Though there were plenty of Halloween parties on the night of Petit Biscuit’s Presence tour, Power Rangers, ghosts, Zootopia characters and more flocked to Emo’s last Wednesday night. Of all the spooky performances to see, concert goers were ready to see the French DJ perform live.
Photos by Rachel Lai
A sizeable crowd had gathered by the time the opener, MELVV, had taken the stage. Large cheers erupted between songs, that ranged from Post Malone remixes to Billie Eilish and Droeloe mash ups. The enthusiasm was palpable as a few fans waved to a happily surprised MELVV. By the time his set was over, the crowd was more than eager for Petit Biscuit to take the stage.
Mehdi Benjelloun, the 19 year-old producer behind Petit Biscuit, started playing music at an early age, taking up piano, cello and guitar. However, once he began to experiment with electronic sounds, he became quickly enamored with the endless possibilities he could create, blending classical and electronic elements into his atmospheric, techno sound.
A shimmering build with twinkling synths started off the night before a high-energy Benjelloun bounded on stage shouting, “What is up, Austin?” Petit Biscuit kept the energy high throughout the set, moving effortlessly between drum pads, MIDI keyboards and an electric guitar. He rounded out the night by running to the front of the stage and jumping in time with the crowd, just inches away from the explosive cryo cannons launching confetti on his right and left.
The Presence tour marks his first headlining tour in the US, following the release of his first full-length LP of the same title. His set featured a broad range of sounds, from popular upbeat tracks like “Problems” and “Waterfall” to the widely streamed “Sunset Lover”. His two newest singles, “Suffer” and “Safe” were also woven in, introducing a darker, yet just as danceable punch to his more ambient house arrangements. Petit Biscuit ended the night with thanks, expressing gratitude for his fans and his team. With a commendable repertoire under his belt at such a young age, Petit Biscuit’s future will undoubtedly shine on.
