Malachi Gagnon Credit: Press Photo

COVID-19 might just be the best thing that ever happened to Malachi Gagnon, who’s playing New World Brewery in Tampa on Sunday, Dec. 18.

After only a week of strumming a guitar during lockdown, the now-15-year-old—who happens to be a Tampa resident—got up in front of his family and performed Jon Pardi’s “Ain’t Always The Cowboy.” It must have been insanely well-received, because Gagnon hasn’t stopped playing music since. His music, full of all the electronic beats common in today’s contemporary world, largely centers around heartbreak and moving on from a relationship, which is just what some of us need sometimes.

Malachi’s debut EP is just around the corner, but in the meantime, he has this gig where a few unannounced special guests are supposed to show up.

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...