Mantis w/Subpirate/Leviathan/Bonesaw Um, yeah — the fact there’s an act on the bill called Bonesaw should be all you need. BONESAW! Unfortunately, those of you looking for SHREDDING METAL will be disappointed, as this is a dubstep show. Dubstep, as you know, is a form of electronic/groovecore that wants to be inaccessible and catchy at the same time, which physics tells us is impossible. Get it together, dubstep. Pick a lane, is what I’m saying. RELATED: There are 6,315 musical projects called Leviathan. Do better. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg) —SH
TUESDAY, JUNE 4
Big Boi w/Killer Mike Heftier half of ’90s/2000s hip-hop duo Outkast, Big Boi has made quite the name for himself following the dissolution of his former group. Although never quite reaching the massive popularity Outkast did, Big Boi debuted with the enjoyably weird and sonically decadent Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty back in 2010. His latest Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors follows suit with a more playful mood and a stacked guest list including Phantogram, Little Dragon, Wavves, Kelly Rowland, and Killer Mike, who’s opening for Big Boi. Mike’s unique brand of hard-hitting, conscious Southern rap has drawn acclaim through the years following his debut Monster back in 2003. (The Plaza Live, Orlando) —AS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5
The Postal Service Ready to feel old? It’s been 10 years since Give Up, “the album that’s everywhere,” was released. Hitting the road in support of that ancient gem with Jenny Lewis in tow to open and provide harmonies, the indie-electronica legends play a sold-out show at Orlando’s House of Blues. Tamborello and Gibbard’s hits still sound oddly like relevant releases as much as they are familiarly ingrained in our heads, the nearly overplayed singles still making guest appearances now and then to remind us of the band’s brief heyday and lasting influence. Expect a full house of sing-along and nostalgia. (Hard Rock Live, Orlando) —Deborah Ramos
ZZ Ward We all could’ve guessed that after the death of jazz and soul queen Amy Winehouse there'd be a handful of aspiring singer-songwriters attempting to follow in her musical footsteps. ZZ Ward stands out from the imitators with a unique and daring ambiance unmatched by others attempting to accomplish the same sound. The up-and-comer’s pizzazz is demonstrated by 2012 single “Put the Gun Down” from her debut Til the Casket Drops. ZZ Ward’s bluesy and bold vibe, paired with a classic raspiness in her voice, is one of a generation past and is almost impossible to resist tapping your feet to. (The Ritz, Ybor City) —MA
Taj Mahal Boasting a career that has spanned the better part of the last century, Taj Mahal has spent much of his life turning the blues and soul world on its head. He was a member of one of the first interracial bands to sign to a major label, he’s played with nearly every big name in the R&B and rock worlds (The Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy and Howlin’ Wolf to name a few), and he was among the first to incorporate Caribbean, West Indian, and Reggae styles into the blues. (Palladium Theater, Clearwater) —DF
Rajhi Gahler/Megajoos/Zulu Wave/The Mother Machine/Sun Signs Our very own Mojo Music and Books is quickly becoming a favorite stopover point for globetrotting DIY punks without a Tampa venue to call their own. Rajhi Gahler of Murfreesboro, Tenn., are the latest group of scuzzy delinquents to buzz their way through Mojo’s familiar racks. Alongside their King Khan-indebted brand of garage rock, they’re bringing along Megajoos, a similarly disheveled bass and drum duo also hailing from Tennessee. Our traveling Volunteers will be accompanied by Tampa’s art-punk favorites in Zulu Wave, so get to Mojo for a fair helping of fuzz pedals and bratty garage rock vibes. (Mojo Books & Music, Tampa) —CJ
King Django w/Brian Hill/John Decarlo/Johnny Cakes and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypso/Black and Tenn Roots music means more than just Americana, and King Django has achieved a well-deserved cult status by incorporating the seminal styles of multiple cultures into an entertaining persona and kick-ass musicianship. This entire bill celebrates the diversity of roots music with energy, evocation and entertainment. Read more about King Django in this week's music feature. (New World Brewery, Ybor City) —SH
CLICK HERE to see a complete rundown of shows taking place this week and in the coming weeks.