It's a jam-packed day and night of concerts on this Sat., June 25. Breakdown of highlights below...
Rebelution with The Green, J Boog, Stick Figure, Through The Roots, DJ Mackle What’s more exciting that a concert headlined by SoCal-based reggae rock band Rebelution, on the scenic St. Petersburg Waterfront, with warm-up from a handful of other island-vibing bands? Rock Brothers presenting the public debut of its latest rock n' roll craft brew, Rebelution IPA. The band was involved in each stage of development -- from style and flavor-profile to its name and accompanying artwork – and fans get their first chance to taste it at this day-long blow-out that also celebrates the release of Rebelution’s six LP, Falling Into Place. (Vinoy Waterfront Park, St. Petersburg)–Leilani Polk
Empire Cinema with Spirit & the Cosmic Heart Empire Cinema seems demure but delivers squealing, jangling guitar feedback in songs with massive hooks that perfectly adorn their indie pop sound. Spirit & the Cosmic Heart are elegiac and mesmerizing in their dreamy compositions. Gainesville’s Dear & Glorious Physician were supposed to be headlining this show but cancelled last minute... (New World Brewery, Ybor City) –Brian Roesler
David Bowie Concert Experience Many of us still haven’t fully come to grips with the untimely loss of rock icon David Bowie earlier this year. Mourners and longtime fans would gladly jump at the chance to see the Thin White Duke live and in concert one more time. While the likelihood of bringing Bowie back to the stage is pretty much impossible, there are appealing alternatives in musicians like David Brighton, a devout lifelong Bowie fan who, since 2000, has adopted the look, feel and sound of the late rocker and toured around the globe with his faithful tribute show and full backing band in tow. Brighton’s resemblance in both appearance and sound to the real man is downright eerie. Check out my interview with the LA-based Brighton here. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater) –Gabe Echazabal
The Reality CD Release Party New(ish) jammy, jazzy, funky rock trio The Reality (singer/guitarist and trombone slinger Dan Jones, bassist/singer Caleb Bone and drummer/keysman Logan Charles III) throws a party celebrating the release of their first recording, Rhetoric. Support from Shoeless Soul and Cosmic Groove Ensemble. (Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin)–LP
Taste Of Chaos Tour with Dashboard Confessional, Taking Back Sunday, Saosin, Early November There was a time when Taste of Chaos was full of butt rock and dudes in masks screaming at the crowd and beating beer kegs with baseball bats, when, if you closed your eyes, you could hear the ‘90s in all its gross faded glory, Jnco jeans and all. Nowadays, it's all about by dudes wielding acoustic guitars and wearing their feelings on full sleeves of tattoos, reluctant to go loud but ready to emote. To be fair, Taking Back Sunday and Saosin put on a hell of a show and help balance out the softer side of the lineup. Dashboard Confessional is Chris Carrabba's mega-successful solo act that made emo a household name, for better or worse. (MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater, Tampa) –BR
Thomas Wynn and the Believers w/Savants of Soul Get a double dose of groove-shaking at the Skipperdome with the robust folk rock and gospel-dosed Southern soul n’ blues of Orlando’s Believers, driven by the powerfully potent howls of Thomas and sweetened by the dulcet harmonies of sister Olivia; and Savants of Soul, a well-dressed Gainesville 10-piece with a horns-fueled throwback Motown sound, and two vocalists – Justin McKenzie and Chelsea Oxendine – who trade off on soulful lead duties and back-up support. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)–LP
Displace Album Release & Outdoors Jam Pre-Party w/Holey Miss Moley On the brink of embarking on their first U.S. tour, Tampa-brewed sax-fused funk-jazz fusion outfit Displace headlines a pre-party for Mount Dora’s jammy outdoor festival and also throws an album release show celebrating the release of fresh sophomore LP, Undertow, songs like showing off both compositional growth and tightened musicianship in funky-wet ear-wormy first single, “Friction.” Displace hits the road on a three-week national tour starting July 7 and this show also serves as the unofficial tour launch for fans who can’t make their set for Dunedin Brewery’s 20th anniversary festivities. (Crowbar, Ybor City)–LP
The Carl Verheyen Band A session guitarist who’s worked with everyone from Miley Cyrus to Dolly Parton to Glenn Frey and the current axeman of Supertramp, Carl Verheyen, has an impressive catalog of solo material (15 albums worth); this date supports 2016’s The Grand Design. (Largo Cultural Center, Largo)–LP
ALSO TONIGHT
Soul Saturday w/Danielle DeCosmo Sat., June 25, Hideaway Café & Recording Studio, St. Petersburg
Lauren Mitchell Band Sat., June 25, Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg
Bath Salt Zombies/Red Blue Shift/Nevertel/ShinraCo Sat., June 25, Brass Mug, Tampa
Falling Axe Fest 5 feat. Kadaver Dolls/Unbrokken/Coldclock Knockout/(De)Absolve/Grasping At The Shadow/Krystal Finger/Otherworld Sat., June 25, State Theatre, St. Petersburg
