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It’s going to be a spectacular summer for live music around Tampa Bay.
Across the region, local venues are preparing for everything from mega stadium tours to intimate concerts that showcase Florida artists. There will be farewell shows, reunions and grand comebacks. And did we mention Beyoncé?
This is by no means a list of every great show coming to town, but it does include our top picks, plus a handful of honorable mentions that also sound fun. Have another concert you’re excited about? Email [email protected] to let us know.
Punk reunions
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/OPG36KRRKBDC3OJ7Z6ELSBDHHY.jpeg "Glenn Danzig, frontman of the Original Misfits, performs at Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany in 2018.")
The Original Misfits: Some of the first musicians behind the Misfits are embarking on a three-city summer run that includes Tampa. The iconic band, which pioneered the art of horror punk back in the 1970s and ’80s, has undergone a series of member swaps over the years. After a lot of stress and litigation, Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only, Acey Slade and Dave Lombardo now call themselves The Original Misfits. Fear and Megadeth are set to open the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre gig on Saturday, June 24.
Blink-182: One of pop punk’s most influential trios is back together again and will have you asking (and screaming at the top of your lungs) “What’s My Age Again?” Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker will swing by Amalie Arena on Monday, July 10. The group will be playing the hits, plus some new tunes from the band’s soon-to-be-released new album, DeLonge’s first with Blink since 2011. Come early to see the opening set from up-and-coming hardcore band Turnstile.
Today’s divas
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5RADFPG7TP7TZD47AOGEEEY7CQ.jpg "Beyoncé accepts the award for best dance/electronic album during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles.")
Beyoncé: The Renaissance Tour — coming to Raymond James Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 16 — is perhaps the biggest pop show this year besides Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Much like Swift, Queen Bey has been singing for up to three hours straight in many cities, although instead of spending too much time in each of her eras, she’s going in deep on her seventh album, 2022′s “Renaissance.” Each song on the clubby, disco-inspired dance record has a spot on the setlist, along with a handful of deep cuts that ensure the night will be a booty-shaking affair. Fans can even purchase VIP tickets for an area at the front of the stage called Club Renaissance, which features its own bar and enough room to boogie.
SZA: The Grammy-winning singer is continuing her S.O.S. Tour, named for her highly-streamed sophomore album, at Amalie Arena on Friday, Sept. 22. Expect to hear TikTok faves like ”Kill Bill” from the R&B superstar, plus keep an eye out for a flashy opener. Previous SZA tour dates have featured support from Omar Apollo, Phoebe Bridgers and Lizzo.
’80s superstars return
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KTCI7WY3FTNOKVXAZIHT4FNBCI.jpg "LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 23: Frontman Robert Smith and The Cure perform at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MM5ST76AWFAT3CHHZIYIWENSUM.JPG "Planning your weekend?")
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The Cure: Robert Smith and Co. are returning to Tampa for the first time since 2008. The 30-stop North American tour is not just a celebration of the Cure’s long career and upcoming “Songs of a Lost World” record. It also is a victory lap for a rare win against Ticketmaster. Smith made headlines with his all-caps tweetstorms calling out the company and demanding fair prices for his fans. And when Ticketmaster tacked on high fees to the band’s actually affordable ticket prices, Smith insisted on getting refunds for fans — one of the many reasons why he is a hero to goths everywhere. The Twilight Sad will open the gig at Amalie Arena on Thursday, June 29.
Madonna: The original pop superstar, who did the whole rebrand-for-a-new-era thing before it was cool, is bringing her Celebration Tour to Amalie Arena on Thursday, Sept. 7. Believe it or not, this is only Madonna’s second time playing Tampa in her four-decade-long career. (The last visit was in 1985 at what was then called the USF Sun Dome.) The Material Girl will be joined by special guest Bob the Drag Queen, aka Caldwell Tidicue.
Hot rap shows
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/AW34SGANLG6XF65QDJKYA6S6CE.jpg "Post Malone performs on day one of the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival on Friday, May 26, 2023, at the Napa Valley Expo in Napa, Calif.")
Post Malone: The tattoo-covered singer, a staple on both frat bro playlists and the “Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse” soundtrack, is coming to Tampa’s MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Thursday, Aug. 1. The concert comes days after the release of Posty’s fifth album, “Austin,” which nods to his real name, Austin Post.
Wu-Tang Clan and Nas: Two of the greatest hip-hop acts are coming to Tampa for — what else? — a pool party. The end-of-summer shindig takes place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, with De La Soul opening. Cross your fingers, book your cabana and pray the peak-of-hurricane-season rain steers clear of this bash.
Florida stars
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/A4BCCJXGTNATRHILVE2R4CDNCU.jpg "Selwyn Birchwood, lead singer and guitarist for the Selwyn Birchwood Band, plays at the St. Pete Pier during Fourth of July celebrations, Sunday, July 4, 2021 in St. Petersburg.")
