Oscura Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A wide-angle, low-light photo taken outside a music venue at night. A bearded man in a baseball cap and black t-shirt is smiling, looking off to the right while holding flyers. In the background, patrons are gathered near the red entrance door of the building, which has the address 1812 visible.

Music

Chewy Hemphill’s final Pre-Fest concerts happen this week in Bradenton

More than a dozen bands literally from across the world will join regional and local punk outfits

by Ray Roa October 15, 2026October 19, 2026

Chewy Hemphill’s Pre-Fest punk-rock festival celebrates its 10th anniversary, and final outing, with a two-day lineup happening in Bradenton.

A promotional group portrait photograph by Holly Whitaker showing members of the Zamrock band W.I.T.C.H., c. 2025 posing outdoors against lush green tropical foliage and red brick walling. Standing in the back center, lead vocalist Emmanuel "Jagari" Chanda wears a vibrant patterned red top with a matching hooded jacket, dark sunglasses, and a red headpiece. To his left stands a band member in a red and black paisley shirt with tinted round sunglasses, and to his right, a band member in a black kimono-style jacket over a white top. Seated in front, two band members wear colorful patterned shirts—one in a grey short-sleeved button-up with red underneath, and the other in a brightly striped yellow, red, and green top—completing the five-member lineup under soft outdoor light.

Music

Legendary Zamrock band WITCH plays Bradenton concert on Wednesday

A 2025 album, ‘Sogolo,’ taps into desert rock, Sabbath, African folk, and more.

by Ray Roa September 11, 2026September 11, 2026

A high-energy, close-up shot of a shirtless drummer performing on a dark stage. The individual has a shaved head, is wearing large black headphones, and is shouting into a microphone with a wide-mouthed expression of intense focus. They are holding wooden drumsticks mid-performance, with the scene illuminated by a dramatic blue spotlight in the upper right corner.

Music

Photos: Sex Mex brings Texas flavor to Bradenton

Pet Lizard, Wolf-Face, and Spanish Bombs opened.

by Ray Roa and Ryan Metcalf February 9, 2026February 9, 2026

A dramatic black-and-white, high-contrast action shot of a shirtless person with short hair and glasses. They are captured mid-movement with one leg kicked high into the air toward the left of the frame and one arm raised, their muscles tensed and expression focused. The background is entirely black, making the subject appear spotlighted in the darkness.

Music

Jay Reatard-channeling Texas band Sex Mex comes to Bradenton on Friday

A gig well worth the short road trip from Tampa or St. Pete.

by Ray Roa February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

Music

Early Pearl Jam drummer David Abbruzzese helped Tampa Bay band Shy Blossom record its new EP

The band releases it this weekend at Oscura

by Josh Bradley May 7, 2025July 5, 2025

Music

New Epitaph Records signee Mamalarky plays Bradenton on Friday

‘So Wrong,’ but so good, too.

by Ray Roa February 12, 2025February 20, 2025

Music

Metal supergroup Cunningham Wake will preview new album in Bradenton this Friday

RIP, MG.

by Josh Bradley September 26, 2024February 22, 2025

Music

Dirtbike plays stacked indie-pop concert in Bradenton

Tampa art-pop band Mtvh1n1 makes a rare appearance for this one alongside St. Pete outfit Chaunces.

by Ray Roa August 29, 2024September 2, 2024

Music

Bandmates of late Losing Game drummer Joe Bucci play a Bradenton benefit concert this weekend

Bucci died last February.

by Josh Bradley July 25, 2024March 5, 2025

Music

St. Pete’s Fear The Spider opens a stacked punk gig in Bradenton

It’s at Oscura.

by Ray Roa June 6, 2024April 10, 2025

Music

English classic rock band Foghat bringing new album and more to Clearwater on Friday

Take it easy.

by Ray Roa June 6, 2024July 10, 2024

Music

Bradenton’s punk-rock flea market returns to Oscura on Sunday

Because what’s more punk than shopping?

by Josh Bradley April 25, 2024June 27, 2025

Music

The Steel Crows, who’re inspired by ’70s arena-rock, play Bradenton this weekend

Bring your Crüe-loving crew.

by Josh Bradley April 25, 2024October 5, 2024

Music

Photos: Bradenton’s In Transit celebrates new EP at Oscura

by Ray Roa April 22, 2024

Music

Michigan metalcore band For The Fallen Dreams plays Easter Sunday concert in Bradenton

Elijah and Versus Me, as well as local synthwave legends Chasing Airplanes open.

by Josh Bradley March 27, 2024February 18, 2025

Music

Wolf-Face among bands playing Refused and Taking Back Sunday cover sets in Bradenton this weekend

Gainesville’s You Vandal is on the bill, too.

by Ray Roa March 27, 2024April 28, 2025

Music

Miami rock band Palomino Blond is back in the Bay area for a Friday concert

Pilot Jonezzz and The Don’t Belongs open at Oscura.

by Josh Bradley March 20, 2024June 23, 2025

Music

After triumphant Gasparilla Music Festival set, electro duo Alien House plays Sarasota concert

The band is at Oscura this weekend.

by Josh Bradley March 13, 2024March 20, 2024

Music

Florida emo-punk giant Camp Trash takes ‘The Long Way, The Slow Way’ to Bradenton this weekend

The band is one of the state’s most dynamic rock outfits.

by Ray Roa March 6, 2024May 25, 2025

Music

Donefor’s 2023 single ‘You’re Welcome’ would’ve dominated Warped Tour

The band plays Bradenton this weekend.

by Josh Bradley February 28, 2024May 28, 2025