live music in Tampa Bay Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A group portrait of the five members of the band Donna the Buffalo standing outdoors in a desert landscape. From left to right: Kyle Spark, Mark Raudabaugh, Tara Nevins, Jeb Puryear, and David McCracken. They are all smiling and dressed in casual, roots-rock attire, including flannel shirts and denim. Tara Nevins, in the center, wears a blue plaid shirt and a decorative belt, while Jeb Puryear to her right wears a patterned hat. The background features a large, rocky hill under the soft glow of golden hour light, with a rustic wooden building visible on the left.

Music

Before NYE gig in Clearwater, Donna The Buffalo’s Tara Nevins recalls the best gig she ever saw

by Josh Bradley December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

There’s currently no telling whether Jim Lauderdale will show up for a guest spot, but expect an accordion-drenched career retrospective to kiss 2025’s ass goodbye next week.

Music

Photos: Chiodos, Hawthorne Heights, more tear up The Ritz Ybor

by Josh Bradley December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

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 large group of people celebrating at a club. A performer in the foreground, wearing a yellow wig and a brightly colored outfit, strikes a dramatic pose with a hand raised on a platform overlooking the crowd.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening December 11-18

In the holiday spirit, bigtime.

by Ray Roa December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

A low-angle, full-body outdoor shot of the six members of the band Ax and the Hatchetmen standing on a brick pathway. The group is positioned in front of lush, tall green hedges and some flowering plants under a cloudy sky. The members are wearing casual, individualistic clothing. From left to right: a man in a red and black plaid shirt over a white tee; a man in a light grey striped cardigan over a white shirt; a man in a white dress shirt with a black tie and black pants; the central figure, a tall man in a light blue short-sleeved button-up shirt and dark wide-leg jeans, striking a confident pose; a man in a black t-shirt and light wash jeans; and a man in a brown suede vest and matching trousers with a prominent mustache and curly hair.

Music

Ahead of return to Ybor City, Ax and The Hatchetmen’s Axel Ellis recalls the best gig he ever saw

So much to tell about Alabama Shakes.

by Josh Bradley December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

A full-length promotional photo of the rock band Evanescence, featuring five members standing in a dimly lit, warehouse-like space. The room is saturated with a dramatic red glow from vertical light tubes placed on either side of the band and behind them. The floor is reflective, mirroring the red light.

Music

Evanescence bringing stacked world tour to Tampa this summer

The game is *not* over.

by Josh Bradley December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

Vincent Neil Emerson, wearing a denim shirt and jeans, sits on a wooden chair and plays an acoustic guitar. He is in a cozy room with dark green bookshelves flanking a fireplace, a patterned black and white wall, and a large black and white checkered rug. A pinkish-orange velvet couch is visible on the right.

Music

Outlaw country troubadour Vincent Neil Emerson plays headlining Tampa show in February

If you feel that outlaw country music is on life support, you’ll gain a little bit of hope upon listening to the 33-year-old hidden gem.

by Josh Bradley December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

A close-up outdoor photo of a long-haired individual singing into a microphone. The subject is wearing dark sunglasses and a short-sleeved white button-down shirt with a small pattern. A tattoo is visible on their arm.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music and concerts happening December 4-11

Including a whole lot of festivals.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

A studio press photo of the country music trio Lady A. The three band members—Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood—stand in a line against a solid orange-yellow background. From left to right: Charles Kelley, with a beard, wears a rust-colored suit and a white shirt, looking off to the side. Hillary Scott, centered, smiles while looking at the camera, wearing a shimmering, champagne-colored, off-the-shoulder dress. Dave Haywood, on the right, wears a white collared shirt, dark trousers, and a black or dark brown leather jacket, looking towards the camera.

Music

Before Clearwater gig, Lady A’s Charles Kelley recalls the best gig he ever saw

Who doesn’t love a jam-band double feature?

by Josh Bradley December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

A high-contrast portrait of three adults. The central figure has their arm around the shoulder of the person on the left, while the person on the right is leaning in from behind. All three have short, dark, textured hair and serious expressions.

Music

Liverpudlian indie outfit The Wombats headline St. Pete gig in January

The trio hasn’t been in state since an opening slot for Weezer and the Pixies in Tampa’s old Gary amphitheater in 2018.

by Josh Bradley December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

Two members of Meet Me @ The Altar posing in the back seat of a car at night. One has vibrant neon green and blue braids, dark makeup, a nose ring, and is wearing fishnets. The other has dark hair, glasses, a lip ring, and a backwards baseball cap.

Music

Meet Me @ The Altar headlining Grrls Night concert in Ybor City in January

Say it to my face.

by Josh Bradley 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

A publicity photo of Mötley Crüe in black and white. From left to right: Tommy Lee is smoking a cigarette; John 5, with light hair and a choker, stands next to him; Vince Neil is centered in a black leather jacket and sunglasses; and Nikki Sixx is on the far right, making a rock-on hand gesture.

Music

Mötley Crüe brings ‘Carnival of Sins’ revival tour to Tampa this summer

Knock ‘em dead, kids.

by Josh Bradley November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

A wide shot of the band All Time Low performing on a dimly lit stage. Two guitarists stand on a raised platform in the foreground. On the left, a man with gray hair and a green shirt plays a black electric guitar, smiling toward the front. In the center, a man in a red jacket, red cap, and dark pants sings into a microphone while playing a light brown electric guitar. A third band member with a mohawk is visible on the right, also playing guitar. A drummer is partially visible in the lower left corner. The stage is dark, illuminated by red and white stage lights.

Music

Photos: All Time Low, Mayday Parade, more bring Warped Tour vibes to downtown Clearwater

Remembering Saturday.

by Josh Bradley and Caitlin Carter November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

A promotional photo of the current Queensrÿche lineup, featuring Todd La Torre, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Casey Grillo, and Mike Stone, standing on a brick ground in front of a dark, stylized mural. They are all wearing black clothes and sunglasses.

Music

Prog-metal giant Queensrÿche returns to downtown St. Pete in December

Anybody listening?

by Josh Bradley November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

The eight members of the band Tuba Skinny pose in a grassy backyard setting with their instruments, including a banjo, tuba, trumpet, trombone, washboard, and guitars, with a brindle dog resting in the foreground.

Music, Show Previews, Tampa Bay Journalism Project, Things to Do

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening Nov. 21-27

Including Suncoast Jazz Festival, St. Pete Country Fest, and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

The ornate interior of the historic Centro Asturiano de Tampa theater, showing the stage, balcony, and rows of seating.

Music

Kids get in free when Florida Orchestra plays Mozart and Handel this weekend

TFO plays Centro Asturiano Saturday night and does a Sunday matinee in St. Petersburg.

by Ray Roa November 20, 2025November 20, 2025

Close-up portrait of the musician Kaytranada, wearing a white shirt and gold chain with a cross pendant, looking off-camera against a dark red backdrop.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening Nov. 14-20

Including Kaytranada, Vortxz, Kids Like Us, Sweet Pill, and more.

by Ray Roa November 14, 2025November 14, 2025

The five members of the band Three Days Grace. From left to right: a man in a gray shirt, a man in a light denim jacket, a man in a black t-shirt and camouflage pants holding his hands together, a man in a dark gray sweater, and a man with a long, thick beard in a black leather-look jacket.

Music

98 Rockfest returns in 2026 with headliners Three Days Grace, I Prevail

Never too late.

by Josh Bradley November 12, 2025November 12, 2025