Orlando’s concert game has never been stronger. Here are the most important shows coming to the City Beautiful this spring.
Saturday, March 24
Alice Cooper The original Motor City shock rocker breaks out the guillotine one more time., 8 p.m. at Hard Rock Live; $45.50 ; 407-351-7625.
Photo via Alice Cooper’s website Credit: Alice Cooper | courtesy photoSaturday, March 24
Chrome Sparks, Machinedrum Neu young synthesist Chrome Sparks teams with the acclaimed, hip-hop-steeped Machinedrum, 7 p.m. at the Social; $22-$25; 407-246-1419
Photo via The SocialFriday, March 30
Broken Social Scene Redoubtable Toronto indie rock collective big on hooks and heartbreak., 7 p.m. at House of Blues; $26-$48.75, 407-934-2583
Photo via Norman Wong/Broken Social Science/FacebookWednesday, April 4
Ho99o9 A truly seismic night with rap demons Ho999o9 joined by 3Teeth and the terrifying Street Sects.; 8 p.m. at Blackstar; $18.80; 407-934-2583
Photo via H09909/FacebookFriday, April 6
Buddy Guy Beyond-legendary Chicago blues guitarist is responsible for influencing a good deal of the rock music in your record collection., 7 p.m. at House of Blues; $39.50 ; 407-934-2583
Photo via Buddy Guy’s websiteFriday, April 13
Dr. Dog Good-time rockers Dr. Dog come bearing songs from critically lauded new album Critical Equation. (Hey!),; 9 p.m. at Plaza Live; $23-$34.50; 407-228-1220
Photo via Dr. Dog’s websiteFriday, April 20
Minus the Bear Seattle indie-rock heroes continue to expand their musical boundaries ever outward., 6 p.m. at the Beacham; $29.50; 407-648-8363
Photo via Sher Vinlainez/Orlando WeeklySunday, April 29
Alan Parsons Live Project Legendary prog-rock behemoths reunite for a night of technical wizardry., 8 p.m. at the Plaza Live; $57-$77; 407-228-1220
Photo via Simon Lowery/Alan Parsons/FacebookSunday, April 29
Bad Bunny The Puerto Rican rapper-producer is rising fast – he was recently named an Apple Music “Up Next” artist., 7 p.m. at Amway Center; $80.50-$140.50; 407-228-1220
Photo via Bad Bunny/Orlando WeeklyThursday, May 3
Brian Jonestown Massacre Against all odds, the relentlessly creative and constantly changing psych-rock ensemble led by Anton Newcombe survives and thrives., 7 p.m. at the Social; $30-$35; 407-246-1419
Photo via Brian Jonestown/FacebookTuesday, May 8
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Makeup gig for the American shoegaze-sleaze merchants and feedback enthusiasts., 7 p.m. at the Beacham; $26; $30-$35; 407-648-8363
Photo via Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s WebsiteFriday, May 11
Patti LaBelle Iconic diva and foodie entrepreneur LaBelle restakes her claim as one of the great voices of R&B., 8 p.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center; $39.50
Photo via Patti LaBelle/FacebookWednesday, May 16
Oh Wonder U.K. indie-pop duo have hit the big time, but keep their focus squarely on their sweet, catchy music.; 7 p.m. at House of Blues; $25-$29
Photo via Oh Wonder/FacebookThursday, May 17
New Found Glory Pop-punk stalwarts return, bringing Bayside, Movielife and former Yellowcard singer Ryan Key along for the ride.; 6:30 p.m. at House of Blues; $28.50
Photo via New Found Glory/FacebookThursday, May 17
American Pleasure Club Once known as Teen Suicide, the former solo songwriting vehicle for singer/guitarist Sam Ray is now a fully formed band.; 7 p.m. at Soundbar; $13-$15
Photo via American Pleasure Club/FacebookFriday, May 18
Hammerfall Beyond-epic Swedish metal gods are like several live action role-playing games come to life all at once.; 6:30 p.m. at the Haven Lounge; $27-$70
Photo via Hammerfall/FacebookSunday, March 25
Dashboard Confessional Emo-punk godfather Chris Carrabba and crew are hitting Orlando as part of their “We Fight 2018” tour, playing out songs from their first album in eight years, Crooked Shadows.;6:30 p.m. at House of Blues; $33.10.
Photo via Dashboard Confessional/FacebookFriday, April 6
WPRK: Frequencies Formerly an event to mark the return of WPRK to the FM airwaves (but sadly delayed again), Blackstar hosts the first in a series of WPRK-curated events featuring bands, DJs and guest speakers. Confirmed to perform are Cabo Boing, Acoqui, the Palmettes, Tele & the Ghost of Our Lord and a DJ set from Sales.; 8 p.m. at Blackstar; free.
