\\<\/iframe\>
✔️ = Critic's Pick
✔️ Big Freedia w/Yo! Majesty/Fre$h P/Da Power Ranger/DJ Mega It’s 2018 and New Orleans bounce queen Big Freedia is still having to explain the fundamentals of the hip-hop subgenre to the masses (look up the two-minute instructional video on Spotify titled “Never heard of New Orleans Bounce music?” starring Freedia and DJ Raj Smoove). Freedia, 40, is the perfect brand ambassador, however, and on Thursday she hits Ybor City almost exactly a year after she got loose for a sweaty show at Crowbar. The digs will be much larger this time, and added bonuses come in the form of a new single from Freedia (“Rent Is Due,” due on the day after this show) and the return of Yo! Majesty, a once fast-rising Tampa Bay hip-hop duo which was poised to make a national splash at the turn of the decade. Fre$h P and DJ Mega throw fuel on the fire at this high-energy show where you’ll want to have a lot of gin in your system. (Orpheum, Ybor City) INFO
WHAT'S RIGHT WITH YBOR
Big Freedia, the wall of love hit the strip on a Friday night — photos
The Problem Addicts w/Kevin K Band/Silver Alert In February, Florida punk group The Problem Addicts released a new EP, Derailed. Dying Scene called the effort’s last single, “Firestarters,” “a catchy mix of late ‘90s Epifat and early 2000s Chicago.” We don’t think it’s that weird of a sound, and we’re sure this show with old-school NYC punk Kevin K is going to be a fun pop-punk party. Per usual, this gig at the Bends is a no-cover affair. (The Bends, St. Petersburg) INFO
MIEN OF THE HOUR
Review: In Clearwater, Rufus Wainwright offers solace and songs for a tortured, tired America
✔️ Loudon Wainwright III w/Lucy Wainwright-Roche His son Rufus was just in town to offer solace to concert goers reeling from the Valentine’s Day massacre at Broward County’s Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, and on Thursday Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, composer, actor and author Loudon Wainwright III takes to the intimate space at Ruth Eckerd Hall’s Murray Studio Theatre. The 71-year-old hasn’t released an album since 2014’s Haven’t Got the Blues (Yet), but he’s been staying busy writing books like last year’s Liner Notes, which is an often hilarious meditation and memoir on family. We hope Loudon digs into a little of it at this gig, where his daughter Lucy Wainwright-Roche will open the show. (Murray Studio Theatre at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater) INFO
LOVE, LIFE, LOUDON
Listening to Loudon Wainwright III on the eve of his Clearwater show
Valerie Gillespie The Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association asked long-tenured Bay area jazzer and saxophonist Valerie Gillespie to tap some young talent — drummer Meghan Lock, who is a student at Tarpon Springs High School — to join an all-female band featuring pianist Karen Benjey and bassist Jennifer Medina for a night of music celebrating Women’s History Month. (Side Door at The Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg) INFO
Sounds@620 Music Series w/J.J. Pattishall and Friends Studio@620’s music offerings keep coming at us, and this one features music educator, guitarist and songwriter J.J. Pattishall bringing a few friends to the cozy First Avenue South spot for a night of folky wisdom and wit. (Studio@620, St. Petersburg) INFO
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes Jon Bon Jovi said, “When I grew up I wanted to be a Juke. I still want to be a Juke,” and if that’s not enough of an endorsement, then consider the fact that Bruce Springsteen himself has called Southside Johnny the grandfather of the New Jersey sound. The band sold out the same room last year, and we would not be surprised if tickets are hard to find outside of the Cleveland Street venue. (Capitol Theatre, Clearwater) INFO
\\<\/iframe\>
ALSO PLAYING
Death Love Addiction (Ringside Café, St. Petersburg) INFO
The Movement w/Signal Fire (The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City) INFO
Living Room Open Mic (Hideaway Café, St. Petersburg) INFO
Vintage Youth w/VJ Jason Barco (Orbit 19, Holiday) INFO
Holey Miss Moley (Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin) INFO
Rapper NBA YoungBoy (a.k.a. YoungBoy Never Broke Again) (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) POSTPONED
Movements w/Can’t Swim/Gleemer/Super Whatevr (Crowbar, Ybor City) INFO
Rabbit Run (Cage Brewing, St. Petersburg) INFO
Noche Caliente! A Night of Classic Spanish Guitar w/Hector Mayoral (c. 1949 Florida Beer Garden, Tampa) INFO
Peter & Guiana (Living Room On Main, Dunedin) INFO
