not disappointed. The Yarmouth Drive-in was operated with professionalism - accommodating staff, a spacious layout, and high quality LED screens for patrons in the back.

            With a balanced mix of old and new songs, they gave fans a taste of everything they were craving since the Fillmore run got cancelled back in March. A victorious vibe drifted through the air as they kicked off the night with a huge Spraypaint > Voices Insane. Barber was feeling it from the jump, cradling the Gibson like it was made of 24 karat gold. There was a sense of urgency in the music, but the band stayed pretty patient. The front three shot looks of approval across the stage at each other while Allen kept the train chugging along.
The juxtaposition of light to dark in the opening segment was quintessential Biscuits.

            If you had a good spot surrounded by people with proper sound setups, and you closed your eyes, it felt like you were at a festival – if only for a brief moment. It was almost reminiscent of car camping at Indian Lookout Country Club before Camp Bisco blew up in 2011.  When the opening notes of Crickets echoed from the stage, the fan reactions were priceless; scattered cheers echoed in unison through the crisp October air. The spacey ambient chords are one of the most familiar sections of any song in their catalogue. It provides a lofty canopy of sonics to get lost in. They played a charged up version that took fans on a cathartic ride through the night sky.

            Out of the new songs, 4th of July is arguably one of the most unique compositions. It has a lot of cool rhythmic accents, along with compacted emotions. The band stretched last night’s rendition out a little more than usual, and it was a huge success. Allen and Brownie sat in a rock solid pocket that gave Magner and Barber all the space in the world to paint melodies over. They utilized great control and communication to allow the music to take shape and lead the way. From there, they transitioned into Spacebirdmatingcall seamlessly. They stepped into the opening notes simultaneously which set them up for an exuberant jam. It was undoubtedly one of the tightest sections of music that the night had to offer.

            The world has definitely been spinning out of control as of late. There is a lot of uncertainty, especially when it comes to the live music industry. So, for the Disco Biscuits and their crew to be able to put together ten tour dates in fifteen days, it’s a feat that everybody is grateful for. It gives them a chance to support their families, along with crew members, all while quenching the thirst of their rabid fanbase. The first night of Yarmouth is in the books – one down, three to go. Buckle up, the Disco Biscuits are about to crank things up a notch.