Top 6 concert picks for shows this week in Sarasota and Bradenton

One of Sarasota-Manatee's busiest venues in the past few years, brewery Big Top Brewing Company, will have an even more eventful than usual weekend of live music. Country singer Trey Lewis, fresh off of tour with Kid Rock, plays there Friday, followed by standout Bradenton Americana band Have Gun, Will Travel on Saturday and Blues Music Awards-nominated guitarist and singer-songwriter Damon Fowler on Sunday.

It's not the only venue holding notable concerts this week, however, with Bradenton restaurant Birdrock Taco Shack hosting another recent Blues Music Award nominee and the return of a Sarasota singer-songwriter listening room series. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.

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Trey Lewis

Big Top Brewing Company has become a somewhat unlikely venue for concerts by national names in country music, having hosted acts such as LoCash and Tyler Rich (who's set to return there Dec. 1), which continues when it hosts Trey Lewis this weekend. Lewis' breakthrough single was 2020's "D---ed Down in Dallas," which profanely bemoans a lover's promiscuity and reached No. 12 on Billboard's country songs chart. Since then, he's released other singles such as "Single Again" and the 2021 EP "Shut the Door," and just performed with Kid Rock on his Bad Reputation Tour. 6 p.m. Friday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; $15; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com

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Tim Easton

Listening Room of Sarasota, which has hosted several concerts featuring nationally touring musicians in an intimate setting, returns with Tim Easton. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter's most recent album was 2021's "You Don't Really Know Me," but Easton has released numerous full-lengths, featuring contributions by musicians such as Lucinda Williams, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Mike Campbell, and multiple members of Wilco. Those interested in attending the show, or future shows showcasing musicians in a similar singer-songwriter style, are asked to email lrsrq@yahoo.com and request a reservation and being added to their email list. 6:30 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show Saturday; Music Compound, 1751 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; $20 suggested donation

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Have Gun, Will Travel

Also playing Big Top this weekend is Have Gun, Will Travel, shortly before the release of the Americana group's latest EP "Silver Sounds" on Sept. 30. Hailing from Bradenton, the band is one of Sarasota-Manatee's most successful musical acts, earning coverage from outlets including NPR and No Depression and having their music appear on shows such as "The Good Wife" and "The Ranch." "Silver Sounds" features previously released singles "Buyer's Remorse" and "Melancholy Moon (Everything Dies)," as well as "Our Fair City," paying tribute to Bradenton with references to landmarks like the Riverwalk and Village of the Arts. 7 p.m. Saturday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com

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Damon Fowler

Closing Big Top's weekend of live music will be guitarist, singer-songwriter and former Anna Maria Island resident Damon Fowler. Last year, Fowler released his latest full-length "Alafia Moon," which topped Billboard's blues albums chart and earned a Blues Music Award nomination earlier this year for Blues Rock Album. Along with his solo career, Fowler has also played in the supergroup Southern Hospitality with Grammy-nominated pianist Victor Wainwright and fellow Floridian J.P. Soars, and in the groups of Allman Brothers Band founding members Dickey Betts and the late Butch Trucks. 3 p.m. Sunday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com

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Popa Chubby

Another recent Blues Music Award nominee comes to town when Popa Chubby visits Village of the Arts restaurant Birdrock Taco Shack. The guitarist and singer-songwriter's 2021 full-length "Tinfoil Hat" earned a nomination for Blues Rock Album; two genres he has credentials in, having released multiple albums on esteemed blues label Blind Pig Records and performed with legendary punk rocker Richard Hell. He shows no signs of slowing down either, having already released another new album, "Emotional Gangster," this year. If you can't make this show, Popa Chubby is also set to play Port Charlotte on Sept. 30. 7 p.m. Wednesday; Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton; $25 advance, $35 day of; 941-545-9966; facebook.com/birdrocktaco

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Kalos

Sarasota venue Fogartyville's eclectic lineup of live music continues with Celtic roots group Kalos. The lineup comprises fiddler Ryan McKasson, a past winner of the US National Scottish Fiddle Championship; guitarist and vocalist Eric McDonald; and accordionist Jeremiah McLane. Along with their work together, all three members have performed with other groups and/or released albums as solo artists. 6:15 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show Thursday, Sept. 29; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $20, $18 members, $10 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org

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Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota, Bradenton concerts near me this week