Andrew Cheng
Contributing Writer
For many UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) students, the night of May 8 at The Hub was a night to remember. The band Greer was set to perform their latest album, “Big Smile,” the first album the band released after a 3-year pause that features a collection of songs with the theme of rediscovering their sound and searching for a common goal. Before Greer took the stage, a guitarist and pianist UCSB alumni delivered a solo performance as the opening act.
Wearing a blue shirt, jeans, and sandals, the UCSB alumni played his new album on both guitar and piano in a relaxed and comfortable tone. His lyrics included lines like, “Because it’s a digital world” and “So look up from your phone,” reflecting the reality of the contemporary age. Notably, the songs were written back when he was in the UCSB dorm rooms, capturing the campus’s creative spirit. When he finished, the audience responded with claps and cheers. After his set, a brief 10-minute wait ensued before the much-anticipated arrival of Greer.
As the moment approached, excitement mounted. The stage lights flashed in vibrant colors, and lively background music filled the room with an energetic vibe. The instruments on stage were arranged in a surprising setup, with the drums at the center showcasing a clear yellow inscription of “Greer,” which stood out vividly against the other instruments.
Finally, the band members of Greer appeared amidst loud cheers and exciting shouts of “wooo!” Corbin, the guitarist, came out with his yellow guitar strapped to his back. He had both of his hands holding drinks, a cup of coffee and a bottle of wine, adding to the relaxed and approachable image of the band. Following him, Josiah, the vocalist, and Lucas, the drummer, also came onstage with guitars strapped to their backs, both holding a white piece of paper. The members of Greer all danced and shifted their bodies in rhythm with the vivid music, with each person moving confidently around on the stage.
During the performance, band members shouted greetings to the crowd. One member of Greer asked, “How is everyone tonight?” followed by, “Are you all going to UC Santa Barbara?” to which the audience responded enthusiastically, “Yes!” Corbin noted that this was the first time Greer had performed at UCSB and that this was their very first college show, adding a personal touch. As Greer was getting ready and warmed up, with Corbin tuning his guitar, Josiah saluted the crowd twice.
Greer’s first song of the night was “Omnibus,” beginning with the lyrics “You saw a sign, it was covered up in lines between your hair.” The band’s intensity was evident: each member played with heartfelt passion, fluid movements, and rhythmic, tilting guitars, seamlessly synchronizing themselves with the flashing stage lights.
Greer also would showcase songs from the latest edition of the band’s most recent album. For example, the band performed the song “Mugwump” as part of the “Big Smile” album, with lyrics that started with “Wake up in your room to see the dust that’s in your eyes.” All of the songs played by Greer either had a sentimental, emotional tone or an energetic and exciting tone.
Throughout the show, the crowd danced and sometimes sang along. Some audience members were fully immersed in the experience while others simply enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere. The night was not just about music; it was about a shared feeling of love and passion united by Greer.