The Black Keys roll into Clearwater for a show on July 28 at the BayCare Sound.

The Black Keys roll into Clearwater for a show on July 28 at the BayCare Sound. [ Photo by LARRY NIEHUES/WARNER RECORDS ]

Music scene: A quick look at concerts and music festivals on the way to the Tampa Bay area

By LEE CLARK ZUMPE, Tampa Bay Beacons

The BayCare Sound

The Black Keys

CLEARWATER — Grammy award-winning rock duo The Black Keys will bring their “Peaches ‘N Kream World Tour” to the Tampa Bay area with a performance on Tuesday, July 28, 7 p.m., at The BayCare Sound, 255 Drew St., Clearwater.

Tickets start at $62.50. Visit www.rutheckerdhall.com.

The Black Keys released their new studio album “Peaches!” in May 1 via Easy Eye Sound/Warner Records. The band’s 14th studio album is a visceral and raw 10-song collection described by singer Dan Auerbach as the band’s “most natural record” since their 2002 debut, “The Big Come Up.” The project was born in the wake of Auerbach’s late father’s diagnosis of esophageal cancer, as he was staying in Dan’s Nashville home, in rapid decline. Patrick Carney, Auerbach’s Black Keys bandmate and oldest, closest friend, knew without asking “that it would be good for Dan to have something to do.” That something, of course, was to head into the studio and crank up the amps.

“We weren’t making a record. We were just jamming, like this is for us,” Auerbach said. “Really primal, in a moment when all the nerves were raw, just kinda screaming. We were going through a lot, trying to lift our spirits.”

In similar DIY spirit to their debut, the album was recorded with all musicians playing in the same room with very few overdubs, and is the first album mixed entirely by the band themselves since 2006’s Magic Potion.

“Everything was all cut live in one with no separation, including vocals,” adds Patrick Carney. “It was a nightmare to mix but we got it sounding raw and filthy.”

The songs on “Peaches!” reflect the duo’s obsessive record-collecting habit, which in recent years has escalated into an ongoing series of Record Hang DJ-set dance parties. These hangs fueled a deeper period of musical archaeology for both of them.

“I’d look for 45s specifically to play at the record hangs,” Auerbach said, “but sometimes I’d find a song and think, ‘This might be fun for Pat and me to play live.’”

After more than two decades, five Grammy awards, worldwide sales of 10 million-plus, streams in the billions, and countless sold-out shows, The Black Keys still operate the same way. To this day, the duo write, record, and produce music together, jamming like no one’s watching, disregarding the rules, and following their own creative impulses without compromise. Since their inception, they have consistently captivated audiences with seismic live performances and a fluid and fiery body of work. Following influential favorites such as “Thickfreakness” (2003) and “Magic Potion” (2006), they made waves with 2008’s gold-certified “Attack & Release.” In its wake, “Brothers” (2010) reached double-platinum status, received a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album, and spawned the staple “Tighten Up” — which notched a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

More recently, in 2025, the duo’s bond as bandmates and friends underscored their 13th full-length LP, “No Rain, No Flowers,” which earned Auerbach his fifth Producer of Year Grammy nomination.

Ruth Eckerd Hall

The Australian Pink Floyd Show

CLEARWATER — The Australian Pink Floyd Show will bring “The Happiest Days of Our Lives Tour” to the Tampa Bay area for a show on Friday, July 24, 8 p.m., at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater.

Tickets start at $44.25. Visit www.rutheckerdhall.com or call 727-791-7400.

The Australian Pink Floyd Show will take the stage with a collection of greatest hits that resonate deeply with Pink Floyd fans worldwide. Featuring a new stage set and video animation, cutting-edge lighting, precision lasers, massive inflatables, and impeccable live sound, TAPFS promises to offer an unforgettable experience for both long-time fans and newcomers. Covering music from every era of Pink Floyd’s evolution, this tour highlights TAPFS’s unwavering commitment to the legacy of Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Richard Wright, and Nick Mason, delivering an authentic and heartfelt tribute to the legendary Pink Floyd productions.

