Maroon 5 announces Tampa concert date

   Maroon 5 is everywhere. Though they're probably most widely known these days because of singer Adam Levine's regular gig as a judge on "The Voice," the band is touring steadily, making new music and doing a lot of TV. (They'll be on "The Tonight Show" tonight (Tuesday, Sept. 2), on "America's Got Talent" tomorrow and "The Ellen Degeneres Show" on Sept. 28.

Maroon 5's Adam Levine

   Today the band announced it was coming to the Tampa Bay Times Forum. The concert, in support of Maroon 5's latest album "V," is set for Feb. 25. The album was just released today.
   Tickets for the concert will go on sale at 10 a.m. Sept. 13. Call 813-301-2500 or go to tampabaytimesforum.com.

   A Canadian reggae fusion band called Magic! will be the "special guest" and singer-songwriter Rozzi Crane will be the opening act.

      

 

Brantley Gilbert, Colt Ford perform in Tampa

  If you couldn't make it to Joyland to see Colt Ford on Friday -- or if you caught his show and it left you wanting more -- we've got some good news for you: Ford will be back in town in just a few months.
   He's one of the acts in the "Throwdown by the Bay," a mammoth country show headlined by Brantley Gilbert that's scheduled for 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa.
 

Parmalee

 Also slated to perform are Parmalee, Tyler Farr and Chase Bryant.
   Gilbert's having a phenomenal year, with his successful "Let It Ride" tour, his gold album "Just as I Am" and his platinum single "Bottoms Up."
   The concert's presented by radio station US 103.5, and the lineup offers something for just about any country-lover's taste, from the bluegrass-flavored music of Parmalee to the hick-hop of country-rap pioneer Ford.
   Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. this Friday, Aug. 22. They'll run you $29.75, $35 and $43 plus service charge. Call 813-301-2500 or go to tampabaytimesforum.com.

Boston Pops to perform in Tampa

   They're called "America's Orchestra."

   The Boston Pops Orchestra is by far the best-known pops orchestra in the country, and perhaps the most famous orchestra of any kin.

   Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops will perform in Tampa on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Lockhart has been at the helm of the orchestra for nearly 20 years.

 

Lockhart

 They'll be at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, performing a program titled "The Very Best of the Boston Pops."  It includes symphonic selections by Dvorak and Copland, 20th-century works by Ellington and Gershwin, rock by Queen and film music by former Boston Pops conductor John Williams. Pianist Michael Chertock joins the orchestra for a performance of George Gershwin’s "I Got Rhythm Variations." 

   Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1. They'll set you back  $25, $35, $55 and $75. Floor table seating is available for $100. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $125 which includes premium floor table seating and a meet and greet with Lockhart. Go to  tampabaytimesforum.com or call 813-301-6926 for more information

'Jesus Christ Superstar' national tour canceled abruptly

   Lots of people got really excited about the prospect of hearing Johnny Rotten sing Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Lots of people are now disappointed.
   On Friday, the entire national arena tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar" was abruptly canceled without explanation. It was supposed to come to Tampa on June 15.

Johnny Rotten Lydon

   The cast -- including Brandon Boyd of Incubus as Judas, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child as Mary Magdalene, and Rotten (here going by Johnny Rotten Lydon) of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd. as King Herod -- was still rehearsing as recently as Thursday, and the cancellation apparently caught them off-guard. Pictures of cast members gathered together making obscene gestures directed at the show's producers were ubiquitous on Facebook Friday.
    As of Saturday morning, there was no reference to the show or the cancellation on the Tampa Bay Times Forum website, but a statement from the production company said all tickets will be refunded.

   If you have tickets, call the Forum at 813-301-2500 or check tampabaytimesforum.com. If you bought tickets online or by phone, the production company says you'll get your refund automatically.

Disney On Ice brings 'Frozen' to Tampa

   It's such a natural concept you had to suspect it was in the works: "Frozen" on ice.
   Feld Entertainment announced today that a new Disney On Ice show based on the spectacularly popular Academy Award-winning animated musical will come to the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa.
 

  Unfortunately for "Frozen" fans, the ice show won't open for almost a full year. It's scheduled for seven shows, May 14-17, 2015.
   Tickets will be on sale in just a couple of weeks, though. You can order by phone (800-745-3000) or online (ticketmaster.com) starting at 10 a.m. June 3. Tickets start at $18 plus service charge.
   The familiar songs (“Let it Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Fixer Upper," among many others) and characters from "Frozen" will be part of the ice show, the Feld people say, but the new show makes some additions to the story. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse take the audience through the magical story, and there will be special appearances by Disney characters from "Toy Story," "Finding Nemo" and "The Lion King."

