For Marc Brownstein, things escalated quickly. The Disco Biscuits bassist had a rough start to 2021, testing positive for COVID-19 and being forced to sort through an all-too-familiar mix of show cancellations and postponements—as his band was in the midst of their biggest push in almost a decade.

However, as springtime rolled around, things turned a corner for the Disco Biscuits, and their planned mix of drive-in concerts and other socially distant appearances quickly blossomed into surprisingly normal-feeling family reunions. And, by the time the Philadelphia-bred band’s run reached Morrison, Colo.’s Red Rocks and New Haven, Conn.’s Westville Music Bowl in May and June, they were regularly spicing their setlists with song bust-outs, well-timed segues and even one of Brownstein’s “Nughuffer” narratives.

The unorthodox touring season also allotted Brownstein time to regroup with his longtime side-project Electron—which also features Biscuits keyboardist Aron Magner, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead/Ghost Light guitarist Tom Hamilton and Lotus drummer Mike Greenfield—for a special home-turf performance at Pennsylvania’s Ardmore Music Hall. Here, Brownstein looks back on one of his most unique springs in recent memory. The Disco Biscuits bassist inches closer to the light at the end of the tunnel thanks to a series of marquee socially distanced shows as well as a home-turf throwdown with his longtime side-project Electron.

After a year in quarantine, the crowd at Red Rocks was one of the highlights of my life. For so long, we had no idea when this moment was going to come. And it came even sooner than I had imagined. It was a welcome relief. (Photo by Sam Silkworth)

The thing about Red Rocks is that, for the first half of the day, it’s a tourist destination. This shot from Sam Silkworth illustrates why thousands of people make the pilgrimage simply to hike through the park every day. (Photo by Sam Silkworth)

As the lyrics to “Nughuffer” go: “Tango and bossanova/ Life is hard you cannot sit inside your house/ And wallow in self-pity.” Here’s Johnny R. Goode lighting up Red Rocks with some apropos green hues. (Photo by Sam Silkworth)

Tour rolls on from the best amphitheater in the country to the clear winner in the “Best New Venue” category. Westville Music Bowl has quickly become a jamband mecca on the East Coast. (Photo by Jeremy Gordon)

The calm before the storm—the Biscuits regularly play for three or four hours every day before the show even starts. (Photo by Jeremy Gordon)

It felt great to finally be back on stage at our hometown venue—Ardmore Music Hall. Electron at Ardmore is always a special treat, and this one felt especially special. (Photo by Ron Adelberg)

Barber and me in New Haven—“Hey man, you’ve got something stuck in your beard!” (Photo by Jeremy Gordon)