This music section has always strived to highlight the best new, young acts both coming through Tampa Bay using the area as a home base, but our contributors have never shied away from the classics. Our readers love them, too, and while festivals, rappers and venue relocations were among Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s most read music stories of 2022, so much of what readers flocked to included bands like The Eagles, The Who and Stevie Nicks. Most important of all, was the death of “All Night Jazz” on WUSF 89.7-FM.
After 56 years, ‘All Night Jazz’ is dead on Tampa Bay’s WUSF 89.7-FM
A 56-year-old staple of the Tampa music scene went to the grave on Halloween night when WUSF 89.7-FM pulled the plug on “All Night Jazz.” WUSF’s General Manager JoAnn Urofsky repeatedly gave canned answers in response to listeners and reporters. In the meantime WUSF jazz programming’s supposed new home “Arts Axis Florida” has posted to its Facebook page just over a dozen times since Oct. 31—with zero mentions of jazz.
Review: The Eagles give Tampa fans a three-hour set featuring ‘Hotel California’ and all the greatest hits
A 20-minute intermission took place, and while members of the orchestra hung out backstage, Don, Joe, Tim, Vince, and Steuart launched into a breathtaking rendition of Steve Young’s “Seven Bridges Road,” a favorite of the Eagles’ for several years. Vince Gill did Glenn Frey’s vocals during “Take It Easy,” and whoever took on those high harmonies on “One Of These Nights” deserves a major pat on the back. Once the latter ended, Henley, now dressed much less conservatively, finally came to the mic and spoke. “It’s not that we don’t care about what’s going on in the world right now, it’s just that we need a break,” he explained. “Makes a fella want to drink.”
Review: The Who take Tampa fans through a lot of ups, and some downs, in return to Amalie Arena
Visually perturbed, Roger Daltrey was obviously not happy. As sound issues were being sorted out, he and Townshend opted to shift gears and perform a two-man, sparse, acoustic version of the nugget “Naked Eye.” Trading off verses, the arrival of this rarity, despite the circumstance that led to its unveiling, thrilled the diehards throughout the venue, no doubt including a patron near the front of the stage who’d apparently been screaming requested songs titles toward the band. “We don’t do requests” Townshend lashed, before softening his tone and adding “…but I love you. You paid for my Ferrari.”
‘Morally we cannot continue to stand by:’ Tampa’s Blended Festival is not going to happen
Blended Festival had ambitious plans for a two-day music and wine festival last month in downtown Tampa’s Perry Harvey Sr. Park, but those plans never saw the light of day. “Morally, we cannot continue to stand by, and leave ticket holders in the dark,” a Nov. 2 post on Blended social media said. The post added that Blended Festival has been dissolved and that its founder, Sean Evans, CEO of Blended parent company My Wine Society has been absent since Oct. 1. Talking about putting out a Fyre.
Review: Stevie Nicks stupefies and hypnotizes in very sold-out return to Tampa
“I want you to know that I don’t know how hard that hurricane hit you, because I don’t live here, but we all worried. All over the world, we worried about you every day,” Stevie Nicks admitted to an almost brimful MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in late October. It goes without saying that against all odds, Tampa Bay got off fairly easy from Hurricane Ian. But even the 74-year-old Fleetwood Mac frontwoman knew that Ian is only a fraction of what made 2022 such a shitty year in the news.
Tampa’s MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre now has a $199 lawn pass good for up to 40 concerts
You know, because buying the damn things show by show can break the bank—especially when you pile on the fees.
Tampa Bay rapper Rod Wave will give away $25,000 of free gas in St. Pete
Before his summertime arrest, St. Pete native Rod Wave was no stranger to charitable acts throughout his hometown, and last April Wave posted a video on his Instagram account stating that he would give away $25,000 worth of free gas in his neighborhood.
Deadmau5, Lil Jon among headliners for Tampa Armature Works’ ‘XOXO Carnival’
Because people who drive Lamborghinis through Tampa Heights deserved Halloween treats, too. French producer DJ Snake, plus “It Wasn’t Me” singer Shaggy and Tampa Bay rock and soul band the Black Honkeys were also on the bill for the event by Pied Piper Productions which staged a Halloween carnival last fall, features family-friendly daytime activities including classic carnival rides, vendors, plus modern art installations. You can now add “EDM destination” to Armature Works’ resume.
