Josh Bradley

Josh Bradley is Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's calendar editor. He started as a freelance music writer in 2020 at the age of 18, and after spending years covering, announcing, and previewing concerts in the area, he now curates CL's events calendar. Check the A&E and music sections in print and online every week for the latest in local happenings, and submit your own at community.cltampa.com.

josh@cltampa.com

In the center of the frame, Donato leans casually against the dark railing of what appears to be the bed of a pickup truck. He is dressed in a classic Western-inspired outfit, featuring a wide-brimmed cream cowboy hat, a dark denim jacket worn over a light-colored button-down shirt, and dark jeans. His long, wavy brown hair falls to his shoulders, and he looks directly at the camera with a calm, steady expression. The background features a vast, vibrant green field that stretches toward a line of dense, leafy trees under a bright blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds. The natural, high-key lighting enhances the "Cosmic Country" aesthetic, blending traditional Americana with a modern, airy feel.

Music

Before Largo show, Daniel Donato reveals the album that changed everything

He’s at Cowboys Dance Hall this Friday.

by Josh Bradley April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

MARIS has bright, neon pink hair that is slightly windswept, and she is looking directly at the camera with a confident, deadpan expression. Her face is decorated with artistic, "Cosmic Pop" makeup: a large, stylized white star with a black outline is painted over her right eye and brow, and her cheeks and nose are dusted with iridescent glitter. She wears a white tank top with the word "AMERICAN" hand-painted in dripping red letters across the chest. Her right arm is raised behind her head, covered in a distressed, bright red fishnet sleeve that is torn and frayed. The overall aesthetic is a playful, DIY blend of 80s-inspired glam and modern indie-pop.

Music

Before sold-out Tampa concert, Maris reveals an album that changed her life

Because Jack Antonoff can do no wrong.

by Josh Bradley April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

A wide-angle fisheye portrait of the band JER and their touring members standing on a brick sidewalk in front of a bright yellow wall with a large blue and white mural. In the center, Jeremy Hunter wears a blue bucket hat and sunglasses, making a peace sign, surrounded by five band members in casual streetwear.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening April 2-9

Including Jer, Billy Strings, Tampa Bay Blues Festival and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley April 2, 2026April 3, 2026

A stylized group portrait of the four-member rock band Florida. On the far left, frontman Billy Summer stands with arms crossed, wearing a tan trucker jacket, a red patterned headband, and large aviator sunglasses with a red-and-white frame. To their right, three other band members pose against a deep red velvet stage curtain. The second member has long dark hair and dark glasses; the third wears a black hat and coat with a floral shirt; and the fourth, on the far right, wears a white fedora-style hat and a dark jacket. The lighting is dramatic, casting a moody glow over the group.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening March 27-April 2

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley March 27, 2026March 27, 2026

A warm, medium-shot portrait of country singer Drake Milligan, captured in a classic, neotraditional aesthetic. He is seated in the driver's side of a white pickup truck with the door open, looking directly at the camera with a subtle, confident expression. Drake is wearing a dark brown suede Western-style jacket with decorative scalloped stitching across the chest, layered over an olive green vest and a cream-colored knit polo shirt. His dark, wavy hair is styled in a relaxed, swept-back look. The lighting is soft and golden, suggesting a late afternoon or "golden hour" setting, which complements the earth tones of his outfit and the vintage feel of the truck.

Music

Before Sarasota gig, Drake Milligan recalls the album that opened his eyes

by Josh Bradley March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

A live concert photograph of Sameer Gadhia, lead singer of Young The Giant, performing on stage. They have dark curly hair and a beard, wearing an orange and yellow vertical-striped short-sleeve button-down shirt. They are leaning into a vintage-style silver microphone, eyes closed in a moment of intense vocal performance against a dark, moody background.

Music

Young The Giant brings new album to Tampa this summer

The show at Yuengling Center is one of three Florida stops.

by Josh Bradley March 23, 2026May 29, 2026

A vibrant, live performance shot of a musician playing a teal-colored six-string electric bass guitar. The person is smiling broadly with their eyes closed, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt with an intricately embroidered, colorful "dashiki-style" collar. They are performing on a stage with a bright, abstract red and yellow light display in the background, with a stack of black amplifiers visible on the left.

Music, Show Previews, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening March 20-26

Including Oteil Burbridge at Dunedin’s Spring Beer Jam, the Miss Paramore LGBTQ fundraiser, and more.

by Ray Roa, Josh Bradley and Selene San Felice March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

A vibrant, medium close-up shot of Cuban funk artist Cimafunk performing live at the Gasparilla Music Festival. He is grinning broadly, holding a microphone in his right hand while his left hand rests on his hip. He sports a high-top fade haircut, a neatly trimmed beard, and striking thick-framed white sunglasses. He is wearing a dark, shimmering long-sleeved shirt that catches the stage lights, which bathe the scene in deep purple and magenta hues. The background is softly blurred, showing the dark stage environment and the faint glow of festival lights, capturing a moment of high-energy joy and charisma.

Music

Gasparilla Music Festival releases daily lineup, adds Cuban funk star Cimafunk

Lovelytheband, Kasbo, and The Suffers have also been announced.

by Josh Bradley March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

A press photo of singer-songwriter Ron Pope sitting in the driver's seat of a vintage blue car. He is looking directly at the camera with a serious expression. He has a full, dark beard and long dark hair styled into two long braids that rest over his shoulders. He is wearing a simple off-white t-shirt. The interior of the car features tan and black upholstery, and the shot is framed through the open driver-side window, capturing a glimpse of a side-view mirror in the foreground.

Music

Ahead of Clearwater show, Ron Pope reminisces about the album that opened his eyes

‘I loved that they seemed like regular guys.’

by Josh Bradley March 4, 2026March 4, 2026

Songwriter Nep getting ready for a concert performance, with a makeup artist and stylist providing final touches in a candid, behind-the-scenes preparation photo.

