Music

Artsweek’s Favorite Albums of 2016

All in all, 2016 was one hell of a year. And, as with any particularly tumultuous time, it left us with some amazing music.
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Get Groovy with Marc E. Bassy at Velvet Jones

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.
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Ten Songs for the Turkey Drop

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’...
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21 Savage to Hit Velvet Jones

21 Savage is young, charismatic and will not filter himself for anyone.
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Neko Case Enchants Campbell Hall

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.
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Camp Flog Gnaw Festival Returns to L.A.

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.
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The Garden Rocks Velvet Jones

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.
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First Lady of Folk Joan Baez Sparkles at Arlington

For the past 50 years, Baez — a dedicated social activist — has explored forms of social expression through her music.
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Morrissey Lights Santa Barbara Aglow for Dia de Los Muertos

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.
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Election 2016: 6 Songs for a Young, Apprehensive Voter

Let’s cling to our technology, put our earphones on and reflect on politically aware songs of the past and present.
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Zakir Hussain Taps Whirlwind Beats at A&L Performance

Santa Barbara was fortunate enough to host Zakir Hussain, one of the world’s most acclaimed tabla drummers. Rising star Niladri Kumar accompanied Hussain on the sitar, which he specially modified to...
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Dia de Los Muertos Celebration Gives Us Vida

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.
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Delirium 2016: UCStillBrazy

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 com...
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Maceo Parker Brings Legendary Funk to Campbell Hall

UCSB’s own Campbell Hall hosted a performance by the legendary funk and soul jazz saxophonist Maceo Parker as a part of Arts & Lectures’ Roots Series
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New Noise Serves up a Dose of SB Culture, Tunes

This wasn’t a massive festival where you are separated from those performing by an endless sea of people. Anyone could go up and talk to them because they were just people enjoying the community lik...
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