/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ZN6VTJGHUEI6TJTLIBWI6S7HAY.jpg "Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews performs at Bluesfest Byron Bay 2013 in Byron Bay, Australia.")
Trombone Shorty
5 p.m. Sunday
He's a familiar face in these parts, having headlined the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Tampa Bay Blues Fest and Tropical Heatwave. And you may have caught him backing up Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Madonna at this year's Grammys. But that's no excuse for skipping what'll surely be a compelling performance by swaggering brassman Troy Andrews. Ever heard a big-brass cover of Nirvana's In Bloom? Here's your chance.
Jason Isbell.
3:45 p.m. Sunday
You'll likely hear as much buzz about this Americana singer-songwriter as any artist at this year's fest. That's partly due to the former Drive-By Trucker's heartbreaking, soul-baring 2013 album Southeastern, considered by many his finest work to date. Tip: Get there early, as Isbell will probably make an appearance during wife Amanda Shires' set at 11:30 a.m.
J. Roddy Walston and the Business
4:30 p.m. Saturday
On his 2013 album Essential Tremors, shaggy Southern rocker Walston wears his classic-rock influences on his sleeve, particularly Leon Russell and Led Zeppelin. If you think Kings of Leon went way too Hollywood, way too quickly, then Walston is the guy for you.
RJD2
7:45 p.m. Saturday
Do the ominous strings and icy-cool pulse of the Mad Men theme send shivers up your spine? You have RJD2 to thank. GMF's first big-name DJ, the producer born Ramble John Krohn, lent his instrumental track A Beautiful Mine to AMC's Emmy-winning juggernaut, but several of his other trippy, funky jams have ended up in commercials and TV shows, so you may recognize more of his work than you think.
Those Darlins
3:15 p.m. Saturday
The Ramones and Runaways were clear influences on this Nashville garage-rock quartet's addictive 2011 album Screws Get Loose, but they explored trippier, more psychedelic waters — without losing an ounce of edge — on 2013's Blur the Line.
Culture featuring Kenyatta Hill
2:30 p.m. Saturday
You can't kill Jamaican roots reggae, not even after founding singer-songwriter Joseph Hill's death in 2006. His son Kenyatta carries on the legacy of his father, particularly that of landmark 1977 album Two Sevens Clash, considered an all-time classic of the genre.
… and
4
locals, too
Benjamin Booker
noon Saturday
Technically, Booker is a semi-recent Tampa emigrant, leaving his adopted hometown for the greener musical pastures of New Orleans. It's paying off, as the blues-rock guitarist recently signed with ATO Records (Trey Anastasio, Old Crow Medicine Show, Alabama Shakes, My Morning Jacket).
Good Graeff
12:30 p.m. Saturday
With a cello and guitar, Sarasota identical twins Brittany and Brooke Graeff play poppy and catchy indie folk rock. Tegan and Sara are an obvious (and decent) comparison, but a better one might be Ra Ra Riot, who headlined GMF 2012.
Zulu Wave
2:45 p.m. Saturday
The tiny Tibbetts' Corner stage may not be able to contain fierce alt-rock quartet Zulu Wave. During St. Petersburg's recent Whigfest, singer-guitarist Michael Barrow shredded so hard he nearly took down the Mandarin Hide's famed chandelier.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MM5ST76AWFAT3CHHZIYIWENSUM.JPG "Planning your weekend?")
Planning your weekend?
Subscribe to our free Top 5 things to do newsletter
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Explore all your optionsMatt Hires
2:15 p.m. Sunday
The Seminole Heights singer's latest album title is a mouthful: This World Won't Last Forever, But Tonight We Can Pretend. But his signature brand of polished pop songwriting remains, from the chugging single Restless Heart to the hands-in-the-air heart-bleeder Forever.
Jay Cridlin, Times staff writer
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/95469e01-92f8-4f5c-8400-4e5fe57c701b.png "Jay Cridlin - Economic Development Reporter")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/MWg9A9s4LKULoi-wQ2RNUU_OLQQ=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ESMTW3SRZ5F3PB63LSJBNMPRNQ.jpg "Speak Easy showcases the lively creativity of Tampa Bay’s indie music community")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/1BUlqbY2bRwPc8psgL-8SM2rU9Y=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/TPSV3DXGDVEFFJYWBXLT5ZR6QU.jpg "Concert by Chicago to celebrate Hooters 40th anniversary in Clearwater")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SJFY4WKKYP5ZT4BUNXMFEIPNPM.jpg "Def Leppard drummer attacked outside Florida Four Seasons hotel")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7S7AKY42QNGFJJETOCZ2EDJ4A4.jpeg "The original Misfits lineup to play Tampa’s MidFlorida Credit Union this summer")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MEYPZKPIRZHFVDAUYO6DK5ZOYQ.JPG "9 unexpected things to check out from Hillsborough and Pinellas libraries")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/46W42Q34QJDGLGW3MV7RWL3KV4.jpg "Largo music teacher died during the pandemic. Next weekend, she’ll be remembered.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/452TZOV7CVA3HDVDV3C3QUTU74.JPG "The Cure to play a Tampa show for the first time since 2008")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/L356I4TUDZF2VPORYB33Z4BHOQ.JPG "Gasparilla Music Festival will happen in April at Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Park")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BZTAFN3MVFDLHB2K57BVLKW6MQ.JPG "Soulja Boy to bring pretty boy swag to Tampa’s Ritz Ybor")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XHU63ZQUC5DHFBVPDUKD6AD6RU.JPG "New Clearwater music venue at Coachman Park gets a name and artist lineup")