What to Expect at City Bisco 2014
Philly jam giants Disco Biscuits (DB) might have taken a summer off from their 14-year-strong electronica festival Camp Bisco. But commitment to their fledgling hometown annual run City Bisco has hardly stalled. Adding a third day and two new venues to this year’s chapter, the party’s only on the up and up.
For unfamiliar ears, the Biscuits’ claim to fame is their trademark trance fusion—a genre-bending hybrid of jam, electronica and psychedelia that opened countless doors for likeminded torchbearers of The Grateful Dead and Phish.
Where last year’s City Bisco lineup favored hip-hop legends Big Boi, Method Man and Redman, this year’s supporting acts complement a return to the roots for the hometown heroes.
The Biscuits will have the stage to themselves for night one, a sold-out show on Thursday, September 24th at the Trocadero (because Thursdays are contractually reserved for throwing back to the 90s at this point).
Friday moves to the Electric Factory, where the floor opens for supporting bands, like American Babies, the latest project from Philly scene veteran and longtime DB partner-in-crime Tommy Hamilton (of Brothers Past). Containing members and touring musicians of The Brakes, The Slip and Lee “Scratch” Perry, they’re likely to bring more than a few dub and country influences under the surface of their brand of indie rock.
Saturday, the party moves to the more expansive Mann Center, and the supporting acts multiply accordingly: Risky Disko—brainchild of Philly DJs Greg D. and Crouse, the group has a not-so-secret love affair with dance music in any and every incarnation, drawing samples from hip-hop as often as 70s disco or 90s house.
Also on the bill, Chicago DJ collective Orchard Lounge specializes in the elusive nexus between funk, house and psych-disco. As familiar with festival stages and concert venues as club and dancefloor sets, Orchard has something of a mission statement of getting a party going regardless of the setting or vibe.
So be sure to break out your dancing shoes. Or maybe glow sticks to throw at people who tell you to break out your dancing shoes. And stay tuned to Ticket for photos of the three-day shenanigans.
City Bisco takes place Thursday, September 24th to Saturday, September 26th. For more information and tickets, go here.