Jack White, Machine Gun Kelly will headline Tampa’s 97X Next Big Thing
Even without a home on the FM dial, 97X still made big waves this year, thanks in part to Megan Fox’s boyfriend and the pale prince of Third Man Records. This year’s NBT marked the first time Jack White—who just played Orlando—rocked Tampa as a solo artist, and his first gig here since his days with The White Stripes.
Kenny Chesney played a surprise free show at a 300-capacity Tampa venue
Because of his work with the National Independent Venue Association, which successfully lobbied for billions of dollars to save live entertainment in the wake of the pandemic, Crowbar owner Tom DeGeorge made his venue a destination. Case in point, Kenny Chesney fans got a surprise dose of the good stuff in April when the country superstar showed up to play with Old Dominion, which was warming up for its set opening for the Ches at Raymond James.
Q&A: Before Clearwater concert, Former Yes frontman Jon Anderson says his old band’s new album is ‘not my cup of tea’
The 77-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure in 2008, right before Yes’ 40th anniversary tour, and had to be replaced—at the time, temporarily—by Benoît David. As it turned out, original members Chris Squire, Steve Howe, and Alan White liked working with David so much, they basically kept him onboard and never asked Jon to rejoin.
After 20 years in Ybor City, Tampa’s iconic venue The Orpheum is moving out
We soon learned that Orpheum had found a new home in North Tampa, but the 700-plus capacity venue’s spot has been on Seventh Avenue since 2011 after it moved from its original location at the corner of 8th St. and Avenida Republica de Cuba. Over the course of 20 years, Orpheum’s Ybor locations hosted thousands of bands in both its venues, including The Killers who played a last-minute set there in November 2019. Ybor is now without a venue to accommodate shows too big for Crowbar (under 400 capacity) and too small for The Ritz (1,100 plus).
Florida Strawberry Festival’s lineup now includes Ludacris, The Jacksons and more
As previously announced, other major headliners include Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Train. This popular story is great because you can still do something about it since the festival doesn’t kick off its musical lineup until Thursday, March 2.
Review: Billy Joel salutes Kiev and gets snarky during chilly Orlando show
“Good evening, Alaska!” Billy Joel called out to a freezing cold crowd at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. “What the hell’s going on?!” It’s been a hot minute since the Piano Man performed in an outdoor venue in Florida. During the summer, it’s too hot for that shit, and when he takes on his biannual performance at Tampa’s Amalie Arena at the beginning of even numbered years—excluding 2022—it’s still too cold. But a stadium show during mid-March in Florida? What could possibly go wrong? The weather, apparently.
Wu-Tang icon GZA will play chess against fans in Dunedin
Though he’s famously been a huge chess fan is whole life, the legendary emcee has been on a bit of a chess run as of late, battling fans in various cities across the country. He did it again in September ahead of the Wu’s show in Tampa.
Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan stops by Seminole Heights Microgroove, leaves with a ‘nice stack’ of vinyl
Before headlining Amalie Arena with Jane’s Addiction in October, frontman Billy Corgan made some time to go record shopping before the gig. “He shopped the whole store, man, A-Z,” Keith Ulrey, founder and owner of Seminole Heights record store Microgroove, told CL. Corgan spent a couple hundred dollars during the 30-minute trip. In the haul was lots of ‘70s soft-rock and pop, some Glen Campbell, Canned Heat and even a record by Rhode Island ‘60s and ‘70s harmony-driven family band The Cowsills.
Imagine Dragons, Dave Matthews Band among headliners for Tampa’s Innings Festival 2023
Before his festival even opened for the first time in Tampa, Innings founder Tim Sweetwood had plans to come back. “We can already say that we’ll be giving it a go again in ‘23,” he told CL. The lineup says Tampa’s changing guys, or you could say it hasn’t changed at all. The festival—happening March 18-19—also includes Weezer, Pitbull, The Avett Brothers, Marcus Mumford, Third Eye Blind, Japanese Breakfast and more.