Music, Show Previews, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening February 20-26

Including Nep, Model/Actriz, an immigrants rights benefit, and more.

by Ray Roa, Josh Bradley and J.C. Roddy February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

Gemini said A high-contrast, black-and-white group portrait of Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble captures the nine-piece collective posed on an outdoor metal staircase against a rustic brick building. In the front center, Don Was sits prominently, wearing his signature wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a dark hoodie. He is flanked by vocalist Steffanie Christi’an to his right and drummer Jeff Canaday—wearing a "Bad Brains" T-shirt—to his left. Standing in the far-left foreground is saxophonist David McMurray, distinguished by a patterned scarf and sunglasses. Behind them on the middle steps sit percussionist Mahindi Masai, wearing a "Lions" T-shirt and a fedora, and trombonist Vincent Chandler in a baseball cap. At the top of the stairs, framed by a large wooden door, stand the remaining members: guitarist Wayne Gerard in a leather jacket on the left, trumpeter John Douglas in the center, and keyboardist Luis Resto on the right wearing a fedora. The image, credited to Tristan Williams, exudes a gritty, soulful Detroit aesthetic, reflecting the band’s deep roots in the city's musical legacy.

Music

Ahead of Clearwater concert, production legend Don Was reveals the album that set him free

A Blue Note record, no less.

by Josh Bradley February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

A dynamic, close-up live performance shot of a musician playing a white electric guitar under intense green stage lighting. The person wears a striped t-shirt and a black headband with white text, their face partially obscured by bright, starburst-like light flares. The background is dark with a warm orange glow visible on the left, capturing the high-energy atmosphere of a concert.

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening Feb. 5-12

Including Emo Night Tampa’s Rock the Park takeover, a J Dilla memorial, Digable Planets, and more.

by Ray Roa, Selene San Felice and Josh Bradley February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

A studio portrait of Americana musician James McMurtry sitting against a dark, textured backdrop. He is wearing a grey fedora with a black band, a bright red short-sleeved button-down shirt with gold embroidered vertical panels, and blue jeans. He has long, greyish hair and wears a large turquoise cuff bracelet on his right wrist. He is holding the neck of an Epiphone acoustic guitar resting between his legs, looking directly at the camera with a neutral, steady expression.

Music

Before Tampa show, James McMurtry recalls the best gig he ever saw

Johnny Copeland showed him screamin’ solos and smooth string changes.

by Josh Bradley January 27, 2026January 29, 2026

A promotional group portrait of the rock band Close Enemies, featuring legendary Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton. The five band members stand in a row outdoors against an industrial backdrop of a weathered stone ledge, a red brick wall, and a dark brown garage door.

Music

Ahead of Largo show, Aerosmith’s Tom Hamilton recalls the best gigs he ever saw

Rock giants in a small room.

by Josh Bradley January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

A portrait of musician Tori Amos. She is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. She has long, vibrant, wavy red hair with bangs. She is wearing a textured, crimson-red garment with a ruffled neckline. The background is a soft, out-of-focus mix of muted blue, tan, and grey tones, creating a painterly effect.

Music

Tori Amos brings new dystopian album to Clearwater this summer

Times of dragons, indeed.

by Josh Bradley January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

A wide shot of American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp performing live on a dimly lit stage with red backlighting. He is an older man with silver, swept-back hair, wearing a dark suit. He is playing a butterscotch blonde Fender Telecaster electric guitar and standing in front of a microphone. In the background, a large bass drum is visible, featuring his name "MELLENCAMP" and his hometown "Bloomington, Indiana" printed on the drumhead.

Music

John Mellencamp brings greatest hits tour to Tampa this summer

Maybe the thrill of living isn’t gone after all.

by Josh Bradley January 14, 2026January 21, 2026

A sun-drenched outdoor portrait of the jazz duo Acute Inflections. On the left, bassist Sadiki Pierre, a Black man wearing a tan flat cap, white button-down shirt, and dark suspenders, looks focused as he plays a polished wooden upright bass. On the right, vocalist Elasea Douglas, a Black woman in a white sleeveless dress and a white floral fascinator, smiles with her eyes closed, gesturing gracefully with one hand as if singing. They are positioned in a lush green park with a soft-focus background of trees and colorful flower beds, captured in warm, glowing natural light.

Music

New York City duo Acute Inflections bringing Harlem Renaissance celebration to Tampa this month

Move over, Postmodern Jukebox.

by Josh Bradley January 8, 2026January 8, 2026

A medium close-up portrait of musician Lil' Rev, a middle-aged man with a warm, friendly smile and blue eyes. He is wearing a black flat cap (newsboy style), a black blazer over a matching vest, and a dark shirt. A white instrument strap across his shoulder holds a ukulele, of which only the headstock and part of the fretboard are visible. The background is softly blurred, suggesting an outdoor setting with dappled sunlight.

Music

Venues across Tampa Bay host a series of ukulele concerts this spring

Why else would you come here for spring break?

by Josh Bradley January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

A musician sings into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar, surrounded closely by an engaged crowd inside a small, dimly lit venue lined with posters and signage.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening January 8-15

Nearly two dozen shows featured here, with even more listed below that.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley January 7, 2026January 8, 2026

Musician Daniel Donato sits on a fallen log in a grassy field, wearing a white cowboy hat and a patterned blue shirt while playing a seafoam-green Fender Telecaster guitar.

Music

‘Mind-expanding’ cosmic-country songwriter Daniel Donato is coming to Largo this spring

His show at Cowboys dance hall is among the best new concerts coming to Tampa Bay.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley January 5, 2026January 5, 2026