PICKS OF THE WEEK

Gwen Stefani It is hard to believe it has been more than a decade since Gwen Stefani first entered public consciousness. But from practically the moment she entered, she was a household name. Exuding charisma, energy and a presence unmatched by almost any frontwoman since Debbie Harry, Stefani led her backing band — otherwise known as No Doubt — to a few million album sales before departing on a solo career that has seen her become an even bigger star, a fashion trendsetter and barrier-crossing celebrity on par with Madonna, except that there’s more to her than hype. Her sound — an eclectic mix of 80s new wave, modern hip-hop, dance, pop, rock, reggae and the kitchen sink — is as unclassifiable as her dressing style. She stops in at the Santa Barbara Bowl for a consecutive two night stay beginning June 26.

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