UPDATE TUE., SEPT. 25: BEST OF BLOWOUT
Allow me a minute to brag on the bangin' bash Creative Loafing threw last night at Tampa Theatre. The turnout was terrific, and I think it's a safe bet to say a good time was had by all in attendance. Hopefully, we'll have pics to post by the end of the day. Meanwhile, I'd just like to give a big shout-out to last night's music acts: Lorna Bracewell, Blac Soap and The Ditchflowers. All three turned in kick-ass performances. Also, thanks to all the other musicians who showed up to pick up their awards and party with us. Finally, props to Fly for hosting an awesome after party. I'm still hurting, but this is one hangover I definitely don't regret.
Our massive Best of the Bay issue, which we slaved over for months, hit newsstands today. Posted below are the Critics’ Picks for music. Click here to read each Arts & Entertainment entry or here to peruse entire issue.
The Best of the Bay Awards show is 8 p.m. Mon., Sept. 24 at Tampa Theatre. Click here for ticket info. The event will feature performances by BOTB winners The Ditchflowers, Blac Soap and Lorna Bracewell.
Critics' Picks
BEST NEW BAND Have Gun, Will Travel
BEST LOCAL CD The Ditchflowers, Carried Away
BEST DISCOVERY Blind Buddy Moody
BEST RAP CREW The Umbrella Corporation
BEST HARDCORE LESBIAN RAP GROUP Yo Majesty
BEST REGGAE BAND Tribal Style
BEST ADOPTED OUT-OF-TOWNERS Modern Skirts
BEST PUNK BAND Car Bomb Driver
BEST LOCAL MUSIC SCENE STALWART Natty Moss Bond
BEST OVERALL MUSIC PERFORMANCE Trombone Shorty at Tropical Heatwave
BEST SURPRISE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE Patrick Bettison
BEST IMPROMPTU A CAPPELLA RAP PERFORMANCE Mr. Smith at Tampa Music Conference
BEST MINI-CONCERT Steve Connelly & the Lesser Gods at WMNF’s Americana Fest
BEST ONSTAGE DRAMA The Beauvilles @ Dave’s Aqua Lounge
BEST SONG TO PLAY FOR PROSPECTIVE TRANSPLANTS “Gun Shine State,†Black Reign
BEST ROMANTIC RAP SONG BY A LOCAL ACT “French Vanilla,†Blac Soap
BEST CONTEMPORARY PROTEST SONG “Flowers on the Chains,†Lorna Bracewell
BEST USE OF CONFETTI The Flaming Lips at Jannus Landing
BEST NEW MUSIC VENUE Crowbar
BEST HONKY TONK Dallas Bull
BEST BIG VENUE THAT GETS SLAGGED BY MUSIC SNOBS Ford Amphitheatre
BEST NEW OPEN MIC NIGHT Tre Amici @ The Bunker
MOST EMBARRASSING TURNOUT FOR AN ARTS EVENT Music Premieres at the Ybor Festival of the Moving Image
BEST ONGOING JAZZ PROGRAM Jazz at the Gorilla
BEST PLACE TO HEAR LOCAL MUSIC ONLINE SMAsh Radio
BEST SOUNDTRACK FOR DITCHING WORK EARLY ON FRIDAY The Rhythm Vault on WMNF (88.5), 2-4 p.m. Fridays
BEST RADIO STATION FOR YOUR INNER GRANDPA 105.5 FM, “The Doveâ€
BEST DRUMMER Alex Fedele, Auto!Automatic!!
BEST GUITARIST … AND SLIDE GUITARIST … AND LAP STEEL PLAYER … AND DOBRO PLAYER Damon Fowler
BEST POP EXTRAVAGANZA Justin Timberlake at the St. Pete Times Forum