Ybor City’s Honey Pot nightclub has reopened as PTL
In July, a year after Honey Pot announced its closure in Ybor City, new life came to the club parked at 1507 E 7th Ave.
After 56 years, ‘All Night Jazz’ is dead on Tampa Bay’s WUSF 89.7-FM
A 56-year-old staple of the Tampa music scene went to the grave on Halloween night when WUSF 89.7-FM pulled the plug on “All Night Jazz.” WUSF’s General Manager JoAnn Urofsky repeatedly gave canned answers in response to listeners and reporters. In the meantime WUSF jazz programming’s supposed new home “Arts Axis Florida” has posted to its Facebook page just over a dozen times since Oct. 31—with zero mentions of jazz.
Review: The Eagles give Tampa fans a three-hour set featuring ‘Hotel California’ and all the greatest hits
A 20-minute intermission took place, and while members of the orchestra hung out backstage, Don, Joe, Tim, Vince, and Steuart launched into a breathtaking rendition of Steve Young’s “Seven Bridges Road,” a favorite of the Eagles’ for several years. Vince Gill did Glenn Frey’s vocals during “Take It Easy,” and whoever took on those high harmonies on “One Of These Nights” deserves a major pat on the back. Once the latter ended, Henley, now dressed much less conservatively, finally came to the mic and spoke. “It’s not that we don’t care about what’s going on in the world right now, it’s just that we need a break,” he explained. “Makes a fella want to drink.”
Review: The Who take Tampa fans through a lot of ups, and some downs, in return to Amalie Arena
Visually perturbed, Roger Daltrey was obviously not happy. As sound issues were being sorted out, he and Townshend opted to shift gears and perform a two-man, sparse, acoustic version of the nugget “Naked Eye.” Trading off verses, the arrival of this rarity, despite the circumstance that led to its unveiling, thrilled the diehards throughout the venue, no doubt including a patron near the front of the stage who’d apparently been screaming requested songs titles toward the band. “We don’t do requests” Townshend lashed, before softening his tone and adding “…but I love you. You paid for my Ferrari.”
‘Morally we cannot continue to stand by:’ Tampa’s Blended Festival is not going to happen
Blended Festival had ambitious plans for a two-day music and wine festival last month in downtown Tampa’s Perry Harvey Sr. Park, but those plans never saw the light of day. “Morally, we cannot continue to stand by, and leave ticket holders in the dark,” a Nov. 2 post on Blended social media said. The post added that Blended Festival has been dissolved and that its founder, Sean Evans, CEO of Blended parent company My Wine Society has been absent since Oct. 1. Talking about putting out a Fyre.
Review: Stevie Nicks stupefies and hypnotizes in very sold-out return to Tampa
“I want you to know that I don’t know how hard that hurricane hit you, because I don’t live here, but we all worried. All over the world, we worried about you every day,” Stevie Nicks admitted to an almost brimful MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in late October. It goes without saying that against all odds, Tampa Bay got off fairly easy from Hurricane Ian. But even the 74-year-old Fleetwood Mac frontwoman knew that Ian is only a fraction of what made 2022 such a shitty year in the news.
Tampa’s MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre now has a $199 lawn pass good for up to 40 concerts
You know, because buying the damn things show by show can break the bank—especially when you pile on the fees.
Tampa Bay rapper Rod Wave will give away $25,000 of free gas in St. Pete
Before his summertime arrest, St. Pete native Rod Wave was no stranger to charitable acts throughout his hometown, and last April Wave posted a video on his Instagram account stating that he would give away $25,000 worth of free gas in his neighborhood.
Deadmau5, Lil Jon among headliners for Tampa Armature Works’ ‘XOXO Carnival’
Because people who drive Lamborghinis through Tampa Heights deserved Halloween treats, too. French producer DJ Snake, plus “It Wasn’t Me” singer Shaggy and Tampa Bay rock and soul band the Black Honkeys were also on the bill for the event by Pied Piper Productions which staged a Halloween carnival last fall, features family-friendly daytime activities including classic carnival rides, vendors, plus modern art installations. You can now add “EDM destination” to Armature Works’ resume.
