by Liselle Wilsnaugh
Lead Photo by Mark Krynsky, CC
As I slowly walk up the pathway through “the glen”, past the various bars, I soak in the ambiance of this incredible concert venue. Yes, I had signed up for my second season as an usher at the Santa Barbara Bowl.
You must pace yourself. Too fast and you will be out of breath before you even hit the first set of stairs. And to get to my “perch”, in the “nosebleed” section, I have a few more sets of stairs to conquer.
The “hot corner” as it is affectionately known, is a crazy little choke point at the top of the Bowl. It’s the only entrance to the upper patio and lookout. From there you can see the whole of Santa Barbara as you sip on a beverage and listen to the opening bands while the sun sets. Pretty sublime. It’s also a great little vantage point to behold the entirety of the Santa Barbara Bowl, the audience, the stage, and maybe even a glimpse of the ocean.
Natalie Merchant performs live at the Santa Barbara Bowl in 2017. Photo by Justin Higuchi, CC.
As a die hard, live music fan, stumbling on this volunteer usher role, was one of the better things that has happened to me while living in Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Bowl is a 4,562-seat amphitheater, located in Santa Barbara, California. With an average of about 27 concerts per season, since 1991, the it has been managed by the not-for-profit Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation.
Lionel Richie, Depeche Mode, Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Strings, Willie Nelson, Lauren Daigle, you name it. It has become a favorite stop for many bands touring the west coast. Also, it’s a happy diversion from the summer festival circuit that so many musicians sign up for.
Even though you stand for an average of six hours per concert as volunteer, keeping a smile on your face while you show people to their seats, there is never a dull moment. Working alongside the security staff, we are also there to keep the peace and help many an inebriated patron, sometimes in high heels, navigate the steep staircase down to the main plaza and exit. It’s also a great spot both for people-watching and band-watching. When you are blessed to see some of the best bands in the world, on a weekly basis, this self-confessed music snob, is both amazed and appalled when practicing both.
Radiohead plays the 2008 Bowl. Photo by Josh Mock, CC
In a previous life, I worked as an A&R manager in the music industry in the UK. “Artist and Repertoire,” is a term used in the music industry to describe the process of scouting and signing new artists, as well as managing their careers. I was paid to judge and critique bands, deciding whether or not I signed them to the record label.
At the Bowl, I get to do this at every concert—agreed, as an unpaid volunteer—but with no less enjoyment as before. Possibly not an enviable personality trait, but as a musician, it’s like I go to a masterclass on live performance at every gig. Some bands excel at the task at hand, a few are simply trying to survive the biggest show of their lives.
Want to book your seat? The 2024 program runs from April 10 to September 21. Purchase tickets or check out the lineup in the Santa Barbara Bowl Guide here. And the Santa Barbara Bowl announces annual volunteer gigs on its Facebook page. Opportunities include parking attendant, security and usher.
