When Blink Hit Santa Barbara Like a Wednesday Night.

There’s nothing more energetic about the 805 area code than when the Santa Barbara bowl is filled to the brim with attendees, and when that occasion takes place – you know it’s going to be a great night. With a season that’s displayed a variety of genres thus far, this venue has encountered it all. Last month, So-Cal rock legends Blink-182 made their much-anticipated return to SB after headlining the KJEE Summer Round-up back in September of 2013. Since then, it’s safe to say a lot has changed. The band released a new record this year titled California, (who’s cover art was designed by D*face), and this wasn’t the only thing different about the band. Earlier in 2015, news broke out that one of the original members, Tom DeLonge had officially parted ways from the band. Remaining members Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker, would continue playing and making music as Blink-182, but Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio would step in as DeLonge’s replacement. Fast forward to October 5, 2016 (which happened to be a Wednesday night), and we found ourselves immediately wedged in between the excitement and chaos that would soon occupy the Bowl.

The All-American Rejects (AAR) kicked off the evening with a set that nailed everything you could ask for in the short period of time they spent on stage. Even though it’s been a hot minute since AAR last released an album, that didn’t stop Tyson Ritter and the rest of the band from delivering a performance that made it hard not to engage in, regardless if you were in the pit or not. The air reaked of nostalgia as the Stillwater rock band cranked out hit after hit, eventually transforming the bowl into one giant (yet brief) sing-a-long.
 

Following AAR, A Day to Remember made their Santa Barbara debut as the sun had started its descent into the evening. Once the sun had parted, it was pretty clear why the alt-rockers needed the sun out of their way and that the night time was their time to unleash hits from the band’s new album Bad Vibrations. If you looked around at this point, you’d realize the bowl was maxed out with nothing but fans of all ages and walks of life. The aroma of excitement had stretched across every square foot of the venue once stagehands hit the area, as everyone anxiously waited for the curtain to drop and reveal the the grand finale, Blink-182.



As the masses made their way back down the hill to reality, it was bittersweet realizing that the end of the concert season was just around the corner. Thanks to Goldenvoice for allowing Let Your Ears Decide to take part in another amazing show for the books, and as always a special shout-out goes to Jessica Puchli.