Performing the music of Pink Floyd with note for note perfection, this critically acclaimed show has been astonishing audiences worldwide for nearly 40 years. Reproducing the complete Pink Floyd experience and bringing the music to new audiences, TAPFS inspired a whole new genre of acts.

Ruth Eckerd Hall

The second annual Yacht Rock Summer

CLEARWATER — The second annual Yacht Rock Summer will take place on Saturday, July 25, 7 p.m., at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater.

Tickets start at $49.75. Visit www.rutheckerdhall.com or call 727-791-7400.

The concert will feature Pablo Cruise, Orleans and David Pack, the former lead singer of Ambrosia.

From 1975 to 1985, Pablo Cruise toured the United States, Canada and Japan extensively, reaching the Top 10 with mega hits like “Whatcha Gonna Do When She Says Goodbye?,” “Love Will Find a Way” and several other Top 20 hit songs. The band went on to release seven studio albums, selling several million albums and singles collectively and established themselves as respected writers and performers within the industry.

Today, Pablo Cruise is bringing more energy and excitement to the stage than ever before and with the addition of Larry Antonino and Robbie Wyckoff, the band has never sounded better.

Orleans is best known as the pop/rock band that brought you the classic ’70s hits “Still the One,” “Dance With Me” and “Love Takes Time.” Now in its 54th year, Orleans has produced a body of work spanning more than 17 albums and four DVDs. The band continues to be in demand for live performances, as they have been for the past five decades. Led by co-founder Lance Hoppen, brother and long-standing member Lane Hoppen with relative newcomers Brady Spencer, Tom Lane and Tony Hooper comprise the touring band, delivering Orleans‘ music with power, class and integrity to appreciative audiences everywhere.

David Pack has won international acclaim both for his solo work and his stellar turn as co-founder-former frontman for the legendary rock group Ambrosia. He is “the voice” and sole writer of all Ambrosia gold classic hit songs known around the world. He is also a Grammy-winning record producer and music director-producer of global special events including both of President Clinton’s inaugurals; as well as charitable events for Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Billy Joel, Oprah, and a host of others. Pack’s collective works have sold over 50 million units worldwide. His music mentors and lifelong friends were the late Leonard Bernstein and Quincy Jones.

Vertical Horizon plays Jannus Live on July 24.
Vertical Horizon plays Jannus Live on July 24. [ Photo by ROBIN THOMPSON/ABC PR ]

Jannus Live

Vertical Horizon & Tonic

ST. PETERSBURG — Vertical Horizon and Tonic will perform on Friday, July 24, 6 p.m., at Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg.

Tickets start at $45. Visit www.jannuslive.com.

Founded in the early 1990s as a duo, Vertical Horizon released three albums independently, including “There and Back Again,” “Running on Ice,” and “Live Stages.” They also toured extensively. In 1999, Vertical Horizon signed with RCA and experienced meteoric success with “Everything You Want,” selling over 2 million copies. The title song captured the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Adult Top 40 charts, and went on to become the most played single of 2000. Having carved out a page in the annals of music history, the band also garnered further radio attention with “You’re a God,” which reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Adult Chart; and “Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning),” which became a 2005 Top 20 country hit for country star, Gary Allan.

As a follow-up, in 2003, the band released “Go.” Tracks such as “Inside,” “I’m Still Here,” and “Forever” provided true commercial appeal, whereas the deeper tracks, like “When You Cry,” “Sunshine,” and “Echo” kept the band established as a formidable, no-nonsense rock entity. Unfortunately, music-industry mismanagement drove the band to seek a hiatus from “the business,” and they took time to reevaluate the creative process and distribution model. After some time away, Vertical Horizon emerged with the same conclusion their fans had: you can’t keep a good band down.

