Kurt Vile w/Luke Roberts The man with the pretty hair and knack for creating epic stoner rock is coming to Ybor City. In all seriousness though, Vile, 37, is one of the country's most undersung guitar rock guys, and last night he played a solid, steamy set at a packed Social in Orlando. He's a got a new-ish album to support (2015's b'lieve i'm goin down…) and we're hoping for a few previews of the things he's been working on lately. Read our interview with Kurt Vile here, and come early for a set by songwriter Luke Roberts who grew up train hopping in Nashville, Tennessee. His new album, Sunlit Cross (released in October via Thrill Jockey) even features a cameo from Mr. Vile who appears on LP highlight “Silver Chain.” (Orpheum, Ybor City) INFO
Boz Scaggs w/Robert Cray Band “Lido Shuffle” anyone? The musical pride of Canton, Ohio (sorry Mark Kozelek) is on Cleveland Street to bring fans a sample of his massive, 50 year old discography which boasts smooth hits like “Lowdown,” “Look What You’ve Done To Me” and “Loan Me A Dime.” Man, we can hear that Kermit-y croon already. Big time bonus on this bill? The addition of Grammy winning, fiery blues guitar slinger Robert Cray who just released a massive compilation of live cuts — 4 Nights Of 40 Years Live — in 2015. (Capitol Theatre, Clearwater) INFO
Ken Block and Drew Copeland Sister Hazel’s biggest hits may have come way back in late ‘90s, but fans of the Gainesville born college rockers have remained relatively devoted here in the Sunshine State. After a few shows at much larger venues, frontman Ken Block and guitarist Andrew Copeland come playing a much more appropriate venue — the brand new 150 person listening room sitting on top of Rock Brothers Brewing’s equally new tasting room. (The Attic, Ybor City) INFO
One Trip Little w/Matt Townsend/Brian Keith Wallen Dex Romweber and Valient Thorr both enjoy One Trip Little, and seals of approval from the Roadrunner Records hotshot and hair metal good guy may be the only co-signs you need. If you need more convincing, however, then go ahead and listen a little bit of their all-black folk below. Blues, pop and folk will all come together during supporting sets by Matt Townsend and Brian Keith Wallen. (New World Brewery, Ybor City) INFO
ALSO PLAYING
Real Music Series: Fernando Varela (Busch Gardens, Tampa) INFO
An Evening With Pat Metheny w/Antonio Sanchez/Linda Oh (Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg) INFO
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (Straz Center, Tampa) INFO
Wax Wednesdays (Ella's Americana Folk Art Café, Tampa) INFO
This article appears in Jan 26 – Feb 2, 2017.