Biggest concerts, comedians coming to Tampa Bay in July, August, September
Though it may already feel like summer with Florida's weather, the first official day of the season is Thursday, June 20. That means that the summer blockbuster tour season, which has already started, will soon go into full force through September, when summer officially comes to a close.
Here in the greater Tampa Bay area, two country music stars will headline Raymond James Stadium, while MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre is back open for the summer concert tour season. That does mean this concert and comedy show roundup features more music than jokes, but there are still some big-name comedians visiting us, including a Tampa Bay native filming his new Netflix stand-up special here. That comedian is also one of several current or former Floridians set to perform here over the next three months.
To help keep track of it all, here are the top concerts and comedy shows set to visit Tampa Bay in July, August and September, presented in chronological order. Event details are subject to change.
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Bert Kreischer
July 3, 5-7; The Mahaffey, St. Petersburg; themahaffey.com
The St. Petersburg-born, Tampa-raised comedian will return to his hometown for a series of shows where he'll tape his latest Netflix stand-up special. Along with releasing multiple other specials, including last year's "Razzle Dazzle," Kreischer also starred in the movie "The Machine," playing a fictionalized version of himself in an action comedy based on a stand-up routine of his detailing a college trip to Russia.
Gucci Mane
July 6; Yuengling Center, Tampa; yuenglingcenter.com
The Atlanta rapper who also appeared in the 2013 surrealistic crime film "Spring Breakers," shot in St. Petersburg and Sarasota, headlines this 4th of July Weekend Bash with a lineup that features multiple Florida rappers, including Plies, Yung Miami and Ball Greezy.
KC and the Sunshine Band
July 7; Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center; casino.hardrock.com/tampa
The disco group hailing from Hialeah that is one of the most successful musical acts to ever come from Florida — thanks to their No. 1 hits "Get Down Tonight," "That's the Way (I Like It)," "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty," "I'm Your Boogie Man" and "Please Don't Go" — continue to celebrate their 50th anniversary they reached last year.
The Doobie Brothers
July 11; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa; midflorida.com/about-us/amphitheatre
The rock band known for hits such as "Listen to the Music," "Jesus is Just Alright" and "Black Water" continue to tour with Michael McDonald, a member who sang lead vocals on their recently Grammy Hall of Fame-inducted 1978 No. 1 hit "What a Fool Believes" before pursuing a successful solo career. McDonald rejoined the group in 2019.
Morgan Wallen
July 11-12; Raymond James Stadium, Tampa; raymondjamesstadium.com
Despite controversies including a video of him saying a racial slur and an April arrest after allegedly throwing a chair off a rooftop, country musician Morgan Wallen remains hugely popular — releasing the No. 1 album "One Thing at a Time" last year, with all 36 tracks landing on the Billboard Hot 100. Further proof of his popularity is him headlining Raymond James Stadium for two nights with support including Jelly Roll, a country star in his own right.
Janet Jackson
July 16; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
The pop singer visits Tampa on her Together Again tour, named for one of her several No. 1 hits, which also include "Love Will Never Do (Without You)," "That's the Way Love Goes" and "All for You." Rapper Nelly of "Hot in Herre" and "Country Grammar" opens the show.
New Kids on the Block
July 19; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
The boy band that rose to fame in the late '80s and early '90s, then reunited in the late '00s, headline a night of nostalgia that also includes "Opposites Attract" pop singer and original "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul, and DJ Jazzy Jeff, half of a hip-hop duo with the Fresh Prince (aka Will Smith.)
Styx and Foreigner
July 20; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Styx ("Babe," "Show Me the Way," "Mr. Roboto") and recently announced Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Foreigner ("I Want to Know What Love Is," "Waiting for a Girl Like You," "Double Vision") team up for the Renegades and Juke Box Heroes Tour, named after two other hits of theirs. "Missing You" singer John Waite also performs.
Missy Elliott
July 24; Amalie Arena, Tampa; amaliearena.com
The recently Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted rapper will perform with other stars of '90s/'00s hip-hop and R&B including fellow rapper Busta Rhymes, singer Ciara and producer extraordinaire Timbaland. Ciara appeared on Missy Elliott's 2005 hit "Lose Control," and Timbaland has produced her albums dating back to her 1997 debut "Supa Dupa Fly."
Third Eye Blind
July 25; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
The alternative rock band that rose to fame with its six-times-platinum, self-titled 1997 debut album and its Top 10 singles "Semi-Charmed Life," "Jumper" and "How's It Going to Be" perform with "Ocean Avenue" pop-punks Yellowcard from Jacksonville and pop group A R I Z O N A (who, despite their name, are from New Jersey.)
