An individual with long dreadlocks and glasses, wearing a striped beanie and a grey sweatshirt, stands in front of an open white Ford XLT van at night. They are holding a smartphone in one hand and gesturing toward the camera.

Music

Sermons Fest brings another hip-hop showcase to Tampa this weekend

Marco Plus and Sunset Tim join a host of local favorites at Crowbar.

by Ray Roa December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

Atlanta rapper Marco Plus tops the bills at Tampa hip hop concert ‘Sermons Fest’ happening Dec. 18, 2026.

bird's-eye view of a coastal city's entertainment district. The rendering shows the layout of the plaza, surrounding parking areas, and the dense cluster of modern skyscrapers situated near the water's edge.

Music

Water Street Tampa owners want to build a 3,500-capacity venue across from Benchmark International Arena

The parking lot across the old Amalie would also include a 250-room hotel, retail and parking.

by Ray Roa December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

Music

Gasparilla Music Festival is moving to Water Street Tampa in April 2026

Tickets are on sale today, with lineup information coming in a few weeks.

by Ray Roa December 17, 2025December 17, 2025

A Dunkin' disposable coffee cup sitting on a railing or ledge, with a blurred sign (mostly red and white) in the foreground to the left. The cup has a seasonal design, featuring a snowflake pattern and what looks like a tiny leaf or berry drawing.

News & Views

‘No contract, no coffee’: Downtown Clearwater Starbucks closed as unionized workers join nationwide strike [PHOTOS]

Unlike past one-day strikes, this one is open-ended with a to-be-determined end date for the work stoppage.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

A woman with a a jet black mullet looks seriously into the camera. She has eye makeup on.

Music

Joan Jett, Riley Green, and many more coming to Plant City for 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival

Tickets for the concerts running Feb. 26-March 8 are on sale now.

by Ray Roa December 11, 2025December 12, 2025

A large group of people celebrating at a club. A performer in the foreground, wearing a yellow wig and a brightly colored outfit, strikes a dramatic pose with a hand raised on a platform overlooking the crowd.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening December 11-18

In the holiday spirit, bigtime.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

A dramatic portrait of two people with striking makeup, standing against a dark, slate-blue background. They are wearing clothing made of white coiling cords or cables, creating a sculptural, artistic effect.

Music

Tour celebrating Brandy & Monica’s 1998 hit comes to Tampa on Friday

Be ready for two separate headlining sets along with shared stage time.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

Music

Prog-jazz trio Photon kicks off three-night Dunedin stand on Friday

The shows are at Dunedin Brewery and The Moon Tower.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

Music

Rusko, early exporter of UK dubstep, returns to Tampa on Friday

Subdocta opens at The Ritz Ybor.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

A promotional photo of two performers outdoors at night, standing in front of an historic red brick building. The subjects wear high-contrast outfits with black and white hair, red lips, and dramatic makeup.

Music

The inimitable ‘Hallucination Before Christmas’ rave returns to Ybor City this weekend

Halloween meets the holidays and almost 40 DJs, all for charity.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

Music

St. Pete metal band Antacid Trip celebrates new album on Saturday

Tim Ramsland’s trio has a bleak, albeit honest, outlook on the zeitgeist.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

Three individuals dressed casually, two wearing graphic t-shirts and one in a plain brown shirt. The central person wears a baseball cap and camouflage pants. They are framed by large green leaves and a tree trunk.

Music

Tampa’s ‘Merry Mosh 2’ concert and market benefits reproductive freedom

Fallfiftyfeet visits from West Virginia in the headlining slot.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

A highly dramatic concert photo showing the band in silhouette against bright orange and yellow flames. The stage rigging above is visible in the intense, high-contrast lighting.

Music

It’s not the holidays if Trans-Siberian Orchestra doesn’t do a Tampa concert

The ensemble plays a doubleheader this weekend.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

The historic St. James Church, a red brick structure, is seen on a sunny day in downtown Tampa, situated on a grassy corner lot adjacent to a new apartment complex and a paved sidewalk.

Music

Jazz returns to ‘The Scrub’ in Tampa on Dec. 16

Pianist Nick Peters gets the honors.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

Music

‘One Tree Hill’ stars play music from the show in St. Pete on Dec. 18

Tyler Hilton and Kate Voegele are at Bayboro Brewing Co.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

Three band members pose in the middle of a grocery store. The subject on the left is reaching for a beverage, and the person on the right is holding an orange juice container, both wearing denim. All three subjects have visible tattoos on their arms.

Music, Show Previews

Atlanta noise-rock hero Whores plays Tampa this month

It recorded an acclaimed 2024 album right here in Tampa.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

A performer with long curly blonde hair stands on stage wearing a flowing black outfit, eyes closed and hands raised slightly as she sings into a microphone draped with scarves. Blue and purple stage lighting illuminates the dark background.

Music

Review: Stevie Nicks covers 15,000 Tampa fans in gold dust

Timeless as ever, the 77-year-old worked through 15 songs at Benchmark International Arena.

by Ray Roa December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

A close-up outdoor photo of a long-haired individual singing into a microphone. The subject is wearing dark sunglasses and a short-sleeved white button-down shirt with a small pattern. A tattoo is visible on their arm.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music and concerts happening December 4-11

Including a whole lot of festivals.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

Music

Have Gun, Will Travel launches new EP in St. Pete on Friday

The Americana scene staple has a reflection on NASA’s late-’70s satellite program.

by Ray Roa December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

Two people posing in a studio against a neutral background. The person on the right has their hand in their pocket and is looking straight at the camera, while the person on the left is wearing a patterned top and also looking directly ahead.

Music

Tampa’s Sweetwater farm hosts ‘Farm Aid’ concert this weekend

And there’s now an option to camp at the farm after the show.

by Ray Roa December 2, 2025December 2, 2025