Photo via WPRK: Frequencies/FacebookThursday, April 12
OMD British synth-pop legends Orchestral Manouevres in the Dark will be winding down their U.S. tour in Florida, promoting new album The Punishment of Luxury. Expect the big hits (“If You Leave”) and the deep cuts (“Electricity,” “Enola Gay”).; 7 p.m. at the Beacham; $30-$35.;
Photo via OMD/FacebookFriday, April 13
Rock Fight At long last, Rock Fight returns! It’s an underground institution and musical punchout put on by Total Punk wherein ad hoc “all-star” bands form for the night and play a cover song drawn out of a hat, then are judged mercilessly by local rock experts. Expect colorful costumes and wrestling-level gimmicks.; 9 p.m. at Will’s Pub; free.
Photo via Rock Fight/FlickrSaturday, April 14
Ortrotasce Minimal wave and dark synth are increasingly becoming the favored listening of bleeding-edge tastemakers, and would you believe that a musician setting the tone for this new wave is from nearby St. Petersburg? Hear for yourself when Nic Hamersly brings his analog synth arsenal. It’s gonna get chilly.; 10 p.m. at Blackstar; free.
Photo via Ortotasce/FacebookMonday, April 16
The Black Angels Total blackout! Austin psych-freaks Black Angels are bringing their “Birds and the Bees” tour with Atlanta’s garage outcasts the Black Lips (a band that helped christen the current location of Will’s Pub back in olden tymes).; 7 p.m. at the Beacham; $25-$27.50.
Photo via The Black Angels/FacebookWednesday, April 18
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are hitting the road in support of new album The Nashville Sound, with support from oddball British guitar legend and Fairport Convention founder Richard Thompson.;8 p.m. at Dr. Phillips Center; $32.50-$60.
Photo via Jason Isbell/FacebookFriday, April 20
Modest Mouse Washington state indie-rock luminaries Modest Mouse just announced a U.S. tour set for this spring, with Orlando as one of the first couple of shows of the two-month trek. The only other Florida show scheduled is in St. Augustine.; 8 p.m. at Hard Rock Live;$43-$48.
Photo via Modest Mouse/FacebookSunday, April 22
Mayhem on Mills Total Punk presents its twist on the rock & wrestling connection with an outdoor throwdown in the Will’s Pub parking lot. Live sets from Golden Pelicans and Gino and the Goons will be paired with straight-up wrestling matches and drunken antics.; 3 p.m. at Will’s Pub; free.;
Photo via Total Punk/FacebookTuesday, April 24
Pink Pop survivor Pink is riding high after the release of her new album (Beautiful Trauma) and a documentary on the making of said album. Now the singular singer is taking her show on the road with a 40-date trek including this Orlando arena gig. Expect extra!; 7 p.m. at Amway Center; $138-$171.
Photo via P!nk/FacebookMonday, April 30
Yanni Lion-maned synth enthusiast Yanni is packing up his keyboards and his orchestra and hitting the road to mark the 25th anniversary of his iconic (there, we said it) Live at the Acropolis album. Get mellow.; 7:30 p.m. at Dr. Phillips Center; $49.50.
Photo via Yanni/FacebookFriday, May 4
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic Funk mastermind George Clinton is mobilizing his all-star all-alien Parliament Funkadelic supergroup for a series of U.S. engagements. As far as Florida goes, Clinton will only be landing the Mothership in Orlando.; 7:30 p.m. at House of Blues;$28.
Photo via William Thoren/George Clinton P-Funk/FacebookSaturday, May 12
Hayley Kiyoko New pop royalty Kiyoko got her start in acting with roles in the Scooby Doo and Jem and the Holograms reboots, but now she’s charting her own path as a nervy out-and-proud singer/songwriter. Show was bumped up from the Social to the Beacham, so something is happening here quickly. Get in on this.; 6 p.m. at the Beacham; $23.
Photo via Hayley Kiyoko/FacebookWednesday, May 16
Guided by Voices Bartender, 500 more drinks for me and my friends! Celebrated rust-belt art-rockers GBV are hitting the road behind new album How Do You Spell Heaven with a lineup that includes new (Bobby Bare Jr.) and old (Doug Gillard) faces alike. Expect it to get intimate and sloppy in the best ways.; 8 p.m. at the Social; $29.50.
Photo via Guided By Voices/Facebook