Tampa mayor goes overboard for Billy Joel

   The press release arrived by email Tuesday afternoon. At 2 p.m. Wednesday, it said, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn would hold a press conference at the Tampa Bay Times Forum to make a "major concert announcement."
   It instantly became fodder for newsroom and social media speculation. Who could it possibly be?
   Paul Simon and Sting had just announced a joint tour and the last date was in Orlando. Maybe a Tampa show had been added. Was that big enough for this kind of announcement?

Billy Joel

   Paul McCartney? The Rolling Stones? Bruce Sprinsgsteen? Neil Young? They had all been here before, with no mayoral pronouncements preceding their appearances.
   What about some weird thing with, like, the remaining members of the Who and Nirvana?
   Who in the world was a big enough star that the mayor would announce the concert?
   Maybe some feuding major rappers appearing together for the first time?
   Whoever it is, it had to be someone massive, a mega-star of unrivaled renown.
   Early Wednesday afternoon, a non-mayoral announcement came out that Miley Cyrus had added another show at the Forum. She's bringing her Bangerz Tour to the Tampa Bay Times Forum on March 20. (She's also headlining the 93.3-FLZ Jingle Ball at the same venue on Dec. 18.)
   Could that be that be what had hizzoner so enthused?
   Then just after 2 p.m., we got the official word: Billy Joel is coming to the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Jan. 17.
   Billy Joel's okay and all. Sure, back in the day he made the worst videos this side of Hall and Oates, but he wrote some good songs and had some big hits in the 1970s. He married Christie Brinkley and let all us goofy-looking guys believe that we might have a shot with supermodels.
   But seriously -- that's a "major concert announcement" worthy of the mayor of a mid-sized American city? That's what music fans all over west central Florida have been buzzing about for the past 24 hours? Billy Joel just played in St. Petersburg last year!
   It wasn't half as exciting as anyone was guessing, and most people thought their guesses didn't have the star-power to merit such hype. In fact, the emailed Miley Cyrus announcement earlier in the day was every bit as big a deal as the mayor's thing about Billy Joel.
   Oh, well. At least we don't have to wonder anymore.

The Eagles add Tampa to "History" tour

   Laid-back '70s rockers the Eagles are coming to Tampa.

Frey, Henley and Walsh

   The band, which now consists of original members Glenn Frey and Don Henley and long-timers Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Shmit, will stop at the Tampa Bay Times Forum Nov. 20.
   Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. June 29. They'll set you back $28 to $177.
   The blurb on the Forum's website says the band will perform their "classics... including some that have never been performed live." Hard to imagine what those might be, but we'll find out in November.
   Call 813-301-2500 or go to www.tampabaytimesfourm.com for information.

Josh Groban announces November concert in Tampa

   Pop star and former wunderkind Josh Groban is coming to Tampa.
   Tickets go on sale May 10 for the Nov. 9 concert at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. He has a small band traveling with him, and he's hiring an orchestra and chorus in each city on his American tour, which kicks off Oct. 2.

Josh Groban

   The concert will be in the round, with the stage in the center of the arena and seats all around. That makes for closer seating, and it means the worst seats won't be as distant as in a traditional set-up.
   Groban had a semi-operatic sound early in his career, but lately he's become a chart-topping pop-rocker. His latest album includes songs by Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Webb and Dave Matthews, and it was produced by Rob Cavallo of Green Day fame..
    The Tampa Bay Times Forum is at 401 Channelside Drive in  Tampa. Call 813-301-6500 or visit www.tampabaytimesforum.com.

Lady Gaga cancels Tampa show

If you were planning on catching Lady Gaga's show at the Tampa Bay Times Forum March 13, we’ve got some bad news for you. She has canceled that show and all the remaining concerts on her “Born This Way Ball” tour.

The news is even worse for Gaga herself. She apparently has a labral tear of the right hip and will need surgery, according to a statement issued by the Tampa Bay Times Forum. That means the soft tissue in her hip socket is damaged. It’s bad enough that she needs surgery.

The show hasn’t been rescheduled, but if you have tickets you can get your money back. If you bought tickets by phone or online through Ticketmaster, refunds are automatic. If you bought them at a Ticketmaster outlet, you have to go to that outlet. If you bought them at the Forum box office or sales office, you can get refunds there as of today. If you bought from a third party, you’ll have to work it out with that third party.