The story of Tonic revolves around the longstanding, close brotherhood shared among members Emerson Hart (vocals and guitar), Jeff Russo (lead guitar), and Dan Lavery (bass). Since 1996, the Grammy Award-nominated multi-platinum trio has consistently delivered anthemic and undeniable rock fashioned from eloquent song craft, lyrical honesty, and unshakable melodies. Along the way, they translated true experiences and real memories into a storied catalog that resounds as loudly today as it did over two decades ago.

Catherine Hickman Theater

Kid Royal Band

GULFPORT — Kid Royal Band will perform on Saturday, July 25, 7 p.m., at the Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport.

Tickets start at $30. Visit mygulfport.us/events/.

Chris “Kid” Royal isn’t your typical local musician. By age 15, he was already performing with legendary blues artists connected to Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Albert Collins, and Muddy Waters. At just 16, he traveled to Austin, Texas, where the legendary Clifford Antone — mentor to Stevie Ray Vaughan and countless blues greats — was so impressed that he invited Chris to stay and immerse himself in the blues tradition.

Over the past 25 years, Kid Royal has performed around the world, including the Montreal Jazz Festival and Norway’s renowned Notodden Blues Festival. He has opened for Peter Frampton and Eric Burdon and shared stages with blues icons including Jeff Healey, Eric Gales, Sue Foley, and Ronnie Earl.

Today, the Kid Royal Band features some of Tampa Bay’s finest musicians, delivering a powerful blend of blues, soul, roots rock, and original music that leaves audiences energized and inspired.

Steve Arvey plays the Palladium on July 25.
Steve Arvey plays the Palladium on July 25. [ Photo SUBMITTED ]

The Palladium

Steve Arvey & Reverend Billy C. Wirtz

ST. PETERSBURG — Steve Arvey and Reverend Billy C. Wirtz will perform on Saturday, July 25, 8 p.m., at the Palladium at St. Petersburg College, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg.

Tickets start at $20. Visit mypalladium.org.

Arvey began his career playing the Chicago blues circuit during the ’70’s. During that period he shared the stage with many of the legendary blues masters from the Windy City. Now living in Florida, Arvey is a fixture at major festivals and nightclubs throughout the South, Europe and the Caribbean. He is also considered by many to be one of the top cigar box guitar players in the world today.

Reverend Billy C. Wirtz has long been celebrated not only for his masterful piano playing and deep understanding of vintage Blues, R&B, and boogie woogie traditions, but also as a brilliant comedian and entertainer. His sharp humor, colorful storytelling, and energetic stage presence have made him a longtime favorite among roots music fans across the country.

Skipper’s Smokehouse

Peace of Woodstock

TAMPA — Peace of Woodstock will perform on Saturday, July 25, 8 p.m., at Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa.

Tickets are $15 in advance. Visit skipperssmokehouse.com.

This touring tribute show out of Tampa celebrates the songs, spirit, and live energy of Woodstock for theaters, festivals, venues, and private events. This show will take you on a musical journey from the acoustic opening act of Richie Havens through the closing moments of the festival with the explosive, electric sounds of Jimi Hendrix.

Lionel Richie plays the Benchmark International Arena on July 22.
Lionel Richie plays the Benchmark International Arena on July 22. [ Photo courtesy of RED LIGHT MANAGEMENT ]

Benchmark International Arena

Lionel Richie & Earth, Wind and Fire

TAMPA — Legendary singer, songwriter and producer Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind and Fire will perform on Wednesday, July 22, 7:30 p.m., at Benchmark International Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa.

Tickets start at $55.15. Visit www.benchmarkintlarena.com.

Richie boasts a discography of albums and singles that is second to none. With more than 125 million albums sold worldwide, an Oscar, Golden Globe and four Grammy Awards, Richie has been honored with distinctions including 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year and the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors. In March 2018, Richie cemented his iconic legacy as he imprinted his hand and footprints at Hollywood’s storied TCL Chinese Theatre. In 2022, he was both inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and received the 2022 American Music Awards Icon Award, his 18th AMA award. He also received the 2022 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress.

