Show Previews Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A wide-angle stage shot of the band Goose performing in a concert hall. In the foreground, lead guitarist Rick Mitarotonda, wearing a blue shirt and sunglasses, plays his signature hollow-body guitar. To his right, Peter Anspach plays a keyboard while a second guitarist and drummer are visible in the background. The stage is bathed in vibrant purple and blue light, with bright beams cutting through a light haze.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening April 16-23

Including Goose, Bill Murray, Tampa Jazz Club’s Mile Davis show, and more.

by Ray Roa, Josh Bradley and Laura Troyer April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

Tampa Bay’s live music weekend is here, and it’s got Bill Murray (and his Blood Brothers) and Goose (pictured) in it. Breakaway festival is also bringing lots of EDM to Raymond James, while Busch Gardens welcomes Flo Rida and others to its Food and Wine Festival. Also on the agenda: Chewy Hemphill’s concert complete with […]

Music

Before Tampa gig, Chameleons’ Vox reveals the album that changed his life

Because who said the Beatles weren’t punk?

by Josh Bradley April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

A black-and-white, low-angle photograph of Miles Davis performing on stage at the North Sea Jazz Festival. He is seen from the chest up, wearing a white cap and a light-colored vest, looking down as he holds his trumpet. In the background, a stage banner partially reads "ZZ FESTIV" under bright concert spotlights that create a dramatic lens flare.

Music

USF jazz professors will play Miles Davis’ ‘Birth of the Cool’ this weekend in Ybor City

The nontet is lead by Director of Jazz Studies, Tom Brantley.

by Ray Roa April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

A close-up shot of two members of the band Little Giver performing on stage. On the left, the lead singer with long, wavy brown hair and sunglasses sings into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar. To the right, a second musician in a black t-shirt and sunglasses plays an electric guitar, featuring a light blue patterned guitar strap. The background is softly blurred, focusing on the performers' expressions.

Music

Bananas has a killer Record Store Day concert for St. Pete

Little Giver, Dames and April Showers are part of the lineup this Saturday.

by Ray Roa April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

A wide-angle, low-light photo taken outside a music venue at night. A bearded man in a baseball cap and black t-shirt is smiling, looking off to the right while holding flyers. In the background, patrons are gathered near the red entrance door of the building, which has the address 1812 visible.

Music

Tampa’s ‘Chew-uhh-palooza’ punk show includes a no-ring wrestling match

A revered punk-rock promoter wants to see all his friends on Saturday.

by Ray Roa April 14, 2026April 14, 2026

Music

Interview: Graham Nash has a new song about ICE, lots of love for Florida, and still sends roses to Joni Mitchell every year

The ex-Hollie is back at Clearwater’s Bilheimer Capitol Theatre this month.

by Ray Roa April 14, 2026April 14, 2026

In this sleek, high-fashion editorial photograph by Julian Buchan, R&B icons Chris Brown and Usher are captured in a moment of shared laughter. Set against a minimalist, bright white studio background, the two artists sit in modern, chrome-framed chairs, both dressed in sharp, all-black formal attire. On the left, Chris Brown leans back with an exuberant smile, his head tilted toward Usher. He wears an unbuttoned black blazer that reveals his extensive neck and chest tattoos, paired with wide-legged trousers and polished black brogues. To the right, Usher exudes a more composed but equally joyful energy, sitting with his legs crossed and a hand adjusting his lapel. He wears a tailored black suit with a black dress shirt and tie, complemented by dark sunglasses and gleaming patent leather shoes.

Music

Usher and Chris Brown are coming to Tampa this winter to close out their stadium tour

Hey, daddy.

by Josh Bradley April 14, 2026April 14, 2026

Music

The Strokes are coming back to Tampa this fall

The band made its return at Coachella and comes to Benchmark International Arena this September.

by Ray Roa April 14, 2026April 14, 2026

Nate Ruess and Sam Means of the band The Format standing on an outdoor athletic track under a bright blue sky. On the left, Nate wears a brown baseball cap, glasses, and a red-and-white Mickey Mouse "Disneyland" raglan shirt. On the right, Sam, with bleached blonde hair, leans forward in a brown button-down shirt. The background features green trees and distant mountains.