Selwyn Birchwood: The Florida-born blues singer and guitarist will soon play two area concerts: an in-store performance at St. Pete’s Daddy Kool Records on Thursday, June 8, and a Skipper’s Smokehouse show in Tampa on Friday, June 9. The gig will celebrate Birchwood’s latest Alligator Records release, “EXORCIST.” The lead single, “FLorida Man,” includes lyrics ripped from local lore: “Florida Man gets drunk and shoots guns at hurricanes / Florida man gets high on bath salts and eats your face.”
Damon Fowler: The Brandon native is bringing his blend of Southern blues, sacred steel and roots rock to the Palladium’s Side Door in support of his latest album, “Alafia Moon.” The venue is particularly special to Fowler, who recorded a live album there last summer. He returns on Friday, July 28.
Last chances
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/G4X5AY4TBVWQ3CGGWXLIM736GA.jpg "Musician Kenny Loggins attends the world premiere of \"Top Gun: Maverick\" aboard the USS Midway in San Diego on May 4, 2022.")
Kenny Loggins: This is it, “Top Gun” fans. The “Danger Zone” singer is bringing his final tour to the Sound at Coachman Park on Saturday, Sept. 16. It’ll be a great opportunity to cut loose for the last time, and a chance to say hello to Clearwater’s newest music venue, which opens this June.
Foreigner: The British-American rockers are also giving Tampa Bay a chance to say goodbye. “I want to go out while the band is still at the top of its game,” said guitarist Mick Jones, who is also the last remaining original member, in a Billboard interview last year. The Foreigner farewell tour, opened by fellow ’80s band Loverboy, hits the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre Sunday, July 9.
Country kings
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/URPDNYGKM4I6TODGIBWI6S7HAY.jpg "Eric Church is returning to Tampa this summer.")
Luke Combs: After releasing his fourth studio album, “Gettin’ Old,” earlier this spring, Luke Combs is bringing his world tour to Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, July 8. Riley Green, Lainey Wilson, Flatland Cavalry and Brent Cobb are coming along to open.
Eric Church: When the country singer hits MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Saturday, Sept. 30, it’ll be the second-to-last stop on his “Outsiders Revival” tour. But don’t expect him to seem tired. When Eric Church came to town in 2017, he played two sets over 3½ hours, bringing nine microphones and no opening acts. This time, Whiskey Myers will join.
On the rise
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/I7VPL77RD5G63AKQM4JZEAACEQ.jpeg "UK rock and post-punk band Black Midi is playing at The Orpheum in Tampa this summer.")
Black Midi: With a unique sound that is both melodic and restless, the London post-punk band has earned critical acclaim on both sides of the pond. The New York Times called their latest album “Hellfire” a “masterpiece.” You can be the judge at their concert at the Orpheum on Saturday, June 24.
Men I Trust: The dreamy indie pop band from Montreal is playing a show at St. Petersburg’s Jannus Live on Thursday, June 15. Band members have shared plans to hunker down and wrap up a new record after this tour, so see them while you can. Tops, a band of fellow Canadians, will open.
Honorable mentions
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WVOD4NWIHYI6TGNIIBWI6S7HAY.jpg "Lionel Richie performs at Amalie Arena in this 2017 photo. On Sunday, the singer-songwriter will return to the Tampa venue with his Hello tour.")
- Duran Duran: The British New Wave group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year. Watch them rock out at Amalie Arena Saturday, June 17.
- The Beths: The high-energy New Zealand indie rockers are headed to Ybor City’s Crowbar on Wednesday, Jun 21.
- Tori Amos: After celebrating the 30th anniversary of her solo debut album, “Little Earthquakes,” last year, the iconic singer-songwriter is bringing her North American Tour to Ruth Eckerd Hall on Sunday, June 18.
- Fall Out Boy: If you still have your skinny jeans and Vans on from the Blink-182 show, stick around for some emo escapades at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre Tuesday, July 25. Bring Me the Horizon, Royal & the Serpent and Carr are set to open.
- Lionel Richie with Earth Wind & Fire: The smooth singer-turned-”American Idol” judge always brings a fun time to town (and recently, to the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in England). Richie will be joined by Earth Wind & Fire for an epic singalong show at Amalie Arena Saturday, Aug. 26.
- Sam Hunt: With crossover pop and country appeal, plus a slew of radio singles such as “Body Like a Back Road,” Sam Hunt is sure to bring down the house during his MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre concert on Thursday, Sept. 7.
- Lil Baby: The diamond-certified rapper is taking his 32-date “It’s Only Us” Tour to Amalie Arena on Friday, Sept. 15, bringing along a stacked lineup of openers including The Kid LAROI, GloRilla, GLOSS UP, Rylo Rodriguez and Hunxho.
- Death Grips: The belligerent, Internet-beloved rap and electronic trio have already sold out their Jannus Live show on Saturday, Sept. 30.
