This edition of ON the Beat was originally emailed to subscribers on June 15, 2023. To receive Josef Woodard’s music newsletter in your inbox each Thursday, sign up at independent.com/newsletters.
Acoustic Adieu, For Now
Since 2016, many a fine acoustic guitar picker has graced our town with intimate concertizing thanks to the stubborn vision of one Kevin Gillies and his aptly-named SBAcoustic . Gillies, a luthier, guitarist, and acoustic guitar/instrument champion who wended south to Santa Barbara from NorCal, blew into town with some big ideas and energy. He created a short-lived but impressive guitar convention at Earl Warren Showgrounds and then launched his concert/gig series in spaces including the loveable Alhecama Theater and the last few years on Sunday nights at SOhO.