Chance the Rapper Perhaps the face of hip-hop in 2016, Chance the Rapper has catapulted himself to the top of the music game. Prior to last year’s Coloring Book, the 24-year-old Chicago icon became a fixture among hip-hop fans with his mixtapes Ten Days and Acid Rap. The adamantly label-less emcee is now one of the most recognizable faces in music thanks to three Grammy wins, numerous ad campaigns and his charismatic social activism in his hometown. His head-spinning rise to fame has earned him headliner slots for festivals all over the country, including this week’s Bonnaroo festival. On a night where U2 is almost certainly selling out the Raymond James Stadium, fans have an equally fun (and less expensive) alternative. Read our interview with Chance mentor Kevin Coval here. (Amalie Arena, Tampa) — LJ INFO
U2 w/OneRepublic It’s always a spectacle when Irish rock and roll hall of famers U2 make their way across the pond and visit the Bay Area. This show, however, makes for a once in a lifetime opportunity. Bono & co are commemorating a big anniversary for The Joshua Tree LP, which put the Irishmen on the map 30 years ago. To honor the milestone, U2 will play the classic rock album front to back. The record, which won the 1988 Grammy for Album of the Year, contains the classic songs “With or Without You,” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” and “Where The Streets Have No Name” — but you surely knew that already. Once labeling his band “the most famous in the world,” Bono’s vision and penchant for theatrics makes this tour is a must-see, but ticket prices are priced predictably high. (Raymond James Stadium, Tampa) — LJ INFO
\\<\/iframe\>Acoustic BBQ w/Sam Robertson/Lez Silvermore/Shae Krispinsky Sarasota songwriter Lesa Silvermore brings a new LP, Doppelganger, to the free-to-see, pay $5 to eat acoustic BBQ at New World Brewery. Riley Huff caught up with the self-proclaimed gray Jedi, and your can read the Q&A here. (New World Brewery, Ybor City) INFO
Phonogenics 101: Poe Haunted Tampa songwriter Jeremy Gloff’s monthly discussion series heads into the modern age by tackling Poe’s year 2000 LP of eerie reflections on her relationship with her father. Haunted was probably one of the most emotionally transparent albums released that year, so expect it to get pretty deep at this one. (Disco Dolls Studio, Tampa) INFO
DJ Orange Julius w/DJ Paypal The Brainfeeder camp meets DJ Orange Julius’s Mall Music collective at the show where Mr. Julius will tease cuts from a six-years-in-the-making LP (The Grove, due two days after he plays this show). A new single, “Still Geekin’,” is a catchy tune that samples Gucci Mane’s “Breakfast” en route to becoming one of the most insanely fun tracks we’ve heard all week. (Transitions Art Gallery, Tampa) INFO
