Iron Maiden's return
Before Iron Maiden left the stage following their April 2009 performance in South Florida, frontman Bruce Dickinson promised that the band would visit Florida again in 2011. Their stop in Tampa has been one of the most talked-about local concert events ever since it was confirmed in November, not only because it marks the legendary British heavy metal band's first time back to the Bay area since 1988, but because their forthcoming "Final Frontier World Tour" is making a mere two stops in the U.S. — and both are in Florida. Get your tickets now; this show will most definitely sell out. Sun., April 17, 8 p.m., St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, $32.25-$55.
10 MORE MUSTS
Robert Randolph & The Family Band w/The Constellations Pedal (Thurs., Feb. 10, State Theatre, St. Petersburg). Steel guitarist/singer Robert Randolph — named one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone — brings his fiery funk-soul family band to town in support of 2010's We Walk This Road.
Broken Social Scene (Fri., Feb. 11, The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City). The beloved Canadian art-rock outfit stopped here in '08 and played a high-energy show that the kids are still talking about. BSS return following the release of Forgiveness Rock Record, their first album of new material in five years.
Old 97s (Wed., March 2, Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa). The Dallas foursome is credited with pioneering the mid-to-late-'90s alt-country movement along with bands like Uncle Tupelo, Drive-By Truckers and The Jayhawks. If you like any of said bands, you'd better not miss this show.
John Mellencamp (Fri., March 4, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater). The heartland rocker released his 21st studio album last year to much critical praise and has called it "as American folk as I've ever been."
Franz Nicolay w/David Dondero (Tues., March 8, New World Brewery, Ybor City). The Hold Steady's mustachioed multi-instrumentalist wizard rolls into town solo on this co-tour with acoustic rock singer-songwriter David Dondero.
The Avett Brothers (Fri., March 25, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater). The beloved purveyors of poignant Americana make their first-ever appearance in Clearwater.
Starfucker/Casiokids (Fri., March 25, Crowbar, Ybor City). A co-headlining tour by two high-quality electro-pop acts that are also Polyvinyl labelmates — Portland foursome Starfucker and Norwegian ensemble Casiokids.
Further feat. Bob Weir & Phil Lesh (Tues., April 5, UCF Arena, Orlando). The Grateful Dead may be no more, but members Weir and Lesh continue to perform in various post-Dead lineups. The latest, Further, also includes Dark Star Orchestra guitarist John Kadlecik, RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and Joe Russo of the Benevento/Russo Duo on drums.
Interpol (Thurs., April 28, The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City). A night of dark, NYC-style post-punk attitude and with an eponymous new fourth album in tow.
Katy Perry (Fri., June 10, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa). The recently-wed Grammy-nominated superstar pop singer gets the tweens and teens in a tizzy when she brings her "California Dreams" tour to Tampa Bay.
This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2011.