Music

January 20, 2017

The Friday Review: I See You by the xx

By Ryan Hykes

For fans of the xx’s previous work, this album keeps their atmospheric instrumentation and their oft-touched themes of love and loneliness.

January 18, 2017

Dawes, Dad Rock and the Modern Meaning of Genre

By Zoe Jones

Genres are, in fact, boxes; they’re compartmentalized for conveniently choosing what we want to consume in a culture constantly flooded with new music. However, some music is best created by challenging these very cate...

January 4, 2017

Artsweek’s Favorite Albums of 2016

By Artsweek Staff

All in all, 2016 was one hell of a year. And, as with any particularly tumultuous time, it left us with some amazing music.

December 5, 2016

Get Groovy with Marc E. Bassy at Velvet Jones

By Tracy Smith

Several of us will be experiencing a different kind of pain as we endure finals week, which is why seeing Marc E. Bassy when he hits Velvet Jones next Wednesday will be the perfect remedy.

November 30, 2016

Ten Songs for the Turkey Drop

By Ryan Hykes

If you were a victim of the Turkey Drop, the excitement of seeing your significant other back home after months away at college turned to crying by a leftover turkey sandwich when they said it wasn’t working out.

November 30, 2016

21 Savage to Hit Velvet Jones

By Tracy Smith

21 Savage is young, charismatic and will not filter himself for anyone.

November 28, 2016

Neko Case Enchants Campbell Hall

By Erica Kaplan

There was something pure of the way Case poured her heart into her own words, making them echo against the walls of Campbell hall with intention.

November 17, 2016

Camp Flog Gnaw Festival Returns to L.A.

By William Emmons

Ultimately, Tyler, The Creator exceeded the expectations of many music-lovers and critics and established his illustrious carnival as a staple of the West Coast festival scene.

November 12, 2016

The Garden Rocks Velvet Jones

By Jasmine Rodriguez

In The Garden’s world, there is no focus on wanting to fit in with what is deemed to be cool in the punk scene. They dare to defy gender roles, genre molds and the tangents of normality.

November 10, 2016

First Lady of Folk Joan Baez Sparkles at Arlington

By Tamara Luechinger

For the past 50 years, Baez — a dedicated social activist — has explored forms of social expression through her music.

November 10, 2016

Morrissey Lights Santa Barbara Aglow for Dia de Los Muertos

By Jack Wallace

As I passed a group of sequin-clad skeletons savaging a Donald Trump piñata, something occurred to me: Morrissey couldn’t have picked a better event to play.

November 8, 2016

Election 2016: 6 Songs for a Young, Apprehensive Voter

By Zoe Jones

Let’s cling to our technology, put our earphones on and reflect on politically aware songs of the past and present.

November 3, 2016

Zakir Hussain Taps Whirlwind Beats at A&L Performance

By Celie Hunt-Mitchard

November 3, 2016

Dia de Los Muertos Celebration Gives Us Vida

By Kelly McPhail

The small venue was filled to the brim with Day of the Dead decorations. Paper marigolds were placed in every available space and paper streamers lined the walls.

November 2, 2016

Delirium 2016: UCStillBrazy

By Daniel Gitlin

Questions about the reputation of UCSB’s legendary legacy have underscored the anxiety surrounding the extensive security measures. However, the enthusiasm toward the annual Delirium concert has come to replace this lo...