A breakdown of live music happening on this Fri., June 26, plus a peek at what's happening the rest of the weekend…

27/82: The Concert feat. Alex Newell The general television-watching populace seems to be more receptive to, accepting of and even fascinated with LGBT issues, if the fame of openly transgender actor Laverne Cox (of Orange Is the New Black) and gay actor/musician Alex Newell is any indication. Newell performed a few numbers in drag on The Glee Project, then went on to play a trans-identifying high school student in Glee, making so much of his two-episode consolation prize as a runner-up on the former that he nabbed a recurring role in the fourth and sixth seasons of latter, and was a regular member of the cast during its fifth season. He’s been equally savvy with the opportunities afforded by his time on Glee; he nabbed a recording contract with Deep Well Records, the imprint of Glee executive music producer Adam Anders and has since issued a few dance-floor ready pop-disco singles showcasing his rare-for-a-male soprano range, including a cover of Sigma’s “Nobody to Love” and a collab with UK outfit Blonde, “All Cried Out.” Likely, Newell will dust off covers she performed on both Glee shows for 27/82: The Concert (St. Pete Pride’s music-driven fundraiser for local nonprofits), as well as material expected on his forthcoming album. (Central Avenue and 26th Street, St. Petersburg)

The Steepwater Band Chicago’s self-styled purveyors of outlaw blues coat their sounds in slinky Delta grooves and gritty English blues, then fry it up and serve it with a side of soulful Southern rock swag and country kicking twang. Frontman Jeff Massey has a rusted vocal quality and slide guitar chops that add to Steepwater Band’s griminess, and he’s been leading the Chicago outfit since its formation in 1998. This should be a scorcher. (Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg)

Apocalyptic Noise Syndicate, Human Fluid Rot, Cute and Cuddly Kittens, GWAND with Smith Lavender, Novasak, Vasectomy Party, Lilith, Ruff A tour showcasing the crushing, ear-splitting faculties of four bands from the top and bottom corners of Florida’s east coast. Jacksonville grindcore acts Apocalyptic Noise Syndicate and Cute and Cuddly Kittens share members and bowels-dredged vocal grunts and bellows, while Miami area outfits Human Fluid Rot and GWAND work in experimental noise terrains. The former is the project of Robert W. Brantley III, whose harsh static-screaming sounds are created from an arsenal that includes effects pedals, theramine, amps, samplers, a record player, synth and tape deck. The latter is a two-piece bass-drums combo that churns out rubbery fuzz-grime odes that can stretch to 13 minutes long ala “I knew this would happen” off this year’s Shit Magnet. Local talent opens. (Brass Mug, Tampa)

Life’s a Gift with Zap Dragon & The Attack, DEA + Saint “comedy, stories, games, music, and you … a celebration of life and people, our talents and mistakes, the connections that we make, and all of our perfect imperfections,” reads the Facebook invite to Life is a Gift, an event focused on audience participation and drawing its attendees out of their shells, “because there's nothing to be afraid of and we should all live in the moment before the moment is gone.” Word. Music by Orlando’s cheeky raw garage quartet Zap Dragon & The Attack with local hip hop duo Dea + Saint also scheduled to perform. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)

Faces of Hip Hop 8 with InfyNite TraxX, Don Mack, Ganga Lee, Profit Knowledge, Rival, Simon Roofless, AMiAM, MidaZ, Nat Keza, Ceasefire, Shottie, Apakalypse Among the noteworthy Florida-brewed hip hop artists featured in this Friday night showcase are Tampa-Orlando emcee InfyNite TraxX, his fresh 21-track bass-busting Richy InfyNite boasting contributions from a who’s who of local talent – The Rukus, DJ Shafiq, Aych, Bobby Treacherous (the host of Faces of Hip Hop), Kenosobi and JRoc Jones among others; posi-vibing St. Pete emcee-producer duo Rival; “One Bar Supastar” Nat Keza, from Sarasota, whose vocal quality and delivery is kinda reminiscent of Iggy Azalea, but with added bite and homegrown legitimacy; and Miami-brewed Apakalypse, tracks like “Clip’s Extended” offering severe reflections on war and society. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

ALSO TONIGHT
Flat Land w/Dean Johanesen Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg
Clenchfist/Sinister Circle/Mobius Loop/Death By Convictions Brass Mug, Tampa
Big Daddy Weave Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Come Back Alice Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa
Rise of Saturn Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin
Goodnight Neverland/Geri X The Local 662, St. Petersburg
Zulu Wave w/RedFeather Orbit 19 Lounge, Holiday
Rebecca Zapen, Jayne Kelli, Kasondra Rose & Gale Trippsmith Hideaway Café & Recording Studio, St. Petersburg

COMING UP THIS WEEKEND
Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra Sat., June 26, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
Your Pest Band w/Old Vices/Russ Van Cleave Sat., June 26, The Bends, St. Petersburg
Breakdown w/Criminal Instinct/Blistered/Hardside/Three Knee Deep/Hardwired/Society Abuse/Crisis Unit Sat., June 26, Crowbar, Ybor City
For the Benefit of Mr. C: Steve Connelly Benefit w/Steve Connelly & the Lesser Gods/Ronny Elliott & the Nationals/Bogus Pomp/Grey Market/Mercy McCoy/Rebekah Pulley & the Reluctant Prophets/Ricky Wilcox & the Moonsnakes/Rich Whitely & Co/Offshore Riot/Sara Rose Band/Peace of Woodstock/Dirty Spoons & Trash Revue Sat., June 26, Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa
Soul of America Sat., June 26, Studio@620, St. Petersburg)
Turbo Fruits w/Panther Camp Sat., June 26, New World Brewery, Ybor City
Lions After Dark Tour Kick-Off Sat., June 26, The Nine 10, St. Petersburg)
Direwood presents: GEMINI Sat., June 26, The Venture Compound, St. Petersburg
High Cotton Sat., June 27, Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin
Brandon's Birthday Blitz w/Frostfang/Drastic Fall/The Dood/Undertone/Never Right Sat., June 27, Local 662, St. Petersburg
Brooke Ramel w/Renee Giaccone Sat., June 27, Hideaway Café & Recording Studio, St. Petersburg
Betty Who w/Coin Hailed Sun., June 27, State Theatre, St. Petersburg
Juicy J Sun., June 27, The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City
The Nace Brothers w/Wayne Sharp & the Sharpshooter Band Sun., June 27, Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa
Post-Rays Concert Series: Kidz Bop Sun., June 28, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg