Setting aside the major festivals that for most of us are a major yawn (sorry, Okeechobee Fest, and sorry, Orlando, for Moonstone's meh lineup), Florida's got a sunny concert schedule on the horizon for choosy music fans. Here are the 10 concerts spanning Orlando's best venues that we are maximum stoked for (in date order), plus a little info on why we think you should snag a ticket too. (If you want to know about more fun stuff up ahead, remember you can always keep an eye on future shows with our regular feature Down the Road; see page 33). What stage even needs a spotlight when there are this many glaring reasons to make your way into a pit?
X_X
9 p.m. Jan. 15 at Will's Pub, $10-$12
Weirdos unite to catch this seminal no wave act from the late '70s, featuring frontman John D. Morton (Electric Eels) reviving that exciting agitation with Craig Bell (of fellow Cleveland legends Rocket From the Tombs) and Matthew Harris. The balance between blissful rock-outs (like "Transmography") and spiky antisocial atonal stuff on their interpretation, Albert Ayler's Ghosts Live at the Yellow Ghetto, will offer disparate rationale for freaking out.
Torche
8 p.m. Jan. 22 at Will's Pub, $12-$15
Torche focused their doom pop last year on new record Restarter, and return to prove a simple lashing is still a force to be reckoned with. Expect a sweaty up-swell in the pit.
Shannon & the Clams - Norsekorea's 5 Year Anniversary
7 p.m. Jan. 23 at Backbooth, $12
Not only are we mad grateful for the continued boon to our calendar that Norsekorea provides each year with rad and tasteful booking that's often as indulgent as Oreo cheesecake, but we're also stoked they coaxed Shannon and the Clams down south while they're touring on one of 2015's best records, Gone by the Dawn. Add to it that the bill is further saturated by awesome bands like Golden Pelicans, Wet Nurse, Guy Blakeslee and Dumberbunnies, and this party doesn't even need a celebratory cake to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Tool and Primus
7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at CFE Arena, sold out
You don't exactly need to be told why this one is a major event, especially since it sold out in a matter of seconds, it felt like, but for those who secured their tickets, maybe spring for a new black shirt to stand out in this assuredly faded crowd?
G-Eazy
8 p.m. Jan. 29 at Hard Rock Live, sold out
One of the latest contradictions in rap is G-Eazy, the "James Dean of Rap" who keeps his boasts to what he knows, making it pretty damn accessible, but more than that, his authenticity is pretty damn convincing over woozy beats on 2015's sleepy swooner When It's Dark Out.
Gary Clark Jr.
7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at House of Blues, $33-$73.75
Mentored by Eric Clapton, this sick Texas guitarist knows how to do righteous blues – he just chose to go his own way on acclaimed 2015 release The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, which revives gospel spirit over infectious hip-hop rhythms, as if he woke up one day and decided to be a shiny new funk master instead. His genius is overwhelming on record, so live, it should be positively electric.
Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires
6 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Social, $20
Last year, you had to go to Tampa to catch Charles Bradley's riveting soul act, and a great many flocked to the coast because his highly acclaimed show is worth the added trek. Now it finally comes to us in Orlando, and in the perfect venue, where you can brace up close to Bradley's earth-shaking performance and hear every note of his pristine-gruff soul vocals over his beyond tight band.
They Might Be Giants
7 p.m. April 6 at the Beacham, $22-$35
Prolific pop band They Might Be Giants like to goof off, sure, but it's lyrically only, it seems, since they put out two serious offerings in 2015 – the dark bounce of Glean and their first kids album in six years, Why? – so if you've been a fan since before Flood (which celebrated 25 years last year!), don't sleep on the new stuff.
Napalm Death and Melvins
7 p.m. April 8 at the Plaza Live, $20-$22
This is the kind of bill that makes you snort soda out of your nose, featuring the legitimate sonic terror of pioneering British '80s metal band Napalm Death and the grunge-supernova-inspiring sneer of freaking sludge punks the Melvins. (Bonus opener: Melt Banana!!)
Justin Bieber
7:30 p.m. June 30 at Amway Center, $47.50-$112.50
ICYMI: 2015 was the year Justin Bieber brought Justin Bieber back with Purpose, and this massive arena show should be a campy affair, whether you're a serious fan or half-sneering celebrity goggler.