—Marty Clear

—Photo by Evan Agostini - FILE - This Dec. 15, 2012 file photo shows singer Lady Gaga performing at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/02/13/3173174/lady-gaga-cancels-rest-of-tour.html#storylink=cpy

UPDATED 2/11: Tampa-bound comic Katt Williams a no-show in California court; cancels in Tampa

UPDATED 2/11: Katt Williams cancels in Tampa; refund details 

Troubled comedian Katt Williams, who is scheduled to perform at the Tampa Bay Times on Saturday, was a no-show for a Sacramento court date Monday, according to Bradenton Herald sister publication the Sacramento Bee.

Williams was to be arraigned at a 10:30 a.m. appearance in Sacramento Superior Court in connection with a Nov. 25 incident in which Williams was allegedly observed driving a three-wheeled motorcycle and failing to stop for police.

The incident is one of several facing the comic and actor known for his role as Money Mike in the movie “Friday After Next” and for his role in Nick Cannon’s MTV improv show “Wild n’ Out.”

On Jan. 9, the Los Angeles Times reported that Williams was arrested after he failed to show up for a court date in Sacramento. It marked his seventh arrest in the last 26 months.

Last August, Showtime aired “Katt Williams: Kattpacalypse,” which was taped New Year’s Eve 2012 in front of 7,000 attendees at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. His performance includes riffing on everything from Obama to Doomsday.

Details: 8 p.m. Feb 9, Tampa Bay Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Tickets: $42.25-$100. Information: 813-287-8844 or www.ticketmaster.com.

—Photo: Comedian Katt Williams poses for a portrait in Marina Del Rey in 2008. Credit: Anne Cusack/ Los Angeles Times

Alicia Keys tour has Tampa date

Pop-soul queen Alicia Keys' 24-city North American tour in support of her new album "Girl on Fire" will make a March 24 stop at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Joining the star singer-songwriter on tour is rising R&B luminary Miguel, the "Adorn" singer who was recently nominated for five Grammy Awards including Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance and Best Urban Contemporary Album.

Keys issued a statement about the upcoming tour, her opening act and latest album.

"I can feel the energy of this upcoming year building and I couldn’t be more excited to go on tour with the new album! Everything is new and this show is going to be so fresh and I’m thrilled to have the insanely talented Miguel join me,” Keys said.

“'Girl On Fire' has been such an empowering and freeing experience for me as an artist. I can’t wait to discover how the new and familiar faces I see on tour embrace the music and the journey we're taking.”

Tickets: Tickets for the event go on sale 10 a.m. Jan. 18 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Ticketmaster outlets and at Ticketmaster.com.  To order tickets by phone call 800-745-3000.  Ticket prices are $45.25, $55.25, $75.25 and $100.25. Prices do not include facility fee or service charges. 

—Photo: Alicia Keys arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images. View rest of photo gallery at Bradenton.com.

Fleetwood Mac has Tampa date

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Fleetwood Mac will be embarking on a 34-city U.S. tour after a three year break beginning April 4.

The tour was announced today by the group and Live Nation, the tour's national promoter. Fleetwood Mac Live 2013 arena tour includes stops in Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Chicago and a special appearance at the historic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Oh yeah, and a June 7 date at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Price haven't been announced yet but tickets for the first run of shows go on sale Dec. 14 at Ticketmaster.com.

To coincide with the tour and anniversary, a new deluxe reissue of the band's bestselling 1977 album "Rumours" with previously unreleased studio and live tracks will be released in early 2013 from Rhino.

The current Fleetwood Mac lineup includes Mick Fleetwood and John McVie - both original members since 1967, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks who joined the band in 1975.

"Having started Fleetwood Mac with John McVie in 1967, it has always been so gratifying that despite the various incarnations, the band has survived," Mick Flettwood said in a statement. "Throughout the years, though, the one thing that has remained constant is our fans. I am looking forward to getting back behind the kit, reconnecting with the fans and sharing the stage with my fellow band members."

Nicks also made a statement.

"After spending four days at Lindsey's house working on music and one really fun day doing a crazy photo session, I am quite excited about next year. Everything seems to be falling into place. 2013 looks like the year of Fleetwood Mac," she said. 

—AP file photo of Stevie Nicks.

Bon Jovi announces Tampa show; film screening in Sarasota

Good news for Bon Jovi enthusiasts.

The hair metal band that survived the 1980s to fill arenas in the 2000s has another area concert coming up and special film screening at a local theater confirmed for Tuesday.

“Bon Jovi Because We Can – The Tour” has a March 1 date at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, the venue announced late today.

Tickets, which start at $19.50, go on sale 10 a.m. Dec. 3.

