A nice healthy amount of shows happening this Hump Day. Check out the breakdown below.
Fitz & the Tantrums We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Fitz and the Tantrums play in Tampa Bay on a few occasions, once in 2011 as headliners at State Theatre, and again last year, opening for Bruno Mars at the forum then performing the Coastline Festival at MidCredAmp. This time around, the co-ed led neo-soul/pop sextet from LA (featuring the vivacious Michael “Fitz” Fitzgerald and feminine other half, Noelle Scaggs on vocals) — music headlines their own arena show, still touring behind 2013’s More Than Just a Dream. The LA sextet has been known to throw covers like “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by the Eurythmics into sets of original material that includes Alt Rock chart-topping hits like urgent whistle-fueled number, “The Walker.” (USF Sun Dome, Tampa)—LP
The Hip Abduction Popular local act The Hip Abduction manages to avoid the typically collegiate jam-reggae cliches by incorporating elements of world music into its own inimitable original style. It’s fun, it’ll definitely make fans dance, and it doesn’t feel forced or contrived at all. Get on your feet, grab a beer for each hand and put your worries on hold without feeling self-consciously white as all get-out. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)—SH
Diarrhea Planet with Luxury Mane Nashville’s Diarrhea Planet has managed to rise above the limitations it automatically set for itself by choosing a stupid not-funny name and become a rising star amid the post-Warped everything-is-sort-of-punk-I-guess scene. The group plays catchy, occasionally snotty emo-tinged power pop. Luxury Mane is definitely among the Bay area’s best original bands; led by former Semis principal Billy Summer, the group just released a marvelous amalgam of hooks, garage fuzz and subtle psychedelia aptly titled Gold Standard. (Crowbar, Ybor City)—Scott Harrell
Lily Allen Brash Brit popstress Lily Allen isn’t interested in being the next Amy Winehouse or Beyonce or Lady Gaga; she’s interested in speaking her mind, having a good time, occasionally baring her breasts in public and making the music that makes her happy. The results are often eclectic to the point of being hit-or-miss, but when she’s on, it’s a thing of beauty. Her latest album, the typically provocative Sheezus, came out last May. (House of Blues, Orlando)—SH
