Belle and Sebastian at the SB Bowl

 A sweet and nostalgic feeling was in the air as Belle and Sebastian took the stage at the Santa Barbara Bowl. With a witty" over the pond" sense of humor and a charisma that could only be Stuart Murdoch, Belle and Sebastian delivered a fun, laid- back performance that had the audience swaying and singing along, as many of their tunes are associated with people's childhoods. With quintessential indie-pop numbers like " I Want the World to Stop" and classics like "Piazza New York Catcher" , the band created a relaxing atmosphere that matched the dewy evening. As their first performance at the Santa Barbara Bowl, the band took full advantage of the open-air venue, as Stuart Murdoch frolicked through the crowds, spreading good vibes that were felt by everyone there. Belle and Sebastian has had a lasting quality because of their music's ability to appeal to a wide variety of demographics. Albums like "Write About Love" are cherished by both both young college students and older couples alike. It's the sensitive nature of their lyrics and their playful yet at times melancholy song structure that gives you a similar feeling to listening to a band like The Cure, which certain tunes of Belle and Sebastian is reminiscent of. Their music is the bridge between 80's classics into the evolution of indie-pop; a genre that Belle and Sebastian may very well have been one of the creators of. Established in the 90's, Belle and Sebastian has still managed to keep things modern and fun, while staying true to their roots, as there is a smooth yet progressive transition from their earlier albums like "Tigermilk" and  "If You're Feeling Sinister" to more recent albums like "Write About Love". The slight disco-esq beats and delicate, yet poignant vocals blend together to create a product that embodies a decade yet has stayed fresh enough to be just as interesting to listen to as they were ten years ago. The beauty of Belle and Sebastian is that its as if time has had no real meaning- they're having just as good of a time, if not better, as they did when they first started performing. The band's chemistry with each other along with the string quartet, gave their sound more of a depth and a slight folksy sound that was both unexpected and refreshing. There is a kind of warmth that Belle and Sebastian brings to a performance; it is their genuine love for the music they play and the respect they have for each other that has given this band the lasting quality that so many bands crave for.  Violinist and main vocalist Sarah Martin, along with Stuart Murdoch played a plethora of instruments during the performance, portraying that each individual member of the band is very talented individually as well; the manipulation of so many different instruments has led to a band that is sure to continue to impress crowds well into the coming years; the Santa Barbara Bowl audience sure was.

Belle and Sebastian