4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, 813-974-3111
Until the mid-'90s and the opening of the Ice Palace, the Sun Dome was where the Elton Johns, Billy Joels, Tina Turners and Neil Youngs performed in Tampa Bay. Conveniently located on the USF campus, just off Fowler Avenue, the venue originally had an inflatable fabric roof, which made the sound ricochet around the building like a million pinballs. A Teflon-coated replacement roof helped matters when it was installed in 2000. The building is old and outmoded, but its 10,000-seat capacity makes it a rather intimate arena. The Sun Dome doesn't score the choice gigs anymore, but still hosts many a worthy show. And the venue's rich history ensures its position on our survey.
Memories Sting's post-Police band before he turned into a New Age wuss • Velvet-voiced Luther Vandross, in one of his svelte phases, crooning and wooing an adoring crowd • A 2003 Counting Crows show that found Adam Duritz in rare form • Neil Young stomping his way through a heavy electric show, with Sonic Youth as the opener • Last year's thundering Tool extravaganza.
Capacity: 10,500
Grub: Stadium food
Drinks: Beer and wine