Bon Jovi will debut new songs from the band's upcoming album "What About Now," due out in the spring of 2013.

I'm sure 1980s smashes like “Livin’ on a Prayer," “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “You Give Love a Bad Name” will make the setlist, too.

In related news,  "Bon Jovi: Inside Out" will be screened 8 p.m. Tuesday at Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20, Sarasota.

In a first-ever interactive theater event for the band, Bon Jovi fans will have the opportunity to submit their questions for a Q&A with Bon Jovi, hosted by Allison Hagendorf of The CW's "The Next: Fame Is At Your Door Step." The Q&A will be broadcast live from Times Square and fans can submit questions now via Twitter using the hashtag #AskBonJovi or text in questions during the event. Featuring a hand-selected set list from their catalog of hits, "Bon Jovi: Inside Out" includes performances from recent shows in London, New Jersey and New York.

Sarasota movie details. 

Read more here: http://events.bradenton.com/sarasota_fl/events/show/294316047-bon-jovi-inside-out#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

—Photo of Jon Bon Jovi by David Bergman//www.TourPhotographer.com

Taylor Swift has Tampa date for 'Red'

From the cover of Rolling Stone to Letterman, Taylor Swift is everywhere these days promoting her new album "Red" and, yes, its tour includes a local stop at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on April 20.

Tickets, $29.50-$84.50, go on sale 10 a.m. Nov. 16.

“I didn’t think I could be any more excited about my RED album, but then I start thinking about how I’m going to put the new show together for The RED Tour,” Swift said in a statement. “I have so many ideas about how to really bring this music to life, and I can’t wait to share the new show with all my fans!”

Singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, whose duet with Taylor, “Everything Has Changed,” from her "Red" album, has already reached the No. 1 on iTunes all-genre Top Songs chart, will be a special guest on all of the shows on the tour. 

Tickets will be available at the McDonald's Ticket Office at the Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, at Ticketmaster outlets and at Ticketmaster.com.

In related news, the country-pop super star will co-host the Grammy nominations television special.
Grammy officials say Swift will join LL Cool J as hosts of the Dec. 5 special, airing live on CBS from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. This is the first year the nominations special has been broadcast from Music City.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/10/29/4257581/taylor-swift-to-co-host-grammy.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

—Photo: This Oct. 23, 2012 file photo shows Taylor Swift performing on ABC’s "Good Morning America" in New York. INVISION — Photo by Charles Sykes

Muse to play Tampa Bay Times Forum

Prog rockers Muse announced an upcoming North American tour today that includes a date at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Feb. 23.

Dead Sara is scheduled to open.

Tickets for the show, presented by 97X, go on sale 10 a.m. Friday (Oct. 12). Tickets are priced at:  $32.25, $52.25 and $62.25.  Prices do not include facility fees or service charges.

UK-based trio Muse is touring in support of their sixth album, "The 2nd Law," which was released this week on Warner Bros. Records.

The group's last album, "The Resistance," reached No. 1 in 19 countries and won the Best Rock Album Grammy Award.

Information: 813-301.2500 or TampaBayTimesForum.com.

—Photo of Muse by Gavin Bond provided.

Pink announces Tampa stop for 'Truth About Love Tour'

Pop star Pink has announced that she will tour North America for the first time in four years, beginning Feb. 13. She has confirmed 25 dates with a stop at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Feb. 27. The tour  is in support of Pink's new album, "The Truth About Love."

Pink appeared on "The Today Show" this morning, "The View" this afternoon and will visit "John Stewart's The Daily Show" on Wednesday (Sept. 19).  Fans will have the opportunity to chat with Pink about her upcoming tour live today at noon Eastern. To register and participate in the web chat, fans should visit TheTruthAboutLoveTour.com.


Tickets will go on sale 10 a.m. Oct. 6 via Ticketmaster.com.
 
Citi presale info Citi cardmembers will also have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. local time through Citi's Private Pass Program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

—Photo Pink, left, and Carey Hart arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. INVISION — Photo by Matt Sayles

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/09/07/4189618/mtv-awards.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Lady Gaga has Tampa date in March

Lady Gaga has a another date in Tampa.

Live Nation Global Touring today announced details for the North American leg of the pop star's "Born This Way Ball World Tour," which includes a date at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on March 13, 2013.

Tickets for this show go on sale 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28.

"The Born This Way Ball" will continue in 2013 visiting 25 cities in North America including performances in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Toronto.  In this brand new tour, Gaga performs her latest album "Born This Way" as well as music from both "The Fame" and "The Fame Monster." "The Born This Way Ball" began on April 27 in Seoul.

