Alan Jackson
With Rodney Atkins, David Nail, Jana Kramer
Details: Sunday 3 p.m. 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre, 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $25-$80. (813) 740-2446.
Eighteen years ago, Alan Jackson wrote the song Gone Country about revved-up rockers and poppers disguising themselves as country singers, something that still rings true today. Jackson, you see, is a honky-tonk traditionalist with a strong, warm and almost fatherly tone. He has charted hit after hit — a whopping 35 Billboard country No. 1s, to be exact — about murky water, small towns, love and loss, boozing and blue jeans. They include Chattahoochee, It's Five O'Clock Somewhere and She's Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues), a collaboration with recent headline-maker and naked driver Randy Travis. Anticipate these and more, including tracks from newest release Thirty Miles West.
Wiz Khalifa
With Juicy J, Chevy Woods, Lola Monroe, Berner, Tuki Carter
Details: Sunday 7:30 p.m. USF Sun Dome, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. $30 and up. (813) 974-3002.
With Pittsburgh-proud anthem Black and Yellow, tatted-up rapper Wiz Khalifa shouted out the Steel City, Terrible Towels and push-button ignition, and catapulted into hip-hop's spotlight. Khalifa and his Converse-loving Taylor Gang look to keep the momentum going with sophomore album O.N.I.F.C. The disc due out next week contains already released hit Work Hard, Play Hard and brings the same low-key flow and smoke lingo that's earned Khalifa "Snoop Dog successor" mentions.
Rock the Lens
Featuring Arrested Development
Details: Sunday 6 p.m. Jannus Live, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. Free with ticket. (727) 565-0551.
On Sunday, progressive rap-soul act Arrested Development returns to play "Rock the Lens," a concert and rally to move forward on the Pier's proposed replacement. We're not sure how Arrested Development, the act that tackled political and social injustices in the '90s, fits in exactly, but a free show shouldn't be argued. Strongly spiritual hit Tennessee and street-dweller ode Mr. Wendal are likely to be on tap.
Killswitch Engage
With Shadows Fall, Acaro
Details: Tuesday 8 p.m. State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $20 and up. (727) 895-3045.
Like any good metal act should, Massachusetts five-piece Killswitch Engage made an entrance to thunderous blasts of fire the last time we saw them. Then came a blaring of emotive, often operatic metalcore (including the triumphant My Curse and a crushing cover of Ronnie James Dio's Holy Diver), matching tuxedo shirts, capes, air horns and props. Longtime vocalist Howard Jones has since left the band, but don't pooh-pooh just yet. Original vocalist Jesse Leach is back, and he's pumped up. Killswitch celebrates the 10th anniversary of '02 disc Alive or Just Breathing with a front-to-back bash-through of the record.
Vodkanauts' 10th Anniversary Deluxe Super-Spectacular Extravaganza
Details: Saturday 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $12-$15. (813) 971-0666.
The local legends and musical meanderers celebrate 10 years as the preeminent (and possibly only) "power lounge" act. "Imagine a twilight world of sonic make-believe where Dean Martin and Neil Diamond share equal billing with Danny Gatton and Hank Marvin; where reverb-drenched surf freakouts segue into a small jazzy combo playing a Vegas nightspot frequented by The In Crowd; where roadhouse-rockin' twangfests coexist with tranquil atmospheric meditations," describes Vodkanauts band leader and guitarist Mark Warren.
Erick Morillo
With Pedro M., Nano
Details: Tonight at 9. Ritz Ybor, 1503 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. $30. (813) 247-2555.
One of the most equitable brand names in house music makes his first-ever Tampa tour stop. Erick Morillo, the man behind 1994's I Like to Move It, has enjoyed resurgence in a rave new world. To honor one of the town's biggest success stories, New Jersey's Union City dedicated a street to the DJ last month, aptly calling it "Erick Morillo Way."
Times correspondent Carole Liparoto can be reached at carole.liparoto@gmail.com.
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