Since its opening 20 years ago, Crowbar has been a haven for hip-hop, so it makes sense to see the famed Ybor City venue close its doors with a show headlined by one of the greatest to ever do it.
Talib Kweli—who once did an impromptu Black Star set with Mos Def on Crowbar’s patio back in 2011—will be the final artist to take the stage when Crowbar shuts the door on 20 years of concerts in Tampa.
The 50-year-old emcee is in excellent company, too.
DJs Sandman and Qeys handle the ones and twos all night while heavyweights of the Tampa scene rock the mic in the runup to the venue’s final moments. Aych, who held a cypher at Crowbar for nearly the entire 20-year history, is on the bill along with expat Tampa rapper Dynasty who collaborated with Kweli on “Stay Shinin’,” a song the duo performed together at the venue more than a decade ago. Queen of Ex and Perception round out the talent.
The gig on July 31 is part of an unsurprisingly stacked final week of concerts and shows at Crowbar, which is closing, in part, due to rising costs and rent.
The final week at Crowbar kicks off Monday, July 27 with a special set by Chance Reynolds, the jazz composer who soundtracked locally-produced indie film “Jellyfish Season.” Reynolds will do a set while snippets from the film play in the venue. Surfer Blood, Com Truise, Leon Majcen and others are all slated to play the final nights, too.
Talib Kweli
Time Fri., July 31, 8 p.m. 2026
Location Crowbar, 1812 North 17th Street, Tampa
This article appears in July 02 – 08, 2026.
