Biggest concerts, comedians coming to Sarasota-Bradenton, Tampa Bay now through March 31
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From rappers and rockers to country singers and pop crooners, we have a bunch of major musicians, as well as comedians with Netflix specials, playing our favorite venues in Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Tampa during the next several months.
The fun starts this month when Jay Leno returns to the Van Wezel, followed by a gala show at the same purple palace in downtown Sarasota by Harry Connick, Jr.
In February, Miami rap king Rick Ross headlines a show at Amalie Arena in Tampa, with the same venue hosting a performance by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Eagles later the same month, and country superstar Eric Church there in March.
March also will find a waterfront reggae festival taking place in downtown St. Petersburg, with pop-punk titans Green Day headlining a huge, baseball-themed bash that same month at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
In total, we have selected more than 30 of the biggest shows taking place in Sarasota and across Tampa Bay now through March 31. They're presented in chronological order.
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Jay Leno
Jan. 15, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota, vanwezel.org; Feb. 3, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Most famous for hosting “The Tonight Show” from 1992 to 2009, then 2010 to 2014, Leno has been doing stand-up since the 1970s and is among the most influential comedians of his generation.
Michael Bolton
Jan. 25, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
The singer is known for his No. 1, Grammy-winning renditions of "When a Man Loves a Woman" and "How am I Supposed to Live Without You," and also showed his sense of humor on Netflix's "Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special."
Harry Connick Jr.
Jan. 27, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota
The singer, who is also known for his acting on stage and on screen including the Pinellas County-shot "Dolphin Tale" films, serves as the headliner for this year's Van Wezel Foundation Inspiration Gala.
Dwight Yoakam
Jan. 27, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
One of country music's great singer-songwriters and an actor whose roles include "Sling Blade" and the recent Clint Eastwood film "Cry Macho," Yoakam is known for delivering a high-energy show filled with self-penned hits ("You're the One," "Fast as You," "Guitars, Cadillacs" ) and choice covers by the likes of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and even The Carter Family.
Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias
Jan. 28, Yuengling Center, Tampa
Rising to fame in the 2000s, the comic has released multiple specials and the sitcom "Mr. Iglesias" on Netflix, and co-starred in the Tampa Bay-set and shot male stripper movie "Magic Mike."
Theo Von
Feb. 3, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg
A former MTV reality TV star and a popular podcaster, Von has positioned himself as a rising stand-up comedy star with his recent Netflix special "Regular People."
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Josh Groban
Feb. 5, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg
The Grammy-nominated (and Tony-nominated, for his role in "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812") singer will perform with The Florida Orchestra at its gala concert.
Gladys Knight
Feb. 6, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, rutheckerdhall.com; Feb. 15, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota
The singer has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy Hall of Fame for her renditions of "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" with the Pips, and recently appeared in the documentary "Summer of Soul."
Alice Cooper
Feb. 7, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
The king of shock rock, Alice Cooper is also an underrated singer-songwriter who co-wrote such classics as "School's Out," "I'm Eighteen," "No More Mr. Nice Guy" and "Billion Dollar Babies" – which will all likely be performed in Clearwater, along with material spanning most of his career.
Tool
Feb. 9, Amalie Arena, Tampa
The rock group continues to tour following the release of their No. 1 album "Fear Inoculum," their first full-length in 13 years, with the track "7empest" earning them their third Grammy.
Los Lobos and Taj Mahal
Feb. 10, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
Roots music enthusiasts will want to catch this double bill featuring genre-hopping rock band Los Lobos, which recently issued their 18th album "Native Sons," and blues legend Taj Mahal.
Legendz of the Streetz
Feb. 11, Amalie Arena, Tampa
Miami's Rick Ross, who just released the new album "Richer Than I Ever Been" and appeared on Drake's "Certified Lover Boy," performs with fellow rappers Jeezy, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Trina and Fabolous.
Audra McDonald
Feb. 11, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota
The singer and actress has six Tonys – more acting wins than any other performer – and has appeared in shows such as "The Good Fight" and films including the Aretha Franklin biopic "Respect."
Deon Cole
Feb. 11, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center, Tampa
The comic and former Conan O'Brien writer released the 2019 Netflix special "Cole Hearted," and has acted on shows such as "Black-ish" and films including "The Harder They Fall."
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Jim Jefferies
Feb. 12, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa
Australian-American Jim Jefferies' career skyrocketed about seven years ago thanks, in large part, to his 15-minute bit "Gun Control," which earned praise in publications such as The New Yorker. Be warned, though, Jefferies has also been known to be an equal opportunity offender, with routines that will make people across the political spectrum squirm on his edgy 2020 Netflix special "Intolerant."
Van Morrison
Feb. 14-15, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
One of rock's most revered vocalists and songwriters, responsible for such classics as "Brown Eyed Girl," "Gloria" and "Moondance," Van the Man returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall for two consecutive shows starting Valentine's Day. Morrison also recently provided the music for Kenneth Branagh's Oscars contender "Belfast," including the original song "Down to Joy."
Joe Bonamassa
Feb. 18-19, Ruth Eckerd Hall
One of the biggest names in contemporary blues, guitarist and singer-songwriter continues to tour following the release of his latest album "Time Clocks," the follow-up to his Grammy-nominated "Royal Tea."