Music

Before Fun., there was The Format, a band heading back to St. Pete this fall

The Get Up Kids open at Jannus Live.

by Ray Roa April 13, 2026April 13, 2026

A young boy in a yellow t-shirt and a baseball cap dances joyfully on a stone-paved walkway at the Gasparilla Music Festival. Behind him, a high school drumline in white t-shirts and blue shorts performs with marching snares and tenors. A "Coppertail Brewing Co." tent and festival goers are visible in the sunny background.

Music

A quick guide to the 2026 Gasparilla Music Festival, happening this weekend in downtown Tampa

Get caught up on the backstory, bands, and, yes, where to park.

by Ray Roa April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

A stylish portrait of Cuban artist Cimafunk posing against a textured white wall. He is wearing an unbuttoned, patterned silk shirt and multiple gold necklaces, looking directly at the camera with a confident, charismatic expression. His signature high-top fade hairstyle is prominent, and the lighting is soft and warm.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening April 9-16

Including Gasparilla Music Festival, John Prine tribute concerts, Tampa Bay Blues Festival, and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Musician Lukas Nelson wearing a brown suede jacket, a white t-shirt, and a tan cowboy hat. The person is holding an acoustic guitar and leaning against a window frame inside a rustic, sunlit wooden room with multiple windows.

Music

Interview: Before St. Petersburg show, Lukas Nelson says going solo was more about ‘showing myself what I can do’

Nelson spoke about his refinement of process, of perspective, and of what he actually wants his music to do.

By J.C. Roddy/Cigar City SoundsApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

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 live performance by The Applebutter Express on an outdoor festival stage. On the left, Kyle Biss wears glasses and a black t-shirt while playing an acoustic-electric ukulele. To his right, Shannon Biss stands with long blonde hair and sunglasses, smiling as she sings into a microphone. The metal scaffolding of the stage and a clear sky are visible in the background.

Music

Hernando’s Fox Fam Jam music festival kicks off Friday

The lineup is a mix of the state’s most revered jam, bluegrass, funk, electro and psych-rock bands.

by Ray Roa April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

A group of musicians singing together on the dimly lit stage of the Ryman Auditorium during a John Prine tribute. In the center, a woman in a bright orange suit stands with crutches, flanked by other performers including a woman in a red dress and several men in casual stage attire. They are all smiling and singing toward a microphone against a dark, textured backdrop.

Music

‘I think we would have considered ourselves Gulfportian’: John Prine’s wife Fiona discusses Tampa Bay roots ahead of weekend tribute concerts

The Prine family’s Hello In There Foundation is also screening ‘How Lucky Can One Man Get’ in St. Pete Beach.

by Ray Roa April 8, 2026April 9, 2026

A low-angle close-up of country music legend Willie Nelson performing at a microphone. He is wearing his signature black cowboy hat and has his long grey hair in braids. A colorful, multi-strand beaded guitar strap is visible over his black t-shirt against a bright, slightly overexposed sky.

Music

Willie Nelson is coming to Clearwater this summer

He’ll be 93 years old by the time he lands at the BayCare Sound.

by Ray Roa April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

A wide shot of the three members of the band Down From Jersey sitting on a dark green couch in a recording studio.

Music

A St. Pete city attorney is in a punk band that’s kicking off this weekend’s Gasparilla Music Festival

Down From Jersey plays a 3 p.m. set on the Sparkman Wharf stage.

by Valerie Smith April 7, 2026April 7, 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

Members of the Miami pop-punk band QUIT leaning against a railing and laughing together at night. They are dressed in casual t-shirts, including a "Radon" band shirt and an "Axe and the Day" shirt, while holding beer bottles.

Music

Legendary ’80s Miami skate-punk band tops stacked Tampa concert happening Friday

Members of Drag The River, Descendents, and Pohgoh are on the bill, too.

by Ray Roa April 2, 2026April 2, 2026