What Is the History of Sings Like Hell and Which Artists Have Performed?

Sings Like Hell is a critically acclaimed concert series at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, California. Its history is defined by a deliberate mix: major names who could fill much larger venues have appeared, but the series keeps its focus on emerging talent and established songwriters still writing compelling songs. Past performers named by the series include Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Tracy Chapman, Randy Newman, Jeff Bridges and John Hiatt.

What Kind of Series Is It?

Sings Like Hell describes itself as "a radical, critically-acclaimed series of musical concerts" presented at the Lobero Theatre. The programming is songwriter-centered rather than tied to a single genre, and the series positions itself as "a place to discover new music."

That mission shows up in how the lineup is built. The series has been "honored by the generous appearance of artists who can sell out much larger venues," yet its stated focus "remains on emerging talent and on established songwriters who are continuing to write compelling songs."

Which Artists Have Performed?

The series' own history page names these past performers:

• Jackson Browne
• David Crosby
• Tracy Chapman
• Randy Newman
• Jeff Bridges
• John Hiatt

The site presents this list as examples ("to name a few"), so it is not a complete roster of everyone who has appeared.

How the Current Series Fits the Pattern

The current series, Sings Like Hell #42, pairs a headliner with a second act across three Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m.:

The pairing format reflects the series' stated balance: recognizable songwriters alongside newer or complementary artists.

Practical Details for Attendees

• Subscription price: $90 for all three shows, described on the site as "a hell of a deal."
• Perks: Subscribers can "party with the artists after each show," according to the series.
• Where to buy: Series #42 subscriptions and single tickets are available at the Lobero Theatre Box Office — call 805-963-0761 or visit lobero.org.
• Questions: Contact Peggie Jones at 512-751-1170 or [email protected].

The site also notes that the series accepts donations ("Help keep the hell fires burning"), separate from ticket purchases.

What to Expect

If you are deciding whether to attend, the history suggests two things. First, the series has a track record of drawing artists with much larger followings, so individual shows can feature names bigger than the venue implies. Second, the stated curatorial focus is on songwriting and discovery, which makes it a reasonable choice if you want to hear strong writers in an intimate theatre setting rather than a greatest-hits arena show.