Music
The ladies were out in full force this year, with the Santa Barbara Bowl and the more intimate Lobero Theatre playing host to a fine smattering of hard-rockin’ and power-poppin’ megastars of the female persuasion.
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In early November, ska band frontwoman turned solo pop tartlet Gwen Stefani said goodbye to her one-woman recording endeavors from atop the hills of Santa Barbara, announcing her return to No Doubt on the final night of her Sweet Escape Tour. View photo »
This year’s Bowl season also saw the comings and goings of rock ’n’ roll goddess Chrissie Hynde and her newly re-formed Pretenders, who played the classics to a packed house of music fans old and young. View photo »
On a smaller — but equally impressive — scale, Canadian twin songstresses Tegan and Sara brought their angsty blend of emo rock and upbeat pop to a costumed crowd at the Lobero on Halloween, providing few tricks but plenty of aural treats to a throng of loyal followers. View photo »
Icons and up-and-comers all flocked to Santa Barbara this year, providing rock shows that were as jaw-dropping in scope and execution as they were intimately memorable. Early on, self-proclaimed rock gods Tenacious D it the stage at the Arlington and put on a show that was light on the concert, heavy on the rock opera, in honor of their recently released film, The Pick of Destiny. View photo »
July saw Irish natives Snow Patrol cross the pond for a rollicking show at the Santa Barbara Bowl that incited riots, sing-alongs, and copious consumption from some of UCSB’s more avid exchange students. View photo »
This year truly belonged to the stylings of some of rock ’n’ roll’s more prolific figures. This October, former Smiths frontman Morrissey proved that growing up won’t slow him down when he put on an intimate but powerful solo performance at the Bowl. View photo »
Nothing could top the magical Stevie Wonder, who dazzled the Bowl audience as part of his first American concert tour in more than a decade. It made for a wondrous, one-of-a-kind night, sure to burn brightly forever in the memories of those who attended. View photo »
Jazzheads and classical music hounds found their ears in sonic heaven this year, usually within the walls of Campbell Hall, the Arlington, or the Lobero. There was Bobby McFerrin, who brought a 12-voice choir to Campbell Hall and improvised for hours, often including a rapt and tuneful audience in the piece. View photo »
Itzhak Perlman brought his “Soil” Stradivarius and pianist Rohan De Silva to the same venue on a rainy Saturday afternoon in January for music by Franz Schubert, Lukas Foss, and Fritz Kreisler. View photo »
The Santa Barbara Symphony found new life this year in its Arlington home under the direction of Nir Kabaretti. View photo »
The same venue hosted Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble in March. View photo »
As for true musical legends, Tony Bennett showed that he’s still got it at 81 years old during a show at the Bowl. View photo »
Dave Brubeck made another annual visit to the Lobero, one of his favorite places to play. View photo »
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