Jack White, Machine Gun Kelly will headline Tampa’s 97X Next Big Thing
Even without a home on the FM dial, 97X still made big waves this year, thanks in part to Megan Fox’s boyfriend and the pale prince of Third Man Records. This year’s NBT marked the first time Jack White—who just played Orlando—rocked Tampa as a solo artist, and his first gig here since his days with The White Stripes.
Kenny Chesney played a surprise free show at a 300-capacity Tampa venue
Because of his work with the National Independent Venue Association, which successfully lobbied for billions of dollars to save live entertainment in the wake of the pandemic, Crowbar owner Tom DeGeorge made his venue a destination. Case in point, Kenny Chesney fans got a surprise dose of the good stuff in April when the country superstar showed up to play with Old Dominion, which was warming up for its set opening for the Ches at Raymond James.
Q&A: Before Clearwater concert, Former Yes frontman Jon Anderson says his old band’s new album is ‘not my cup of tea’
The 77-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure in 2008, right before Yes’ 40th anniversary tour, and had to be replaced—at the time, temporarily—by Benoît David. As it turned out, original members Chris Squire, Steve Howe, and Alan White liked working with David so much, they basically kept him onboard and never asked Jon to rejoin.
After 20 years in Ybor City, Tampa’s iconic venue The Orpheum is moving out
We soon learned that Orpheum had found a new home in North Tampa, but the 700-plus capacity venue’s spot has been on Seventh Avenue since 2011 after it moved from its original location at the corner of 8th St. and Avenida Republica de Cuba. Over the course of 20 years, Orpheum’s Ybor locations hosted thousands of bands in both its venues, including The Killers who played a last-minute set there in November 2019. Ybor is now without a venue to accommodate shows too big for Crowbar (under 400 capacity) and too small for The Ritz (1,100 plus).
Florida Strawberry Festival’s lineup now includes Ludacris, The Jacksons and more
As previously announced, other major headliners include Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Train. This popular story is great because you can still do something about it since the festival doesn’t kick off its musical lineup until Thursday, March 2.
Review: Billy Joel salutes Kiev and gets snarky during chilly Orlando show
“Good evening, Alaska!” Billy Joel called out to a freezing cold crowd at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. “What the hell’s going on?!” It’s been a hot minute since the Piano Man performed in an outdoor venue in Florida. During the summer, it’s too hot for that shit, and when he takes on his biannual performance at Tampa’s Amalie Arena at the beginning of even numbered years—excluding 2022—it’s still too cold. But a stadium show during mid-March in Florida? What could possibly go wrong? The weather, apparently.
Wu-Tang icon GZA will play chess against fans in Dunedin
Though he’s famously been a huge chess fan is whole life, the legendary emcee has been on a bit of a chess run as of late, battling fans in various cities across the country. He did it again in September ahead of the Wu’s show in Tampa.
Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan stops by Seminole Heights Microgroove, leaves with a ‘nice stack’ of vinyl
Before headlining Amalie Arena with Jane’s Addiction in October, frontman Billy Corgan made some time to go record shopping before the gig. “He shopped the whole store, man, A-Z,” Keith Ulrey, founder and owner of Seminole Heights record store Microgroove, told CL. Corgan spent a couple hundred dollars during the 30-minute trip. In the haul was lots of ‘70s soft-rock and pop, some Glen Campbell, Canned Heat and even a record by Rhode Island ‘60s and ‘70s harmony-driven family band The Cowsills.
Imagine Dragons, Dave Matthews Band among headliners for Tampa’s Innings Festival 2023
Before his festival even opened for the first time in Tampa, Innings founder Tim Sweetwood had plans to come back. “We can already say that we’ll be giving it a go again in ‘23,” he told CL. The lineup says Tampa’s changing guys, or you could say it hasn’t changed at all. The festival—happening March 18-19—also includes Weezer, Pitbull, The Avett Brothers, Marcus Mumford, Third Eye Blind, Japanese Breakfast and more.
Ybor City’s Honey Pot nightclub has reopened as PTL
In July, a year after Honey Pot announced its closure in Ybor City, new life came to the club parked at 1507 E 7th Ave.
