A look at shows happening this Sat.-Sun., Dec. 27-28. Thomas Wynn and the Believers with Boxcar Hollow, Hannah Harber Crafting a high-spirited, heartening blend of dark Southern rock, gritty howling soul and grinding psychedelia-soaked blues is Orlando-brewed, siblings-led sextet Thomas Wynn and the Believers, the namesake leader’s robust tenor weaving and soaring in howling harmony with his sister Olivia’s throaty gospel-tinged calls. Fiddle-busting Americana rockers Boxcar Hollow and alt country songstress Hannah Harber kick things off. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa)
Oliver Heldens Good ‘ol house music made quite a comeback this year, and 19-year-old producer Oliver Heldens (they just get younger and younger) helped lead the charge. Seemingly every big DJ played sets that tapped his hit track “Gecko,” and his latest banger “Last All Night (Koala)” debuted at No. 5 on the British Singles chart. With catchy, groovy synths and rhythmic kicks at his disposal, Heldens convinces his crowds to put the “dance” back in electronic dance music. (Amphitheatre, Ybor City) –Cody Smith
Damon Fowler Group Get your last Damon Fowler fix of 2014 when the Tampa native slide guitar, dobro and lap steel whiz finishes a busy year touring behind his third and latest album – the Tab Benoit-produced Sounds of Home – with a free show of swampy soulful blues and roots rock under the stars of the Witch courtyard. (Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg)
Saigon Kick with Pitbull Toddler, Save the Radio Miami-spawned metal outfit Saigon Kick achieved brief national fame with acoustic guitar-driven ballad, “Love Is on the Way,” which propelled sophomore album The Lizard to gold-selling status and likely fueled the band’s momentum through the not-so-well-received albums that followed. Saigon Kick broke up after releasing 1999’s Bastards, but re-banded in 2012 and this date marks the second with the original lineup in 22 years; the first was Las Vegas in early December. (State Theater, St. Petersburg)
Pretty Voices, Car Bomb Driver, Dead Fender Twin A three-pack bill of raucous, beer-guzzling rock n’ roll perfect for segueing your holiday hangover right into drunken balls-out rampage: jangly boisterous psych-garage-power pop foursome Pretty Voices, cheeky-explosive punk n’ rollers Car Bomb Driver, and three-guitar-driven alt rock quintet Dead Fender Twin, their sound both brightened and grounded by the feminine vocals and basslines of Melissa LeBaron. (Market On 7th, Ybor City)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28
Hymn for Her with Chinese Mary Jane, The Rebekah and Rob Duo The familiar vintage Silver Airstream trailer comes barreling into town and unloads husband-and-wife duo Hymn for Her, their backwoods punk-stomping country blues built on Lucy Tight’s cigar box guitar chops (she can play a mean slide) and Wayne Waxings juggling of drums, guitar, banjo and harmonica; their most recent album, Lucy and Wayne’s Smokin Flames, dropped last year. Folk roots artist Rebekah Pulley and longtime collaborator/partner Rob Pastore warm the stage as a duo, then are joined by Ronny Elliott to play a set as Chinese Mary Jane before Hymn for Her closes the evening. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa)
Ol’ Dirty Sundays with SlopDunkDust & DJ Blenda Joining resident DJs Casper and LeSage for the last ODS party of the year are two decks maestros who spin with hip hop ensemble Gwan Massive – regularly appearing groove-builder Blenda and Phoenix-by-way-of-Tampa Bay producer/Beat Fanatic crew leader SlopFunkDust. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
More concerts for this week HERE.