Review | Rebelution at the Santa Barbara Bowl

It’s that time of year again when reggae reigns supreme at the Santa Barbara Bowl. Summer pastime Rebelution, who performed two consecutive nights in Santa Barbara on August 14 and 15, took place. The Isla Vista-founded band’s annual visit is always a local favorite on the Bowl’s concert schedule, where you’re guaranteed to spot a familiar face among the reggae-loving crowd. A warm summer night provided the ideal stage for Rebelution to debut their new Good Vibes Cali Tour 2024 show right in their own backyard.

The reggae vibe was set early with performances by Cydeways, Collie Buddz and Kolohe Kai. I admit that I listened to the opening acts at the top of the Bowl and enjoyed the spectacular sunset over Santa Barbara with some friends I recognized from afar. Nonetheless, the heavy bass and the smell of cannabis wafting up to the top of the Bowl were signs of a memorable show.

As Rebelution took the stage, Isla Vista native lead singer Eric Rachmany was all smiles. The enthusiastic crowd jammed through a setlist of their best reggae hits and sang along to their favorite songs, including “Count Me In,” “Lazy Afternoon,” “Green to Black,” and their most popular song, “Safe and Sound,” to name a few.

Rebelution showcased its catalog of reggae music, which crosses over into some rock, folk, pop and rhythm elements. One moment, the bright lasers were sporadic and directionless, flickering on and off while the heavy rock-influenced song “Lady in White” played. A few songs later, they transitioned into a rendition of “Fade Away” that brought the crowd to its feet and had lighters and cell phone flashlights twinkling in unison under the night sky. While the contrast of the two songs showcased the range of Rebelution’s sound, the spotlight belongs to the way the band naturally connects with the warm and welcoming Santa Barbara crowd.

While one always expects an impressive stage presence from the Grammy-nominated reggae band, it’s no surprise that Rachmany’s live vocals are almost identical to the studio versions of Rebelution’s music. Standout solos from saxophonists (Eric Hirschhorn) and trumpet player (Zach Meyerowitz) have given Rebelution its unique and distinctive sound since 2004, adding a bright and bold touch to the up-tempo reggae pieces while blowing their horns front and center on stage. Founding members and UCSB graduates Rory Carey, Marley D. Williams and Wesley Finley have left their mark and also delivered outstanding performances on their respective instruments.

A new trick from Rebelution, at least since I last saw them in 2017, was an updated visual light show that took place behind the band. Pulsating lights and lasers aren’t something you often see at a reggae show, but it added an extra layer of spectacularity to the performance. As shimmering bubbles floated through the air and lasers beamed into the sky, the melodic sounds of guitar and bass went hand in hand during their rendition of “Safe and Sound.”

The one-and-a-half-hour concert concluded with performances of “Feeling Alright” and “Bright Side of Life.” The perfect choice of songs to put an exclamation mark on the tour, aptly named “Good Vibes.” I will be dreaming well and happy until the good vibes of Rebelution return to the Bowl next year.