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Weekend concert picks: J Balvin, Lindsey Buckingham, Hanson and more

 
Luis Sinco   |   Los Angeles Times/TNS (2017)  Lindsey Buckingham will perform at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater on Oct. 26. [Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/TNS (2017)]
Luis Sinco | Los Angeles Times/TNS (2017) Lindsey Buckingham will perform at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater on Oct. 26. [Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/TNS (2017)]
Published Oct. 24, 2018

YOU LIKE IT: J Balvin

What hath Despacito wrought? Thanks to a global Latin pop boom over the past year and a half, there's a very good chance you've become a giant fan of J Balvin. This summer, the Colombian reggaeton superstar became Spotify's most-streamed artist in the world, surpassing titans like Drake and Justin Bieber with a monthly listenership of more than 48 million. He's done it thanks to a string of hits both Spanish and bilingual, from his own Ginza and Mi Gente (with a remix featuring none other than Beyoncé) to Cardi B's 2018 Song of Summer contender I Like It. He's up for a leading eight trophies at November's Latin Grammys. But first, he'll stretch summer into fall with a concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Yuengling Center, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. $25 and up. (813) 974-3004. yuenglingcenter.com.

MMM...WHAT?

Hanson

Hanson was always more than just MMMBop. That much was evident to anyone who paid attention to the brotherly trio's actual talent (or who's ever sipped their quite tasty Hanson Brothers Beer). Still, no one could have foreseen their latest move: A theatrical tour backed by a symphony orchestra. A logical next step from Where's the Love, this wasn't. But anything that helps the world see Taylor, Zac and Isaac for more than just a trio of mid-'90s middle-school pinups is a good thing. Can you believe they've been around more than a quarter century? Crack open a Hanson Brothers Hop Jam Festive Ale and ponder that while you pregame for their show at 8 p.m. Friday at the Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. $39.50 and up. (727) 892-5767. themahaffey.com.

GOING HIS OWN WAY: Lindsey Buckingham

When last we saw Lindsey Buckingham in these parts, touring behind a duets album with Christine McVie, he called Fleetwood Mac "a dysfunctional family, but it is a family." Well, he was half right. This summer, Fleetwood Mac fired Buckingham for (depending on whose story you believe) refusing to commit to a long Mac tour, or simply being a guy Stevie Nicks couldn't stand. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, he said the group's manager fired him over the phone — and he's reportedly suing them for income he'll lose from their new tour, on which Buckingham is replaced by Crowded House's Neil Finn and the Heartbreakers' Mike Campbell. It's all messy, all par for the course with the Mac. For now, Buckingham is touring on his own in support of a new solo best-of anthology, which includes solo hits like Holiday Road and Go Insane. He might also play a few Fleetwood Mac songs, like Tusk or Go Your Own Way, at 8 p.m. Friday at the Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Sold out. (727) 791-7400. atthecap.com.

STUMP THE DRUMMER: Max Weinberg's Jukebox

You know how Bruce Springsteen likes to play "stump the band" with the E Street Band? It's been pretty good training for Max Weinberg's Jukebox, the latest live project by the drummer for the Boss. Weinberg and his four-piece band have a catalog of some 200 rock songs, from which audience members can help choose their setlist — and yes, there are a few Springsteen jams in the mix. That sounds like it has the potential for some real fun audience interaction, which might allow Weinberg to show off some of the offbeat comic chops he honed as the longtime bandleader for Late Night With Conan O'Brien. 8 p.m. Saturday. Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. $25 and up. (727) 791-7400. atthecap.com.

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INTERVIEW: Max Weinberg talks early Springsteen gigs, 'Late Night,' his son drumming in Slipknot and more

SWEET LOVIN': CupcakKe

Don't let the sweet name fool you: Nothing CupcakKe does is safe for work. Calling the wildly profane Chicago rapper's work "sex-positive" would be like calling Kanye West "quirky" — you can't even imagine how outrageous it can get. So while her bawdy boudoir boasting might not get her to Top 40 anytime soon, it makes her a killer choice to headline a late-night Halloween bash in Ybor City. Dress to impress, but shed your inhibitions at the door. 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Orpheum, 1915 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. $20 and up. (813) 248-9500. theorpheum.com.

NONE MORE BLACK: Behemoth

If you like your occult metal fantasies with a little bit of lightness, check out Ghost. If you prefer them black as sin, go with Behemoth. The Polish metal veterans bring elaborate makeup, costumes and stagecraft to their live shows, but don't yield an ounce of ferocity in the process. Their extreme yet melodic new album I Loved You At Your Darkest is another religion-blasting doomcloud that promises to have fans old and new re-pledging their faith. At the Gates and Wolves in the Throne Room open. 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $30 and up. (727) 565-0550. jannuslive.com.

SMILE TIME: Michael Franti and Spearhead

A double dose of Michael Franti and Spearhead should be enough to brighten anyone's week. The boho-pop shaman returns to Jannus Live at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, ready to shake a few souls with singles like The Sound of Sunshine and Say Hey (I Love You). This is how you enter the weekend with a smile on your face. Dustin Thomas and Victoria Canal open. 200 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $30 and up. (727) 565-0550. jannuslive.com.