Sad Summer Fest
July 27; The BayCare Sound, Clearwater; rutheckerdhall.com/baycare-sound
Those still lamenting the loss of Vans Warped Tour should feel right at home at this daylong festival presented by Journeys and Converse, featuring a lineup of pop-punk and emo bands headlined by Tallahassee's Mayday Parade, with the Bradenton-formed We the Kings also performing along with The Maine, The Wonder Years, Real Friends, Knuckle Puck, Hot Milk, Daisy Grenade and Diva Bleach.
Jonas Brothers
July 31; Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center
One of the biggest pop acts of the late 2000s and early 2010s before splitting up and pursuing solo ventures, the Jonas Brothers — comprising real-life brothers Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas — reunited in 2019 with the No. 1 single "Sucker" and album "Happiness Begins." They released its follow-up "The Album" last year.
Russell Peters
Aug. 1; Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center
Even without a major sitcom or movie role to his name, Canadian comic Russell Peters ranks among the world's most successful comedians, particularly when it comes to international touring — leading CNN in 2013 to call him "the famous comedian most Americans don’t know."
Limp Bizkit
Aug. 7; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
The Jacksonville-formed nu metal hitmakers of the late '90s and early '00s, whose frontman Fred Durst recently appeared in the movie "I Saw the TV Glow," headline an eclectic lineup that also includes rappers BONES and Riff Raff, synth-punk artist N8NOFACE, and Corey Feldman (yes, the actor.)
Slash S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival
Aug. 10; The BayCare Sound
The Guns N' Roses guitarist who earlier this year released his latest solo album "Orgy of the Damned," performing blues songs with guest musicians including AC/DC singer and Sarasota resident Brian Johnson, will continue to celebrate the genre with this traveling festival. The musicians joining Slash on the Clearwater date will include Larkin Poe, ZZ Ward and Robert Randolph.
Zach Bryan
Aug. 14; Raymond James Stadium
The country musician landed both a No. 1 album and song last year with his self-titled full-length and its Kacey Musgraves duet "I Remember Everything," which also won a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Be sure to get there early to see openers Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, a headliner-worthy act in their own right, and Levi Turner.
Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire
Aug. 16; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Two of the biggest hitmakers of the '70s and '80s team up, as Chicago ("If You Leave Me Now," "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," "You're the Inspiration") and Earth, Wind & Fire ("Shining Star," "September," "Let's Groove") co-headline the Heart & Soul Tour.
Rob Schneider
Aug. 16-17; McCurdy's Comedy Theatre, Sarasota; mccurdyscomedy.com
The comedian from "Saturday Night Live," the movies of "SNL" castmate Adam Sandler and his own film vehicles such as "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo" plays two nights at Sarasota comedy club McCurdy's. In recent years, Schneider has gotten more involved in punditry, including his upcoming book "You Can Do It! Speak Your Mind, America" about "the threats to free speech in America," named after his catchphrase in multiple Sandler movies.
Maren Morris
Aug. 17; The Mahaffey
Along with No. 1 country airplay hits such as "I Could Use a Love Song," "Girl" and "The Bones" (either solo or joined by Hozier), and serving as a member of country supergroup The Highwomen alongside Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris also sang on the inescapable Zedd and Grey EDM-pop hit "The Middle."
Train and REO Speedwagon
Aug. 20; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Three bands named after forms of transportation team up for the Summer Road Trip 2024 tour, with Train ("Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)," "Hey, Soul Sister") and REO Speedwagon ("Keep on Loving You," "Can't Fight This Feeling") co-headlining and Yacht Rock Revue opening.
Dan + Shay
Aug. 23; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
The country music duo that won three consecutive Best Country Duo/Group Performance Grammys for their songs "Tequila," "Speechless" and "10,000 Hours" with Justin Bieber (and just recently won their latest Duo of the Year Academy of Country Music Award) perform with Winter Haven-born, Vero Beach-raised fellow country musician Jake Owen.
Thirty Seconds to Mars
Aug. 24; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Though he probably remains best known for his acting career, Jared Leto has played in this rock band with his brother Shannon Leto from the late '90s to now, with their latest album "It's the End of the World but It's a Beautiful Day" coming out last year. Opening are goth rock group AFI and genre-benders Poppy and KennyHoopla.
John Legend
Aug. 25; Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center
One of the few artists to receive the EGOT designation for having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony, the pianist and singer-songwriter will perform "An Evening with John Legend: A Night of Songs and Stories," featuring "intimate reimaginings of Legend's greatest hits" and "unexpected stories from his life and career."
