Top 6 concert picks for shows this week in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice and Punta Gorda
It's another big week for the blues in Sarasota-Manatee as blues-rocker Matthew Curry, who's opened for acts like Peter Frampton and The Doobie Brothers, performs locally along with boogie-woogie pianist Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, one-man-band Ben Prestage and... Matt Damon. (We'll explain that one.)
There are also notable shows by musicians outside the genre this weekend such as Tampa Bay grunge-rockers Hovercar, who Sarasota residents might remember from their set at this year's Pride | Be Fabulous Arts & Music Festival, performing at the recently reopened Oscura. Troll Music in Venice will also host two Nashville musicians for a concert. Here are this week's highlights.
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Matthew Curry
After playing multiple local venues in May, blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Matthew Curry will return to Sarasota's Big Top Brewing Company this weekend. Curry's fans include Peter Frampton, The Doobie Brothers and Steve Miller Band, all of whom he's opened for, and Fender Guitars, which tapped him for its Fender Accelerator Tour. Curry also appeared onscreen in the 2015 David Spade comedy "Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser," portraying the late Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman and Jacksonville native Ronnie Van Zant. He'll be joined by drummer Francis Valentino, who's toured with other artists including David Lee Roth. 7 p.m. Saturday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com
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Hovercar
After playing Sarasota's Pride | Be Fabulous Arts & Music Festival earlier this year, Tampa Bay's Hovercar returns to the other side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to headline this show at Oscura in Bradenton (which also hosts Discord Theory, Hollyglen, HeavyHeavy and Cherish This the previous night.) Hovercar is heavily influenced by early '90s grunge, a sound evident on their self-titled debut album released last year. Also performing at this show will be My Cat Umi, Deaf Company and Sports Mode. 7 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show Saturday; Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton; $10 advance, $12 day of; 941-201-4950; facebook.com/oscuralive
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John Salaway and Phantom Lady
Venice's Troll Music will host a pair of Nashville-based musicians, including one with local ties. John Salaway grew up in Sarasota County (and bought his first electric guitar at Troll) before moving to the Music City, where he's worked professionally for years, including releasing last year's album "Salvation" featuring special guests such as Foo Fighters keyboardist Rami Jaffee and former Cage the Elephant member Lincoln Parish. He'll be joined at this show by pianist and singer Phantom Lady, whose upcoming album "In Bloom" was produced by Salaway, recently releasing the singles "Tattoo on My Heart" and "Hold On" as well as a cover of Depeche Mode's classic "Enjoy the Silence." 8 p.m. Saturday; Troll Music, 628 E. Venice Ave.; $20; 941-484-8765; trollmusic.com
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Matt Damon (Matt Walker and Damon Fowler)
No, you're not actually going to see Matt Damon at this Sunday show at Big Top. (Well, maybe if he's not on a film set, and likes craft beer and the blues.) This particular Matt Damon comprises bassist Matt Walker and guitarist/singer-songwriter Damon Fowler. Last year Fowler released his latest full-length "Alafia Moon," which topped Billboard's blues album chart and earned a Blues Music Award nomination for Blues Rock Album. Fowler and Walker have also played together in the supergroup Southern Hospitality with Grammy-nominated pianist Victor Wainwright and fellow Floridian J.P. Soars, and formerly in the late founding Allman Brothers Band member Butch Trucks' Freight Train Band. 3 p.m. Sunday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com
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Rev. Billy C. Wirtz
Bradenton restaurant Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, which also regularly hosts concerts by blues and roots musicians on its back porch, will welcome back one of Florida's most popular acts in the two genres. The Rev. Billy C. Wirtz has a dedicated following as a musician, blending irreverent lyrics with serious boogie-woogie piano chops. He's also known for hosting the weekly radio show The Rhythm Revival on WMNF. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; 941-243-3735; facebook.com/cottonmouthsoul
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Ben Prestage
Punta Gorda Irish pub and venue Celtic Ray this week will welcome back self-described "Deep South swamp music" artist Ben Prestage. The multi-instrumentalist grew up in rural Florida before later living in Memphis, where he learned how to play drums simultaneously while singing and performing other instruments as a street performer, a one-man-band setup he’d bring back to the Sunshine State. Can't make this particular show? Prestage is also set to play Cottonmouth in Bradenton at 7 p.m. the following night. 8 p.m. Thursday; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; celticray.net
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice top 6 concerts this weekend