"The Haus of Gaga and I have worked for months conceiving a spectacular stage,” said Lady Gaga in a statement. “'The Born This Way Ball' is an Electro-Metal Pop-Opera; the tale of the Beginning, the genesis of the Kingdom of Fame. How we were birthed and how we will die celebrating.”

Fans will have first access to ticket presales via LittleMonsters.com on Tuesday, Sept. 18. To receive an access code for this exclusive presale, sign up for free at LittleMonsters.com to RSVP.

Citi is the official credit card of the US leg of The Born This Way Ball. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning 10 a.m. Wed., Sept. 19 at through Citi's Private Pass Program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

"The Born This Way Ball" starring Lady Gaga is promoted world-wide by Live Nation Global Touring, and brought to you by Skype.

—Photo: Singer Lady Gaga arrives at a "Lady Gaga Fame" fragrance launch event at the Guggenheim Museum on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 in New York. The black tie masquerade event will feature a performance art piece by Lady Gaga, “Sleeping with Gaga.” The film for "Lady Gaga Fame", directed by Steven Klein, will also be unveiled during the evening. INVISION — Photo by Evan Agostini Read more here.

TONIGHT: Radiohead at Tampa Bay Times Forum

Art-rock heroes Radiohead return to Tampa in support of their acclaimed 2011 album “The King of Limbs.”

Of course, don’t expect the smash single “Creep” or even fan faves such as “Fake Plastic Trees,” “Karma Police” or “Everything in its Right Place.”

But if the performance is half as sonically and visually mind-blowing as the one I caught at the (then) Ford Amphitheatre in 2008 attendees should leave the Forum satisfied regardless if the setlist is bereft of  the band's classics.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29, Tampa Bay Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Tickets: $42.25 $66.50 Information: 813-287-8844 or www.ticketmaster.com.


—Publicity photo credit: Kevin Westenberg

Van Halen returning to Tampa; check out new single 'Tatoo'

The David Lee Roth version of Van Halen will return to the newly named Tampa Bay Times Forum on April 14.

Ticket prices are $46.75, $76.75 and $146.75 (not including facility fee or service charges). They go on sale 10 a.m. Sat., Feb. 11 at  at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Ticketmaster outlets and via www.Ticketmaster.com. To order tickets by phone call 800-745-3000.

The band has confirmed a total of 48 shows kicking off Feb. 18 in Louisville, Ky. including their Tampa stop. Kool and the Gang will join open.

Van Halen releases “A Different Kind Of Truth” on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

It's the band's first original studio album with singer Roth since the mega-seller “1984” came out nearly three decades ago.

I reviewed the first Roth/Van Halen reunion tour when it came through the Forum in 2008 and wrote: "Reunited hard rock heroes play nice but predictability proves boring." 

—Publicity photo of Van Halen taken during Feb. 1 performance at Henson Studios in Hollywood, Calif.

Here's the official video for Van Halen’s new single, “Tattoo.”

Van Halen - Tattoo from Van Halen on Vimeo.

UPDATED 12:45 p.m.: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to play Tampa

UPDATED 12:45 p.m. (via email from Tampa Bay Times Forum — note prices still not listed): Tickets for the show go on sale this Saturday, January 28 at 11 a.m. at the McDonald’s Ticket Office at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Ticketmaster outlets and at Ticketmaster.com. To order tickets by phone call 800.745.3000.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's "Wrecking Ball" World Tour has a date at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on March 23.

No prices have been announced yet but tickets go on sale Jan. 28, according to Springsteen's website.

It's the third stop of the tour, following the March 6 release of the album "Wrecking Ball," and only Florida date.

This will be the band's first tour since the death of sax man Clarence Clemons.
Springsteen recently released "We Take Care of Our Own," the first single off the upcoming album (watch official video below).

I wrote about it Sunday:

One of the few superstar artists left who still makes music that matters, Bruce Springsteen offers a powerful, nuanced slice of poetic rock ’n’ roll on his new single “We Take Care of Our Own.”

Propulsive drums push the fist-pumping melody.

Then there’s a chorus that could easily be mistaken for simple jingoism.

“Wherever this flag is flown,” Springsteen sings. “We take care of our own.”

It’s easy to get lost in the inviting mix of potent percussion, cutting modern guitar, somber keyboards and rich strings — but pay attention to the verses.

There’s a darkness on the edge of each line.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/01/22/v-print/3808230/bruce-springsteen-issues-potent.html#storylink=cpy

Read more.

—Publicity photo by Jo Lopez