The Applebutter Express/The Bloody Jug Band/Troy Youngblood No stranger to the local folk music scene, the Tampa-based funky bluegrass/Americana band Applebutter Express brings its spirited uke-based tunes back to Ybor City. Led by husband and wife duo Kyle and Shannon Biss, Applebutter Express has played their share of big-name festivals, including Bonnaroo in 2012. Also on the lineup, with a slightly darker take on folk music, is The Bloody Jug Band from Orlando. Described as “swamp noir,” the bluesy rock eight-piece draws inspiration from jug bands of the 1920s and 1930s. (New World Brewery, Ybor City) —TK
A Slice of the Burg Music & Arts Festival: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic w/The Black Honkeys/Fall on Purpose/others Downtown St. Pete is about to get funky, y’all, and it’s all in the name of saving an historic landmark. A Slice of the Burg promises an all-day block party highlighted by art events, tasty food vendors and music performances headlined by the Funkmaster general himself, George Clinton, who bringd his traveling carnival known as Parliament Funkadelic to the ’Burg in the hopes of making a Mothership Connection with fans. Proceeds go toward efforts to Save The Historic YMCA Building. There ain’t nothin’ funky about that. (Historic YMCA, St. Petersburg) —Joe Bardi
Halcyon w/Cuba Luna Acoustic folk duo Halcyon (Deb Hunseder and Steph Callahan) have been writing music and performing together throughout Tampa Bay and around the country for more than 20 years. Their harmonizing vocals, which blend together perfectly à la the Indigo Girls (who happen to be performing the same night, at Ruth Eckerd Hall), and on-stage chemistry make for a lively, engaging act. Special guest, Brandon-based singer-songwriter Cuba Luna, who got her start performing on the streets of Ybor City, opens. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa) —TR
Steve Connelly, Ed Woltil & Dean Johanesen Three local linchpins and old friends gather for what’s sure to be a memorable evening. Formerly of the Headlights and Drive-Thru Church, Connelly is a studio production deity and continues to rock with his band the Lesser Gods. Woltil (The Ditchflowers) and Connelly’s bandmate in the Headlights and Drive-Thru Church, is known for his keen pop sensibilities. They’re joined by Johanesen (The Human Condition) — the junior of the three but equally formidable. The all-star trio will play in-the-round, joining in with one another in different configurations, performing old-band tunes and newer tunes. Woltil says he’s been working on a new release, Paper Boats, and will play selections from his solo effort. (Hideaway Café & Recording Studio, St. Petersburg) —JG
Fifth Annual IPA Festival w/Dopapod Nothing goes better with good beer than good music, which is something Dunedin Brewery is well aware of. For the fifth annual edition of this hoppy-flavored fest, the microbrewery pairs more than 35 IPAs, double IPAs and experimental IPAs with live rock ’n’ roll by one of the fastest rising acts in the jam band community: Dopapod. The four musicians deliver a kaleidoscopic synthesis of mind-melting electro, sci-fi funkiness, and fusionistic jazz and prog-rock via intricate guitar lines, swirling organ and a rhythm section laying down some of the most danceable grooves around. (Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin) —Matthew Drozdeck & Leilani Polk
SUNDAY, JUNE 2
Dirty Names w/Oxford Noland Non-pretentious, down-home and lively, the next Hub lineup is a solid one, for sure. The Dirty Names hail from the mid-Atlantic region and aim “to bring back the lost art of pure Rock and Roll with a modern twist.” They should appeal to fans of Alabama Shakes and Black Keys. Cousins Aaron Buckingham and Josh Harrell make up Tampa-based dynamic duo Oxford Noland (formerly ootleggers and Baptists). (The Hub, Tampa) —JG
Frampton’s Guitar Circus The man with the golden locks and the screaming Gibson Les Paul who rose to super-stardom in the mid-’70s with his record-breaking live album has never stopped creating great music and touring. The locks may be gone but Peter Frampton’s guitar prowess is still alive and well. For his current tour, Frampton has enlisted Grammy-award winning blues guitarist Robert Cray to accompany him on his “Frampton’s Guitar Circus” tour, and it promises to be a jaw-dropping night of guitar excellence. The ever-revolving cast of guest guitarists boasts some pretty impressive names. Our stop also feature Steve Cropper, the legendary Memphis player who was an original member of soul/rock outfit, Booker T. and the MGs. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater) —GE
Jimmy Thackery w/Hadden Sayers Just calling gritty veteran guitarist Thackery a bluesman doesn’t really cut it — while his original material often obliterates the line between blues and ageless classic rock, he’s equally at home stretching out an old chestnut like “Red House.” As with many of the artists embraced by WMNF and Skipper’s, he defies genre, and is worth another look by anyone suspicious of labels. Up-and-coming guitar slinger and bandleader Hadden Sayers, who for some unfathomable reason swapped crazy Texas for fucking bonkers Ohio at some point, provides soulful support. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa) —SH