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Weekend concert picks: Michael Bolton, Dashboard Confessional, Lecrae and more

 
Dashboard Confessional, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba, will perform at Jannus Live on March 24, 2018. Photo by David Bean.
Dashboard Confessional, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba, will perform at Jannus Live on March 24, 2018. Photo by David Bean.
Published March 21, 2018

STILL SHINING BRIGHT: Dashboard Confessional

Chris Carrabba is still a Florida Man. Even though he's moved to Nashville, even though he now sometimes writes for other singers in the biz, the emo troubadour behind Dashboard Confessional still feels a deep connection to the state where he came of age. "It's so geographically isolated, so if you're going to have a scene, you're going to make it yourself," Carrabba, 42, said by phone recently. "Some tours are going to come there, but certainly not every tour you ever want to see." As long as Dashboard Confessional is still waving a flag for aging, sad kids worldwide, they'll always make time on tour for the Sunshine State. Their tour behind Crooked Shadows, their first new album in eight years, hits Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N in St. Petersburg, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. $29 and up, which if purchased through Ticketmaster includes a download of Crooked Shadows. Beach Slang opens. (727) 565-0550. jannuslive.com.

Click here for more with Chris Carrabba.

LOVE SAFARI: Michael Bolton

If you find the image of Michael Bolton crooning Can I Touch You .?.?. There? near a mob of kangaroos ridiculous, you clearly don't know Michael Bolton. The singer has proven time and again he's got a nice sense of humor about himself, appearing in videos with the Lonely Island (Jack Sparrow) and starring in his own Netflix comedy special (Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special). He even filmed a Funny or Die video in which he was inserted into Office Space in place of the office drone who famously, and bitterly, shares his name. So singing Said I Loved You .?.?. But I Lied while flamingos mill about at Busch Gardens should be no problem. Bolton takes the stage at 6 p.m. Sunday in Gwazi Park for the park's Food and Wine Festival. But first, '90s rockers Better Than Ezra (Good) and Tonic (If You Could Only See) get this weekend's action kicking at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Both shows are free with park admission. Food and drinks are extra. buschgardens.com.

MAN OF FAITH: Lecrae

Gospel rap superstar Lecrae on the same stage as Atlanta booty-roller Ludacris and trap sensations Migos? It happened last fall at Wild 94.1's Last Damn Show in Tampa. But maybe his presence wasn't too surprising, considering the headliner was Chance the Rapper, who owes a lot to Lecrae's hopeful, inspirational openness, as do chart-topping acts like Logic and NF. The rapper's latest effort, All Things Work Together, showcases his gift for uplifting lyrics that don't sound corny, songs about perseverance, redemption the joy of being young and full of potential. 7 p.m. Friday. Ritz Ybor, 1503 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. $23 and up. (813) 390-0397. ritzybor.com.

WHAT'S IN A NAME? Primavera Music Festival

Let's get this straight. Primavera Sound, set for later this spring in Barcelona, is a world-class music festival headlined by Lorde, Bjork, Arctic Monkeys and many more. The Primavera Music Festival, Saturday in Safety Harbor, features "Florida's largest Easter egg drop." It should still be a fun time, with food trucks, fireworks, arts, crafts, a 90-foot Ferris wheel and a full day of music. In fact, one of the day's big names, Bradenton-raised, Nashville-based alt-soul singer R.Lum.R actually is playing major summer fests like Bonnaroo and Hangout. Joining him are Ethan Parker, the Groove Orient, Ajeva, the Black Honkeys and more. Gates open at noon; fireworks at 9 p.m. Safety Harbor Waterfront Park, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane. $19 and up. primaverafest.com.

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STRIPPED DOWN: The Nude Party

Clothing is mandatory when the Nude Party hits Crowbar Monday night. But after a few songs, you might feel like stripping down and dancing shirtless, hippie-style. The North Carolina garage rockers snake and sizzle through pitch-perfect throwback '60s psych rock on their 2016 album Hot Tub — strong, stanky strains of the Animals and Small Faces and Them run throughout. Glove and FayRoy open. 8 p.m. 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. $7-10. (813) 241-8600.