Hey look, some concerts are happening on this Thurs., June 23. Take a look at the breakdown of highlights below.
Set and Setting, Hivelords, Grave Gnosis, Weltesser We assume Set and Setting adopted their moniker in reference to the ways that mindset (set) and environment (setting) influence the drug-taking experience, specifically psychoactives. (Google it.) The band certainly generates sonicscapes that sound like they come from the deepest of existential acid trips; droning, introspective riffs and amorphous rhythms with ghostly and subdued melodies make up the spirit of the Bay area instrumental outfit. Philadelphia's brutal love affair with black metal fusion continues in Hivelord's atmospheric and misanthropic compositions. This date is rounded out by a few more seriously heavy local acts – Grave Gnosis and Weltesser. (New World Brewery, Ybor City) –Brian Roesler
Los Van Van Of all the groups to burst from a post-Revolution Cuba, Los Van Van lands somewhere near the top, as far as longevity, world-wide success and prolific repertoires go. Bass player/composer Juan Formell formed Los Van Van in the late ‘60s and is considered a pioneer with his early style of fusing traditional son music sounds with American pop harmonies and rumba rhythms, not to mention using electronic instrumentation and adding elements of rock, funk, timba, salsa and various other genres over the years that helped Los Van Van remain relevant. Though Formell passed in 2014, his legacy continues with the still-active group, currently led by early members Pupy Pedroso (keys) and Changuito (percussion). (The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City) –Leilani Polk
Antifa Street Punk: Curasbun Oi! with Revolucion Oi!, Thrash Can Famously honest and philanthropic punkers from Chile, Curasbun Oi!, hit town on their inaugural American tour. Beyond being charitable, looking out for the little guy and hating on fascists, the group crafts snappy catchy choruses in the sort of three-chord punk that cherishes brevity and energy. Revolucion Oi! continues the badass trend of ending their name in an exclamation point, hails from Dallas (where everything is bigger), and pride themselves on supporting immigrants. (Trump fans need not apply.) St. Pete's own Thrash Can turns the anti-fascist vibes on high to warm the night. (Local 662, St. Petersburg) –BR
ALSO THIS WEEK
Drum Corps at the Cinema AMC Regency 20, Brandon; AMC Woodland Square 20, Tampa; CRM Sundial 19, St. Petersburg; RGL Park Place Stadium 16, Pinellas Park; and RGL Citrus Stadium Park Mall 20, Tampa
Tampa Music Conference A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa
