live music in Clearwater Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

Music

Todd Rundgren will try to play your favorite song during two-night Clearwater stand

A lucky fan may even be able to come onstage to bang the drum on Thursday or Friday.

by Ray Roa June 24, 2026June 24, 2026

Fans disappointed in not hearing their preferred Todd Rundgren song on recent tours might be in luck this time around. The 77-year-old prog-rock wizard promises to play more familiar songs when his “Damned If I Do” band—which includes bassist Kasim Sulton and drummer Prairie Prince in addition to keyboardist Gil Assayas, guitarist Bruce McDaniel, and […]

A tight, medium-shot portrait of singer-songwriter Steve Earle. They are facing the camera with a steady, intense expression. They have thinning gray hair, circular wire-rimmed glasses, and a long, pointed gray beard. They are wearing a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt with a subtle, small-scale patterned print. The subject is lit from the side by strong, warm light that highlights the texture of their face and beard, casting the opposite side of their face into shadow. The background is a dark, out-of-focus brick wall.

Music

Fresh off Steve Buscemi collaboration, ‘City of Immigrants’ songwriter Steve Earle returns to Clearwater

He’s at Capitol Theatre on June 11.

by Ray Roa June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

A side-by-side split photograph featuring musicians Ziggy Marley and Warren Haynes. In the left panel, Ziggy Marley is performing live on stage, bathed in bright blue lighting. They have long dreadlocks and are wearing a brown, short-sleeved patterned shirt, passionately singing into a red microphone with their head tilted back while playing a sunburst electric guitar. In the right panel, Warren Haynes of Gov't Mule is seated indoors against a textured, softly lit pink and purple wall. They have long blonde hair and are wearing a black long-sleeved top and dark jeans, looking down intently at the frets of a light-colored electric guitar as they play.

Music

Gov’t Mule and Ziggy Marley bring ‘Dreaming the Same Dream’ tour—and Yola—to Clearwater this fall

Despite varying sounds and intensities, the two acts have long shared a similar message.

By J.C. Roddy/Cigar City SoundsJune 1, 2026June 1, 2026

A close-up studio portrait of singer-songwriter Jason Mraz posing against a solid, light beige background. They are wearing a tan fedora with a dark band and a blue denim button-down shirt that is slightly unbuttoned at the collar. Mraz is looking directly at the camera with a subtle, relaxed smile. The bright, even lighting highlights their casual wardrobe and creates a calm, approachable atmosphere.

Music

Interview: Jason Mraz talks okra, equality and more ahead of Clearwater concert

Gregory Page opens for the two-time Grammy-winner at Ruth Eckerd Hall this weekend.

by Ray Roa May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

A horizontal promotional photograph of the rock band Bush standing together in front of a dark building exterior featuring a black metal roll-up door. From left to right: lead guitarist Chris Traynor wearing a black hoodie and a backward baseball cap; frontman Gavin Rossdale wearing a bold red and black flannel shirt; bassist Corey Britz, who has long dark hair, wearing a black button-up shirt; and drummer Nik Hughes, with short bleached-blonde hair, wearing a grey and green plaid short-sleeve button-down shirt. The four band members are looking directly at the camera with serious, relaxed expressions. The lighting is slightly underexposed, giving the portrait a gritty, urban atmosphere.

‘Razorblade Suitcase’ is 30 years old, and Bush will play a lot of it at Clearwater concert

Gavin Rossdale & co. play the BayCare Sound on Wednesday.

by Ray Roa May 8, 2026May 8, 2026

A live concert photograph of Brittany Howard, lead vocalist and guitarist for Alabama Shakes, performing on stage. Howard is captured from the chest up, singing passionately into a black microphone while playing a teal electric guitar with a yellow headstock. They have short dark hair, are wearing clear round glasses, and are dressed in a distinctive, voluminous light blue jacket covered in thick fringe. The stage behind them is illuminated by moody purple and green lighting, highlighting soft, cloud-like scenic props.

Music

Review: At Clearwater show, Alabama Shakes remind fans the band is always evolving

The April 30 performance blended early hits, deep emotion, and new songs into a set driven by memory and momentum.

by J.C. Roddy and Sandra Dohnert May 4, 2026May 4, 2026

Music

Interview: Graham Nash has a new song about ICE, lots of love for Florida, and still sends roses to Joni Mitchell every year

The ex-Hollie is back at Clearwater’s Bilheimer Capitol Theatre this month.

by Ray Roa April 14, 2026April 14, 2026

A low-angle close-up of country music legend Willie Nelson performing at a microphone. He is wearing his signature black cowboy hat and has his long grey hair in braids. A colorful, multi-strand beaded guitar strap is visible over his black t-shirt against a bright, slightly overexposed sky.

Music

Willie Nelson is coming to Clearwater this summer

He’ll be 93 years old by the time he lands at the BayCare Sound.

by Ray Roa April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

Musician John Legend performing live at a grand piano. He wears a maroon suit jacket over a white collared shirt and sings into a microphone. The background is dark with purple stage lighting and subtle bokeh light spots resembling stars.

Music

Interview: Before Clearwater concert, John Legend talks new Broadway project, prison reform, and more

EGOT out of the way, the 47-year-old reconnected with CL to talk parenting, preserving life and the things that get him worked up.

by Ray Roa March 15, 2026March 17, 2026

Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes wearing sunglasses and a black "How we Love is who we are" shirt, posing energetically with bandmates Zac Cockrell and Steve Johnson in a dimly lit room.

Music

Back from hiatus, hypnotic soul-rock band Alabama Shakes comes to Clearwater this spring

Lamont Landers opens at BayCare Sound.

By J.C. Roddy/Cigar City SoundsMarch 3, 2026March 3, 2026

Tampa Bay area blues guitarist Power Jimi performing live on stage with a white electric guitar under dramatic blue and yellow stage lights.

Clearwater’s no-cover Sea-Blues festival returns this weekend

Milovan Dudic reps for the hometown alongside headliners like North Mississippi Allstars.

by Ray Roa February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers band promo photo featuring guitarists Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia, and Jimmy Vivino at Thalia Hall in Chicago.

Music

Bill Murray brings his all-star blues band to Clearwater this spring

Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia are in the lineup for Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers.

by Laura Troyer January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

n aerial view of the Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church in Clearwater, Florida. The Mediterranean Revival style building features pink stucco walls and a prominent tower, situated near a body of water with a large bridge and city buildings in the background.

Music

Clearwater’s beautiful Peace Memorial Church hosts a Duke Ellington tribute on Sunday

James Suggs and Bryan J. Hughes lead a 3 p.m. matinee.

by Ray Roa January 6, 2026January 6, 2026

Close-up of legendary bluegrass musician Del McCoury smiling widely while playing an acoustic guitar on an outdoor stage, surrounded by microphones and band members; Photo by Sterling Munksgard.

Music

Del McCoury, living legend of bluegrass, plays Clearwater this weekend

A 2024 album is a clinic on storytelling that includes reimagined Elvis cuts and takes on songs by less-known luminaries like Lech Wierzynski.

by Ray Roa November 11, 2025November 11, 2025

Five members of the band Greensky Bluegrass sit on a sofa in a casual studio portrait against a teal wall; Photo by Tobin Voggesser.

Music

Greensky Bluegrass brings 25th anniversary album to Clearwater this month

The Michigan band is playing its largest Tampa Bay area headlining show to date.

by Ray Roa November 4, 2025November 4, 2025

Music

Review: T-Pain and friends bring authenticity and auto-tune to sold-out Clearwater show [PHOTOS]

For all his hits, T-Pain has been a teacher, showing that sound can evolve without apology, that technology can hold soul, and that independence doesn’t mean isolation.

by Isaiah Stephens October 30, 2025October 30, 2025

A portrait of Ryan Bingham sitting on the floor against a white wall. He is wearing a black cowboy hat and a gray collared shirt, and he has tattoos visible on his arms. He looks off to the left while resting his arms on an acoustic guitar.

Music

Grammy-winning ‘Yellowstone’ actor Ryan Bingham plays Clearwater on Tuesday

He just opened Zach Bryan’s record-breaking Michigan concert.

by Ray Roa October 16, 2025October 16, 2025

The large Tedeschi Trucks Band performs on stage under warm amber spotlights with a giant projection of an acoustic guitar above them.

Music

Review: In Clearwater, Tedeschi Trucks Band makes Apollo and Dionysus proud

Derek, Susan, and friends turned in a well-paced performance that favored tight arrangements and layered musicianship, over improvisational excess.

by Isaiah Stephens October 13, 2025October 17, 2025

A close-up of a man with dreadlocks and a goatee singing into a microphone. He is wearing a white collared shirt and a shimmering, multi-colored sequined blazer, with a guitar strap over his shoulder.

Music

Interview: Before return to Florida, Jon Batiste talks overcoming calamity, AI, and what’s next

He’s at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall on Oct. 8.

by Ray Roa October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

A group photo of six men standing and sitting along a curved metal guardrail with tall green bushes behind them, casually dressed in a mix of T-shirts, jackets, and hats.

Music

Cage the Elephant returns to Tampa Bay for 97X ‘Legends’ concert

Surf-psych crew The Moonrocks and jangly indie charmer Girl Tones open the show on Sept. 17.

by Sophia Lowrie September 12, 2025September 16, 2025