George Thorogood and the Destroyers
Feb. 19, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center, Tampa
Singer, songwriter and ace slide guitarist Thorogood became a superstar in the 1980s with self-penned blues rock anthems such as “Bad to the Bone,” “I Drink Alone” and “Born to be Bad” as well as winning covers of chestnuts including “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “The Sky is Crying” and “Reelin’ and Rockin.’”
Tig Notaro
Feb. 20, Tampa Theatre, Tampa
Known for stand-up specials such as the Grammy-nominated "Live," the comic has also appeared in shows such as her own "One Mississippi" and "Star Trek: Discovery," and films like "Army of the Dead."
Gasparilla Music Festival
Feb. 25-27, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa
The annual festival returns, with this year's initial lineup including Grammy-nominated rockers Black Pumas, "Wish I Knew You" group The Revivalists and New Orleans favorite Trombone Shorty.
Bret Michaels
Feb. 26, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Famed Poison frontman and veteran reality TV star Michaels returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall for his first Florida show in two years, joined by special guests Warrant and "Dancing With The Stars" alum Noah Galloway.
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Eagles
Feb. 28, Amalie Arena, Tampa
The Eagles' upcoming Tampa date is set to find the band performing their album "Hotel California" from beginning to end while joined by an orchestra and choir, followed by a set of greatest hits.
Florida Strawberry Festival
March 3-13, Festival Grounds, Plant City
Sam Hunt will headline the Florida Strawberry Festival that also includes performances by fellow country stars Lady A, Jake Owen and Cole Swindell, with numerous other genres represented by acts such as Nelly, The Beach Boys, Sammy Hagar and Boyz II Men.
Eric Church
March 5, Amalie Arena, Tampa
Country music superstar Church – who performed the national anthem with R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan at the Super Bowl in 2021 at Raymond James Stadium – returns to Tampa for a date at Amalie Arena on his Gather Again Tour, which will find the singer adopting an in-the-round setup for the first time in his career.
Mike Epps
March 5, Yuengling Center, Tampa
The comedian known for his roles in movies including the "Friday" and "The Hangover" films and shows such as "The Upshaws" performs along with Sommore, Gary Owen and Earthquake.
Lucinda Williams
March 5, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
One of the greatest singer-songwriters of her generation, Americana queen Williams returns to Clearwater with her band to perform songs from a career that includes such standout releases as her self-titled breakthrough, "Sweet Old World" and "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road," which was ranked No. 98 on Rolling Stone's revised list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time published in 2020.
Steven Wright
March 6, Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg
Known for his deadpan, one-liner-driven delivery, Steven Wright was named the 15th best comic of all time by Rolling Stone, has won an Oscar and been nominated for multiple Emmys and Grammys.
Howie Mandel
March 10, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center, Tampa
The stand-up comedian who rose to fame in the '80s is also known for his appearances on television and film, including as a longtime judge on "America's Got Talent" in recent years.
Jo Koy
March 12, Yuengling Center, Tampa
The Filipino-American stand-up comic heads on tour shortly before the scheduled April 1 release of the new comedy film "Easter Sunday," which he stars in.
Colin Quinn
March 12, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa
The former star of "Weekend Update" on "Saturday Night Live," Quinn has stayed busy in recent years with Netflix specials and off-Broadway shows "Red State Blue State," "The New York Story" and "Unconstitutional" and now his latest, “The Last Best Hope.”
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Lyle Lovett
March 12-13, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
The singular singer-songwriter (and memorable character actor) who became a country star in the 1980s before delving into everything from folk to traditional pop to big-band swing returns to the Capitol Theatre for two nights of performances with his acoustic group.
Robert Klein
March 17, Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg
Also called one of the best comics of all time by Rolling Stone, Robert Klein starred in HBO's first-ever stand-up special in 1975 and influenced comedy stars such as Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno.
Reggae Rise Up
March 18-20, Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg
The annual reggae festival returns to St. Pete's Vinoy Park with headliners Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid and Iration, among other notable names including Shaggy and Atmosphere.
Tyler, the Creator
March 19, Yuengling Center, Tampa
The rapper tours following the release of his latest No. 1, Grammy-nominated album "Call Me If You Get Lost," joined by Grammy-winning singer Kali Uchis and fellow acclaimed rapper Vince Staples.
Innings Festival
March 19-20, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
The music festival blends rock and baseball, featuring bands such as pop-punk superstars Green Day and "Ho Hey" folk-rockers The Lumineers headlining, as well as appearances by MLB legends.
Slash
March 25, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
This date will mark the Ruth Eckerd Hall debut for guitar hero Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, on the road following the release of "Fill My World," the second single from their upcoming album "4."
Kesha
March 29, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center, Tampa
The pop star rose to fame with the No. 1 hits "Tik Tok" and "We R Who We R" and most recently released the 2020 album "High Road," featuring guests including Brian Wilson, Sturgill Simpson and Big Freedia.
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Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Email dining and entertainment editor Wade Tatangelo at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top concerts, shows and performances coming to Sarasota, Tampa Bay
