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Jimmy Griswold Meet the Griswold. Guitar wizard and New England native has found his niche in the Tampa music scene over the years after gigging regularly (and internationally) to showcase his love of Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King for anyone who’ll listen. (Finley’s Irish Pub & Eatery, Largo) INFO—LJ
Kolars w/Pleasures/Johnny Mile And The Kilometers It’s not often you hear a band’s sound described as “desert disco” or “space blues,” but that’s just how Kolars likes to rock. Husband and wife duo Rob Kolar and Lauren Brown formed the band in 2016 after leaving the group He’s My Brother She’s My Sister. The pair has since drifted into the realm of glam-a-billy and allowed Kolars’s eclectic impulses to take over the band’s stage performance. With Rob on lead vocals and guitar, Lauren leads a dazzling percussion performance that finds her pumping out beats while simultaneously dancing on a bass drum and playing a stand-up kit. (New World Brewery, Ybor City) INFO—LJ
Deftones w/Rise Against/Thrice Fans ready to mosh and headbang should head east where California metal group Deftones will return to Tampa with Rise Against in tow. Deftones released the critically acclaimed Gore last lear, and while we’re unsure if they are working on new material this time around, this is definitely one of the more eye-catching rock shows of the summer thanks to the addition of Chicago quartet Rise Against which is ready to share a new album — Wolves, released on June 9 — with Florida fans. Thrice brings its own critically-acclaimed ninth album, To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere, to open the show. (MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa) INFO—LJ
Tampa Music Conference w/C-Rena/Kristopher James/Joshua Cruz/Priceman/Hybreed eM-16/Jamez Anthony An opportunity for anyone aspiring to be in the music business to network with industry professionals and established acts from Tampa and around the country. Panelists include some of the country’s brightest entertainment lawyers, publishers, artists, digital distributors and industry insiders. The day will also include performances from rising Bay area artists plus an afterparty at The Hub in downtown Tampa. Full disclosure: CL music editor Ray Roa will be a speaker on the 6:30 p.m. panel. (A La Carte Pavilion, Tampa) INFO
Pitbull w/Enrique Iglesias/CNCO Dale! Charismatic Latino pop stars Pitbull and Enrique Iglesias both make return ventures to the Bay area (both are album of 93.3 FLZ’s annual Jingle Ball concert). Despite his mixed reception in the music community — which even spawned the viral hashtag #ExilePitbull — Mr. 305 has always been unapologetic and blunt about his club-ready hip-hop. Iglesias just opened a Miami restaurant, and while both have seen their musical primes come and go, Pitbull and Enrique still have enough hits to make this show a guaranteed high-energy fiesta. (Amalie Arena, Tampa) INFO —LJ
Secret Stuff w/Born Without Bones/Worst Party Ever/Snacking/Farseek The United States of Emo (well, really it’s just Tennessee, Massachusetts and Ohio) arrives at Largo’s Lucky You when Secret Stuff, Born Without Bones and Farseek hit the tattoo shop for a show alongside Sarasota acoustic act Worst Party Ever and Tampa’s own Snacking. Farseek’s new seven-track release May, is one of the sweetest things to come out of the Buckeye State this year, so show up early to watch Cameron Harrison open the show. (Lucky You Tattoo, St. Petersburg) INFO
Natalie Claro Disconnect Release w/Faze Wave/Babyblu/Inkblot In our January “predictions” issue, 17-year-old Tampa songwriter Natalie Claro told CL she would have a new record out this year. Claro kept her word, and this party celebrates Disconnect where she bounces around the country, Caribbean and pop sound that almost earned her a slot at Okeechobee Music Festival in the springtime. (Crowbar, Ybor City) INFO
Este Loves & Friends Good vibes, dreadlocks and the warm message of Este Loves and friends will permeate this Dunedin taproom thanks to a plethora of covers and original songs in Este Love’s bubbly, unique style. (Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin) INFO—LJ
Drum Corps at the Cinemas w/Blue Stars/Bluecoats/the Cadets/more You’re not hallucinating. UPDATE: We were hallucinating. This is a cotdamn movie. Still cool compared to some of the other garbage out there, but definitely not as exciting as live drums. Carry on…St. Pete’s Sundial cinema is hosting ensembles from Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and more for the first weekend of the 2017 Drum Corps International Tour. Related events are happening at Park Place 16 in Pinellas Park and Woodland Square 20 in Oldsmar. More information is available via fathomevents.com. (Sundial 20, St. Petersburg) INFO
ALSO PLAYING
Vintage Youth w/JV Jason Barco (Orbit Lounge, Holiday) INFO
Musical Tribute to Florida w/Bonnie Whitehurst (Land O' Lakes Library, Land O' Lakes) INFO
The Sara Rose Band (Rhythm and Brews, Zephyrhills) INFO
Florida Jazz Express (Dockside Sports Bar n Grille, New Port Richey) INFO
This article appears in Jun 22-29, 2017.