Benchmark International Arena Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

Daniel Caesar posing in a black jacket and jeans.

Music

Daniel Caesar brings first headline arena tour to Tampa next month

Faye Webster opens the ‘Son of Spergy’ tour at Benchmark on July 23.

by Alisha Durosier June 8, 2026June 8, 2026

The Son of Spergy Tour will support his album of the same name. The “Get You” singer used his most recent album to pay homage to his father, to whom the nickname “Spergy” belongs.

Music

The Strokes are coming back to Tampa this fall

The band made its return at Coachella and comes to Benchmark International Arena this September.

by Ray Roa April 14, 2026April 14, 2026

Music

Weezer, The Shins and Silversun Pickups are coming to Tampa this fall

“What’s with these homies dissin’ my girl?”

by Colin Wolf March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

Close-up portrait of comedian Cam Bertrand smiling against a solid turquoise background. The person wears a white baseball cap with a green brim and a black shirt.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa comedian Cam Bertrand opens for Matt Rife at Benchmark International Arena this weekend

And he’ll return for a smaller headline show in May.

by Michael Murillo March 11, 2026March 12, 2026

Music

Photos: Andrea Bocelli showcases his timeless-as-ever voice in Tampa

Oh mi amor.

by Ryan Kern March 3, 2026March 3, 2026

Comedian Bert Kreischer performing stand-up shirtless on stage during a Netflix comedy special.

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay native comedian Bert Kreischer returns for Benchmark Arena show

He’s fresh off a new Netflix show, and fresh out of shirts.

by Selene San Felice January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

A high-contrast, dramatic photo of singer Josh Groban performing on stage. He is wearing a dark suit, a black shirt, and clear-rimmed glasses, holding a microphone close to his face with a focused expression. In the dimly lit background, several members of an orchestra are visible, including two cellists in the mid-ground. The lighting is moody, with purple and white highlights catching the performers against the dark stage.

Music

Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson co-headline tour in Tampa this summer

They’ll raise us up.

by Josh Bradley December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

Jack Met of AJR performing live on stage, singing into a microphone, wearing a white t-shirt and his signature fuzzy hat under red and blue concert lighting.

Music

AJR plays a free concert in Tampa tomorrow

Ordinaryish people unite.

by Josh Bradley December 16, 2025December 17, 2025

A dramatic portrait of two people with striking makeup, standing against a dark, slate-blue background. They are wearing clothing made of white coiling cords or cables, creating a sculptural, artistic effect.

Music

Tour celebrating Brandy & Monica’s 1998 hit comes to Tampa on Friday

Be ready for two separate headlining sets along with shared stage time.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

A highly dramatic concert photo showing the band in silhouette against bright orange and yellow flames. The stage rigging above is visible in the intense, high-contrast lighting.

Music

It’s not the holidays if Trans-Siberian Orchestra doesn’t do a Tampa concert

The ensemble plays a doubleheader this weekend.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

A performer with long curly blonde hair stands on stage wearing a flowing black outfit, eyes closed and hands raised slightly as she sings into a microphone draped with scarves. Blue and purple stage lighting illuminates the dark background.

Music

Review: Stevie Nicks covers 15,000 Tampa fans in gold dust

Timeless as ever, the 77-year-old worked through 15 songs at Benchmark International Arena.

by Ray Roa December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

A medium shot of the rapper Playboi Carti leaning casually against a dark blue wall. He is wearing a black leather jacket over a black t-shirt, dark jeans, and a black durag. He has a silver chain necklace visible, and his right arm is raised, resting against a doorframe, as he looks off to the side.

Music

Playboy Carti returns to Tampa this weekend

Type shit.

by Selene San Felice November 25, 2025November 25, 2025

A striking, high-contrast silhouette of two people standing behind a large console or setup on a dark stage. A vibrant, vertical beam of bright green laser light runs down the center of the image, illuminating the air and creating a distinct, textured backdrop behind the figures. The green light also catches the edges of the console and equipment on either side, highlighting the concert setting.

Music

Photos: Justice, Kaytranada thrill EDM fans at Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena

Neverender.

by Josh Bradley November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine seated in a window frame of a rustic, peeling room, surrounded by large, white, clam-shell-like sculptures on the floor. She is looking directly at the camera.

Music

Florence + The Machine return to Tampa this spring

Everybody scream.

by Josh Bradley November 10, 2025November 10, 2025

Country singer Lainey Wilson performs on a large stadium stage, wearing a yellow cowboy hat, a floral shirt, and vibrant pink bell-bottom pants, facing a massive, packed crowd in the stands.

Music

‘Time 100’ country singer Lainey Wilson plays Tampa on Friday

‘She’s a legend already,’ says Miranda Lambert

by Matthew Moyer November 6, 2025November 6, 2025

Black and white portrait of Geddy Lee (left), with long hair and glasses, and Alex Lifeson (right), with short light hair, of the band Rush. Both men are smiling and wearing dark jackets, with Lifeson's arm around Lee's shoulder.

Music

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson bringing Rush reunion tour to Tampa next year

New world, man.

by Josh Bradley October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

Ice Cube on stage, wearing a black jersey and sunglasses, holding the microphone out and gesturing with his left hand towards the crowd.

Music

Photos: Ice Cube brings ‘Four Decades of Attitude’ to Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena

He was joined onstage by Lil Eazy-E, son of Cube’s late N.W.A bandmate Eazy-E

by Ray Roa and Ryan Kern October 13, 2025October 16, 2025

Close-up portrait of Doja Cat with very short, platinum blonde hair, looking to the side with her mouth slightly open. She's wearing a light beige, crocheted halter top, a thick gold chain, and cross earrings. She is lying on or against a textured background of white or cream-colored fleece or sheepskin.

Music

Doja Cat bringing new ‘Tour Ma Vie’ to Tampa next year

Attention.

by Josh Bradley October 2, 2025October 2, 2025

A female musician with long blonde hair and sunglasses is performing on a stage. She is smiling and singing into a microphone while holding a black electric guitar. Bright stage lights illuminate her from the side, and another musician is partially visible behind a keyboard to her right.

Music

Maren Morris plays free Tampa concert next month

Holy smoke.

by Josh Bradley September 29, 2025September 30, 2025

Machine Gun Kelly performs on stage wearing a white bucket hat, sunglasses, and a cropped white t-shirt, showing his torso tattoos. He is holding a pink guitar with a black star design.

Music

Machine Gun Kelly bringing ‘Lost Americana’ tour to Tampa this winter

Remember when he got arrested in St. Pete?

by Josh Bradley September 25, 2025September 25, 2025