Earth, Wind & Fire are a music institution. In 1969, music legend Maurice White birthed the music force named after the elements from his very own astrological charts. With soul as deep as the plant, Earth, Wind & Fire charted a history that will live on forever. They’ve scored eight No. 1 hits and have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. They’ve released 23 albums; eight of those albums went double platinum and hit the Top 10, making them one of the best-selling artists of all time. They’ve won an impressive nine Grammy Awards including one for Lifetime Achievement in 2012. In 2000, Earth, Wind & Fire was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their lasting impact on popular music and, in 2019, their contributions to arts and culture were acknowledged in Washington DC with the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors.

Benchmark International Arena

Daniel Caesar

TAMPA — Daniel Caesar will perform on Thursday, July 23, 7:30 p.m., at Benchmark International Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Visit www.benchmarkintlarena.com.

Caesar is on the road in support of his album, “Son of Spergy.”

This past fall, Caesar released his new album Son Of Spergy, which debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 4 and Billboard R&B Album Chart at No. 1, his highest-charting body of work yet and first Top 10 album. Shortly after its release, he performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with a moving performance of the album track “Who Knows,” a runaway streaming hit.

“Son Of Spergy” serves as the follow-up to his Top 15 Billboard 200-charting album “Never Enough,” and includes previously released singles “Have A Baby (With Me),” “Call On Me” and most recently, “Moon,” all of which offer windows into the album’s central theme of reconciliation, specifically with his father.

From the intoxicating “Root Of All Evil,” to the Bon Iver-assisted “Moon,” Caesar spends the album interrogating himself in pursuit of purer, healthier relationships.

As a wildly successful artist at such a young age, Caesar lived much of his 20s in self-indulgence. The only people who ever told him no, whoever truly held him accountable, were his family members. Now, at 30 years old, he uses this album to animate his thoughts on core concepts: his own purpose on this Earth, what he means in relation to his parents, and how the world will change when he eventually becomes a dad.

Crowbar

High Fade

TAMPA — High Fade will perform on Thursday, July 23, 7 p.m., at Crowbar, 1812 N. 17th St., Tampa.

Tickets start at $30.90. Visit www.crowbarybor.com.

According to Arcade Talent Agency, High Fade is on a three-man crusade to set dance floors alight with their inimitable brand of razor-sharp funk and disco. Honing their sound on the streets of their native Edinburgh, the band are at their best when up close and personal with audiences. With over a thousand gigs now under their belt, their refined, infectious live performance has become an integral part of the band’s DNA, allowing them to put on a show that supersedes anything their fans have experienced before.

The Orpheum

The Word Alive

TAMPA — American metalcore outfit The Word Alive will perform on Saturday, July 25, 6 p.m., at the Orpheum, 14802 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa.

Tickets start at $31.24. Visit www.theorpheum.com.

Since emerging in 2009, the band has released seven albums, including “Deceiver” (2010), “Life Cycles” (2012), “Real (2014),” “Dark Matter” (2016), “Violent Noise” (2018), “Monomania” (2020), and “Hard Reset” (2023). Band members currently include vocalist Tyler Smith, guitarist, bassist and keyboardist Jose DelRio, guitarist and bassist Logan Abernethy, and drummer Devin Attard.

The Orpheum

King 810

TAMPA — Nu metal band King 810 will perform on Tuesday, July 28, 7 p.m., at the Orpheum, 14802 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa.

Tickets start at $28.69. Visit www.theorpheum.com.

Hailing from Flint, Michigan, King 810 is best known for exploring the darkest corners of life in a town renowned for its crime and poverty statistics. Since their formation in 2007, the band has crafted a sound that blends everything from crushing nu-metal riffs and twisted alt-rock, to experimental hip-hop, electronica and dark jazz.

The band’s debut album, “Memoirs of a Murderer,” was released in 2014 on Roadrunner Records. Their most recent album, “K8 Rustbelt Nu Metal 3,” was released in March.

