It's Saturday — the first of August. Go see some live music. Here are some options, with an extra dose of twang.Toby Keith with Colt Ford He’s Ford truck-cheeky, bluntly patriotic, never leaves home without his Stetson, has 20 No. 1 country charters to his credit (one of those “Beer for My Horses” with Willie Nelson), is on the road behind 18th studio album 35 MPH Town– yep, it’s Toby Keith. This date is part of his “Good Times and Pick Up Lines Tour.” (MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa)
Big Shoals with Will Quinlan, The Dram The polar opposite of the show that’s happening at the amphitheater, this twangy lineup is led by Gainesville roots rock outfit Big Shoals, which waxes on earnest subject matter ranging from the relentless pull of alcohol (“12 Steps”), to a beauty queen who’s fallen far from grace (“Jezebel”), to the typical heartache and heartbreak fare (“Girl Behind the Bar,”“Maybe Next Time”). Singer-songwriter Will Quinlan adds moody brooding folk to the night’s sounds while The Dram rounds it out with punk-kicking Americana. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)
Boxcar Hollow with Ronny Elliott Rounding out a Saturday brimming with rootsy sounds is a few Best of the Bay-winning acts. Vet folk alternative singer-songwriter Ronny Elliott kicks off the sounds on the Witch patio, which culminates in a few sets by Boxcar Hollow, their grassy- electric fiddle-fused material encompassing originals as well as covers by artists ranging from Bon Iver to Phish to Charlie Daniels Band. (Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg)
Sofia Talvik with Evan Koteles, Rene Giaccone The sixth full-length from Swedish acoustic folk-pop singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik, Big Sky Country, was inspired by an extensive (year-and-half tour) around the U.S. that found her playing 37 states; the title track carries traces of her exotic Nordic influence, with her dulcet intones rising elegantly over plucked banjo melodies, strummed acoustic guitar, mournful strains of fiddle and steady ambling rhythms. (The Hideaway Café, St. Petersburg)
Bogus Pomp The second of a two-night stand by Tampa Bay’s premiere Frank Zappa tribute act as piloted by guitar shredding phenom Jerry Outlaw. The 10-member-strong trombone-and-sax-stacked “electric” lineup (minus the chamber ensemble that joined them for the last Palladium showing) features a few new faces (actor/comedian Ward Smith on “vocals and buffoonery” along with Caleb Hall on “vocals and wacky hijinks”), and promises different setlists each night. Bogus Pomp plays Palladium Theater’s intimate Side Door, which means a sell-out is imminent if it hasn't already happened by the time of this writing. (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)
Perpetual Groove Few fans were surprised when Athens-area jamtronic quartet Perpetual Groove announced they’d be taking a hiatus in 2013. Frontman/songwriter/guitarist Brock Butler had been struggling with substance abuse problems serious enough to affect both his career and home life, and finally decided to take a break from everything to fully focus on getting healthy and happy again. Though bandmates Albert Suttle, Matt McDonald and Adam Perry went on to form a new project, Ghost Owl, the absence of P-Groove was felt keenly, and when the four musicians finally made their way back to the stage, together, tickets to the first few #NotAReunion shows in Athens were gone within minutes. This is the second of a two-night stand. If you missed your dose of pulsing, sci-fi space odyssey electro and funky trippy rock n’ roll last night, do it tonight. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
ALSO TONIGHT
From House 2 Techno: Holyman/Brian Busto/Silver Fox Hyde Park Café, Tampa
Sons of Nuns Ringside Café, St. Petersburg
Infynite TraxX Album Release Party Crowbar, Ybor City
Applebutter Express w/Kristopher James Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa
Future Vintage w/Spore Fubar, St. Petersburg
The Brand New Opiates The Hub, downtown Tampa