Stone Temple Pilots and Live
Aug. 28; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
This concert should appeal to fans of '90s alt-rock, provided they're not too concerned about original lineups: "The X Factor" contestant Jeff Gutt has fronted Stone Temple Pilots since 2017, though the rest of the lineup is founding members, while Live only features founding frontman Ed Kowalczyk, due to behind-the-scenes drama deep enough to result in a longform Rolling Stone piece. Soul Asylum, still featuring original frontman Dave Pirner, also performs.
Jane's Addiction
Aug. 29; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
It should be easier to keep track of the band members at this show, as it features the "Been Caught Stealing" and "Jane Says" group's classic lineup of Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins and Eric Avery for the first time since 2010. Fellow '80s/'90s alt-rockers Love and Rockets ("So Alive"), featuring their full classic lineup as well, also perform.
Imagine Dragons
Sept. 1; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
After appearing along with country singer Chris Stapleton and R&B singer H.E.R. at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre last year for the Veteran's Day concert Heroes & Headliners, rockers Imagine Dragons return to the venue. The group is among the most successful rock acts in recent years, with multiple diamond-selling (ten times platinum or more) singles including "Radioactive," "Demons," "Believer" and "Thunder."
Incubus
Sept. 3; Amalie Arena
The rock band will play their 2001 album "Morning View," featuring the singles "Wish You Were Here" and "Nice to Meet You," in its entirety along with "the hits," which will likely include their Top 10 track "Drive." Progressive rock group Coheed and Cambria also performs.
Childish Gambino
Sept. 4; Amalie Arena
Donald Glover — an actor known for his roles on TV shows such as "Atlanta" and "Community," and movies such as "Solo: A Star Wars Story" and "The Lion King" — recently announced he'll release his final album under his hip-hop moniker Childish Gambino after a run that includes five Grammys and the No. 1 hit "This is America," and he's touring as well. He'll be joined by Willow, singer and daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Korn
Sept. 12; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
The nu metal band that rose to fame in the '90s with multi-platinum, No. 1 albums such as "Follow the Leader" and "Issues" and songs such as "Freak on a Leash" are still going strong, with new music supposedly on the way later this year. They perform with fellow metal bands Gojira and Spiritbox.
Luke Bryan
Sept. 14; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Following the recent season 22 finale of "American Idol," which he's served as a judge on since 2018, country music star Luke Bryan heads out on his Mind of a Country Boy Tour, currently set to conclude in Tampa. Fellow country musicians George Birge, Dillon Carmichael and Larry Fleet will also perform, along with DJ Rock.
Buddy Guy
Sept. 14; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater; rutheckerdhall.com
Largely considered the greatest living blues musician, the 87-year-old guitarist and singer visits Clearwater on his Damn Right Farewell Tour. He'll be joined by another living blues legend, the 90-year-old Bobby Rush, along with Guy's longtime collaborator and producer Tom Hambridge.
Maxwell
Sept. 15; Amalie Arena
Maxwell, one of the main musicians of the neo-soul movement starting with his 1996 debut "Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite," would be well worth seeing alone. But even better, he'll be joined by Jazmine Sullivan, whose latest release "Heaux Tales" won a Best R&B Album Grammy and was named album of the year by outlets including Pitchfork.
Herbie Hancock
Sept. 15; The Mahaffey
Herbie Hancock ranks among jazz's most influential figures, both for his time with the Miles Davis Quintet and as a solo performer. He's also won 14 Grammys, including Album of the Year for his 2007 Joni Mitchell tribute "River: The Joni Letters," and is at work on a new album set to feature musicians such as rappers Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and Common, saxophonist Kamasi Washington and bassist Thundercat.
Creed
Sept. 20; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
The Tallahassee-formed rock band that landed a No. 1 album and single with 1999's diamond-selling "Human Clay" and its Grammy-winning single "With Arms Wide Open" announced their reunion last year, and they'll be joined on tour by another big name in late '90s/early '00s rock: 3 Doors Down, best known for their hit "Kryptonite."
Hootie & the Blowfish
Sept. 26; MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Even as Darius Rucker has continued a very successful solo career in country music, he still performs with the group that made him famous: Hootie & the Blowfish, whose 1994 album "Cracked Rear View" is one of the best-selling records of all time thanks to songs such as "Only Wanna Be with You," "Let Her Cry" and "Hold My Hand." They'll be joined by two other big names in '90s radio rock: Collective Soul ("Shine") and Edwin McCain ("I'll Be.")
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Biggest Tampa Bay concerts, comedy shows in July, August, September