Singer-songwriter Cory Branan performs live on stage at Eddie's Attic. He is smiling while singing and playing an acoustic guitar, positioned in front of a blue curtain and a banner for the music venue.
Cory Branan plays Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta, Georgia on Nov. 16, 2022. Credit: Nicole Kibert Basler / elawgrrl/Flickr

Sorry to all the Tim Barrys, Chuck Ragans, and even Frank Turners out there, but Cory Branan is the most-handsome alt-country punk-Americana guy floating around out there. After a short-ish set opening for Barry and Ragan last month, the 51-year-old is fresh of a Tyler Childers collaboration and back in town and headlining New World three years after his latest album, When I Go I Ghost.

Revered among his peers—he’s also collaborated with Lydia Loveless, Jason Isbell, Craig Finn, and Laura Jane Grace—expect Branan to pull from the full depth of his storied career at this one.

Tampa’s very own Urbane Cowboys opens.

Tickets to see Cory Branan play Music Hall at New World Tampa in Tampa on Saturday, Feb. 21 are still available for $27.51.

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This article appears in Feb. 12 – 18, 2026.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...