D-LIGHTFUL: Social Distortion
Frontmen don't come much realer than Mike Ness, the tattooed, throwback leader of Social Distortion. Since 1978, his SoCal punk outfit has fused power rock, cowpunk and rockabilly in a unique and influential fashion, scoring a few iconic singles (Ball and Chain, their cover of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire) along the way. Despite the odd hiatus due to Ness' struggles with drug addiction, they've plowed along for nearly four decades, even picking up fans ranging from Bruce Springsteen and Brian Setzer to Lucero and Frank Turner. Social D doesn't come here often — their last local show was at Jannus in 2010 — and as a result this show sold out weeks ago. The opening act, alt-country phenom Jade Jackson, is a powerful reason to get there early. 7 p.m. Sunday at Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 565-0550. jannuslive.com.
SOUL SURVIVOR: Lalah Hathaway
It's about time. Lalah Hathaway was supposed to play Clearwater's Capitol Theatre last fall with Chick Corea, but the gig fell through. Nor has she come to Tampa with Snarky Puppy, the jazz ensemble with whom she won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance (Something). In other words, we're long overdue for a local performance by the silken-voiced jazz and soul singer. Thankfully, Hathaway will rectify that at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St. Since her first Grammy win with Snarky Puppy in 2013, the veteran singer has racked up five more trophies, including Best R&B Album this year for Lalah Hathaway Live. With songs under her belt with Pharrell Williams and Kendrick Lamar, among others, she's now a bona fide R&B superstar, just like her dad, '70s legend Donny Hathaway. The chance to hear her in a setting as stately as the Tampa Theatre is one not to miss. $34.50 and up. (813) 274-8286. tampatheatre.org.
HIS KIND OF LIVIN': Craig Morgan
Last year was a devastating one for country singer Craig Morgan, whose 19-year-old son died after going missing during an inner tube outing on the Tennessee River. That it happened to a guy whose resume includes nearly 10 years of active duty in the Army and countless USO tours as a recording artist. Morgan is widely known and loved for hits like That's What I Love About Sunday, Redneck Yacht Club and International Harvester. But he's also become one of Nashville's more outspoken conservatives, ripping lefty celebrities like Michael Moore on Twitter and urging Donald Trump opponents to make good on their pre-election word and move to Canada. Love him or hate him, few singers have lived a life like Morgan. After his family tragedy last year, he's back on the road, and will perform at 10 p.m. Friday at the Dallas Bull, 3322 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $15 and up. (813) 987-2855. dallasbull.com.
TRUE GRITT: The Delta Troubadours
It has barely been a month since the Delta Troubadours' last gig in Ybor City, at New World Brewery. Must've gone well, since they have another one Friday at Crowbar. The Gainesville group has a lot of grit in its blues-rock music — they were, in fact, once called Gritt, now the title of their EP — and is making waves around the South. Their EP, released in January, was recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., and they won a band battle to play March's Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival. Might not be long before this group, whose members hail from Tampa, is repping the city nationwide. Sam E Hues and All Day Tuck open at 8 p.m. Crowbar, 1812 17th St. N, Ybor City. $8 and up. (813) 241-8600.