They Hate Change
In March, They Hate Change’s Clearwater — released via Santa Maria, California imprint Deathbomb Arc (JPEGMAFIA, Lana Del Rabies, more) — was released and became exactly what fans of Tampa Bay’s underground music scene needed during the first few weeks of spring. The duo dropped another gem, the seven-track Juices Run Clear, six months later, making for the most exciting one-two experimental hip-hop punch of 2019.
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Best of the Bay 2019 Music: Our readers and critics pick the best songwriters, rock and rollers, clubs, DJs and more.
Critics' Picks
Best Reminder That Record Stores Rock
Best Kool Reaction To A Shit Situation
Best Literally Underground Music Showcase
Best Reason To Believe In Tampa Bay Hip-Hop
Best Reason To Buy A Show Poster
Best Bi-Coastal Reps For Tampa Bay Hip-Hop
Best Family Friendly ‘Dick’s Picks’
Best Safe Haven For Songwriters
Best St. Pete Music-Scene Playground
Best Reason To Rep ‘Clearwater’
Best Big Ambition In Tiny Tampa
Best Living Legend Being Normal Like Us
Best Undersung Champion Of Composers’ Dreams
Best Don't Even Try To Make It Trendy
Readers' Picks
Best Concert In The Last 12 Months
Best Large Concert Venue (2,000-Plus Capacity)
Best Local Metal/Hardcore Band (Original)
Best Local Music School (Institutional/Academic)
Best Local Music School (Non-Academic)
Best Local Rock Band (Original)
Best Local Roots/Alt-Country Act (Original)
Readers’ Pick Best Release By A Local Band
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Jonny Fritz at Orpheum
It took Murder By Death and J. Roddy Walston dragging him here, but enigmatic, and ridiculously hilarious, L.A. songwriter Jonny Fritz finally made it to Tampa Bay for a short, sweet set filled with his deeply empathetic country songs. Americana fans may never see the bearded, bald bard around here again, but at least we got to see him (and his head) shine for a few minutes.
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Gat$ And Rolling Loud
If there’s a Rolling Loud lineup, then Tampa rapper Gat$ is probably on it. He did it in December by appearing alongside the likes of he likes of Post Malone, Lil Wayne, Cardi B and Lil Uzi Vert at Rolling Loud Los Angeles. Pretty cool to see the Bay Area-born fest, and one of Tampa’s loudest supporters, repping for us on both sides of the country. Now send the guy to Hong Kong, Rolling Loud.
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Symphonic distribution
You’ve got to go up four floors to get to Symphonic Distribution’s downtown Tampa office, but the sky really is the limit for the music company that’s grabbing the spotlight and making the industry look at Tampa as an important cog in the grand scheme of things. Repeat appearances on Billboard’s Power Players list — along with offices in cities around the world — are just the beginning. Thanks for singing the 813 song to the world, Symphonic.
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Lizzo At Yuengling Center
Whoever stood to rake in revenue from Lizzo’s Jannus Live show was probably irked when someone above them made the call to move the gig across the Bay to the Yuengling Center, but folks at the old Sun Dome did good to roll out the red carpet in celebration of the Tampa debut for an artist that could represent America’s warming up to an artist that looked much different from the mostly white crowd in front of her that night. Will the Lizzo love last and help create a culture that truly embraces both black music and black people? Let’s hope so, and let’s hope that it’s that Tampa crowd that leads the way.
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Fubar Closure
The arrival of 2019 brought with it an eerie silence as Fubar celebrated its final night on the 600 Block of downtown St. Petersburg. For nine years, owner Jay Aresty and venue caretaker Todd Frain gave bands — especially locals — a place to cut their teeth and find an identity in the context of a rapidly changing metro. “Fubar was the spot that exposed us to the city. We then built a following in St. Pete, and Fubar was the place we did it,” said Shane Handal, guitarist for Bay area rock band Set and Setting, which now regularly plays festivals in Europe. With State Theatre still under renovation and Fubar sold, it’s been an awfuly quiet on that strip of Central Avenue.
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Winner: Austen Van Der Bleek avbleek.com
Second Place: Jayson Chancey soundcloud.com/jayson-chancey
Runner Up: Jason Kitchen facebook.com/djjasonkitchen/
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2019.
Winner: Pride Closer stpetepride.com
Second Place: P!nk At Amalie Arena photos.cltampa.com
Runner Up: Gasparilla Music Festival gasparillamusic.com
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Sales at Emo Night Tampa Anniversary
It’s true, it was admittedly a little warm inside of NoHo art studio Pep Rally Inc. We’re blaming it on the beautiful bodies lucky enough to get a ticket to night three of Emo Night Tampa’s four-year anniversary weekend highlighted by a one-of-a-kind set from Orlando pop outfit Sales, which continues to rep hard for the Sunshine State. We’re excited to see the Emo Night crew top themselves in year five. emonighttampa.com.
Winner: Soul Circus Cowboys soulcircuscowboys.com
Second Place: Have Gun, Will Travel hgwtmusic.com
Runner Up: The Cadillac Cowboys thecadillaccowboys.com
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2019.
