The Disco Biscuits extended their nationwide Why We Dance tour with a performance at the historic F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on Thursday night. Following an impressive series of shows in New England, with the rising star Karina Rykman supporting, the Philadelphia-based quartet brought their pre-album release excitement to the eager crowd in northeast Pennsylvania. With their new album, Revolution in Motion, set to hit streaming platforms at midnight on Friday, the show focused on material not featured on the forthcoming release.
The evening began with a trance-like yet frenetic rendition of Aram Khatchaturian's orchestral piece, “Sabre Dance,” a rare choice for an opener that had not been seen since 2003. They swiftly transitioned into the 2006 hit “Caterpillar,” showcasing their remarkable synergy. Aaron Magner (keys/vocals) and Jon Gutwillig (guitar/vocals) took turns leading the jam, while Marc Brownstein (bass/vocals) and Allen Aucoin (drums) maintained a tight rhythm, keeping the audience moving and the band in harmony.
The jam on “Caterpillar” seamlessly flowed into a unique inverted version of “Strobelights and Martinis.” The Disco Biscuits are known for their playful approach to live song arrangements, with an “inverted” version meaning they segue out of one song before its conclusion, introduce the ending of another song, and then circle back to the beginning of the latter. “Photograph” followed, leading to another rarity—an inverted “Crickets” that transitioned back into “Caterpillar” to conclude the set.
The second set opened with the late '90s favorite “Shem-Rah Boo,” paving the way for a non-stop segue experience. A blend of old and new emerged as “Shem-Rah Boo” gave way to the 2023 original “Falling,” which then moved into the night's final inverted piece, “Above the Waves.” The set wrapped up with a concise “Tamarin Alley,” which led back into “Shem-Rah Boo.” After a warm round of applause, the band returned for an encore with the energetic “Highwire,” leaving the audience delighted.
Don't miss their new album, Revolution in Motion, releasing on 3/29, and catch them on tour in New York before they head south in April.
Set 1: Sabre Dance, Caterpillar > Strobelights and Martinis > Photograph > Crickets > Caterpillar
Set 2: Shem-Rah Boo > Falling > Above The Waves > Tamarin Alley > Shem-Rah Boo
Encore: Highwire