The Ritz

Qveen Herby

TAMPA — Rapper, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Qveen Herby will perform on Friday, July 24, 7:30 p.m., at the Ritz Ybor, 1503 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa.

Tickets start at $50.53. Visit www.theritzybor.com.

Amy Renee Heidemann Noonan is better known by her stage name, Qveen Herby. Formerly part of the music duo Karmin, she launched her solo project in 2017, blending elements of R&B and hip-hop. According to her website, the platinum-selling independent artist exudes confidence, lyricism, and boss energy. Among her signature songs are earworms like “Vitamins” and “Sugar Daddy.”

The Ritz

Clarent

TAMPA — Puerto Rican singer and songwriter Clarent will perform on Saturday, July 25, 7 p.m., at the Ritz Ybor, 1503 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa.

Tickets start at $46.39. Visit www.theritzybor.com.

Fabián Cartagena Torres is best known by his stage name Clarent. A native of Caparra Terrace, San Juan-Puerto Rico, Clarent has steadily gained recognition for his authentic approach to urban music. Rooted in his community, his songs offer a window into life on the island while resonating with listeners far beyond its borders. He found international success with “IA,” a single which reached the No. 1 position on Spotify’s Top 200 in Spain. The song also charted in more than 20 countries including Italy, Mexico and the United States.

Selwyn Birchwood is set to perform at New World Tampa on July 24.
Selwyn Birchwood is set to perform at New World Tampa on July 24. [ Photo by PAUL MAY/ALLIGATOR RECORDS ]

New World Tampa

Selwyn Birchwood

TAMPA — Visionary guitarist, lap steel master, and vocalist Selwyn Birchwood will celebrate the release of his fifth Alligator Records album, “Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues,” with a concert on Friday, July 24, 7 p.m., at New World Tampa’s Music Hall, 810 Skagway Ave.

Ticktets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show.

Birchwood first hit the blues scene in 2011 with the self-released, self-produced “FL Boy.” After winning the 2013 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, beating 150 other bands, Birchwood found doors swinging open.

He took a big step forward in 2014 with his Alligator Records debut album, “Don’t Call No Ambulance.” The album earned rave reviews from critics and won both the Living Blues Award and the Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut. He followed in 2016 with fan-favorite “Pick Your Poison” and, in 2021, with the groundbreaking “Living in a Burning House.” He won the BMA Song of the Year Award for that album’s “I’d Climb Mountains.”

He followed up with “Exorcist” in 2023.

Now, Birchwood is back with “Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues,” his sixth Alligator Records album, released on March 27. The Award-winning Florida musician delivers 10 imaginative, laser-focused, vibrant original songs, produced by Birchwood and recorded in Florida. “Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues” is Birchwood’s own fully realized artistic statement, and the first of his Alligator albums that he has produced by himself.

“Producing allowed me to really take the wheel and steer the music to the exact destinations that I wanted to go,” the bluesman said in a press release. “It allowed me to present these songs with the full, three-dimensional sound that I have wanted all along.”

According to Birchwood, this album is the full realization of the sound he has been cultivating.

“It tiptoes the tightrope between gritty gutbucket blues and contemporary grooves to create a soundscape that honors the roots but allows listeners to experience the music from a modern vantage point. Sharing songs with this much honesty allows us all to connect to music on a higher level … to feel a little less isolated and a little more ‘seen’ in what can be a hard life at times.”

Live, Birchwood is a true force of nature. A favorite among blues fans and jam band fans alike, his ability to win over an audience is proven night after night. With his warm, magnetic personality, Birchwood is as down-to-earth as his music is electrifyingly jaw-dropping. With his band feeding off his energy, the 6’3” musician roams the stage barefoot, ripping out memorable guitar licks with ease, his soulful, rocks-and-gravel vocals impossible to ignore.

Author
Author
LEE CLARK ZUMPE, Tampa Bay Beacons
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