How Shabang is Building The Next Generation of Festival Fans
By: Phoebe Choi, FestForums | May 11, 2026
Now in its 12th year, Shabang brought together artists of various media and tunes of all kinds this past weekend. We caught up with Hailey Cadmus, a former UCSB student and Shabang 2026 ambassador. Hailey shared a unique perspective from a brand ambassador standpoint to attending the festival itself. Long before she ever stepped through the gates on opening day, she was already part of the scene: tabling on campus, putting up flyers around the dorms, encouraging her friends and classmates to attend, and genuinely believing in what Shabang was building.
What makes Hailey particularly valuable is her perspective. When you've spent weeks as an advocate for an event building genuine excitement in others, you arrive on opening day with a unique kind of investment.
The Sets That Made the Weekend
Hailey went in with a clear must-see at the top of her list: The Backseat Lovers.
"I thought their set was so well done and the environment was extremely fun," she says. The highlight? When the band launched into Pool House — one of their most beloved tracks — and the entire crowd sang every single word back to them. Those are the moments that remind you of why live music exists.
But the weekend had more than one standout. Magdalena Bay brought a perfectly chilled vibe that matched the energy of the moment, and DJ Mandy brought the heat with an upbeat set that had the whole crowd locked in. And in a fun surprise moment, The Backseat Lovers pulled someone from the audience up on stage to sing Kilby Girl with them. That’s the kind of spontaneous and joyful moment you genuinely can't plan for.
"Everyone I encountered seemed to be having a great time and was just happy to be enjoying the music," she says. Crowds sang along. Artists called out and the audience responded.
More Than Just Music
What made Shabang feel truly unique, according to Hailey, was the community in the crowd. One of the things that sets a great festival apart from a good one is what happens between the sets and Shabang had plenty to offer.
Hailey and her friends stumbled across Acro Yoga, a spray paint wall, and a "Twerk Shop" (yes, really). The spray paint wall was a particular highlight. "It made it feel like we were able to leave our mark on the festival," Hailey says. "I think this fostered good community amongst attendees." There was also a Surfside photo booth that was a crowd favorite.
But the most unexpected experience of the whole weekend? The Book More Women panel.
"I did not expect to get the chance to talk to artists I had been excited to see perform," Hailey says, mentioning Annie DeRusso and Jackie Hollander specifically. "I learned a lot from their insight and thought sitting to listen was a great break from the sometimes overwhelming festival atmosphere."
A panel at a music festival that genuinely adds value and gives attendees a chance to connect with the artists they'd just been watching on stage. That's the kind of programming that elevates an event from fun to meaningful.
Becoming a Shabang Ambassador
As a campus ambassador, Hailey helped build the buzz around the festival. In the lead-up to the event, that meant tabling at UCSB, putting up flyers around the dorms and local town, and working behind the scenes at pre-festival events like a festival-themed band night at a local restaurant and music trivia at a nearby brewery.
"Being an ambassador made me more excited and knowledgeable going into the festival," she says. "I felt well-versed in the lineup and other important information. And since I had been convincing others to attend for so long, I had personally looked forward to it a lot."
That's the magic of a well-run ambassador program. It doesn't just spread the word, it creates genuine advocates.
Ambassador programs are key to integrating the younger generation into the festival and live events space. Providing hands-on experience and instilling responsibilities that students can manage on their own gives a quick glimpse into the industry.
"Something special about Shabang is its primarily young attendee base," she says. "It was really special to see so many college students in one space enjoying the same things. I think it brought together a great community amongst students and created a space for everyone to have fun and connect with one another."
Advice For First-Timers
If you're heading to Shabang for the first time, take it from Hailey: "Keep an open mind about smaller artists and activities. Attending sets that I had not planned to and participating in activities such as Acro Yoga were some of the highlights of my time at Shabang and provided me with a well-rounded experience."
Go in with an open schedule, wander a little, and let the festival surprise you. And it will!
Shabang is an annual music festival in Santa Barbara, California, produced for and by the college community. FestForums® is proud to spotlight the next generation of festival-goers and the events shaping their experience. Want to be part of the FestForums® conversation? Reach out to us at admin@festforums.com.
