Ten big bay area concerts to look forward to

With such a robust concert calendar, the bay area is rarely quiet. Every weekend, every month, there are popular concerts – music and comedy – at venues in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

Here at the Catalyst we do our best to keep everyone informed of each weekend’s concert highlights (see “Weekend Spotlight,” published every Thursday). There is, however, an impressive lineup of what Ed Sullivan would call “really big shows” stretched out over the coming months. And tickets for these are already on sale.

As of today, here are 10 upcoming concerts to watch (and listen) out for.

Fred Armisen. Publicity photo.

April: Fred Armisen

The Saturday Night Live alum, part of the exemplary 2000s cast that included Bill Hader and Kristin Wiig, will be onstage at the Tampa Theatre April 4.

Armisen also created, wrote and co-starred in the much-loved TV series Portlandia (2011-2018). And he plays Uncle Fester on the current Netflix series Wednesday.

A talented rock and punk drummer, as well as a singer and songwriter, Armisen’s musician characters were among his funniest on SNL and the offbeat IFC Documentary Now! series (who can forget Armisen and Hader as the frontmen for legendary soft-rock band the Blue Jean Committee?)

His touring show is called Comedy for Musicians But Everyone is Welcome. Find tickets at this link.

June: Metallica

The still reigning kings of metal have two stops at Raymond James Stadium this summer. The first show, June 6, includes Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills as support act. Metallica’s back for another show – a totally different set of songs is promised – on June 8, with Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies. The stage is “in the round.”

Kinda makes you wonder what Lars and the guys will be doing June 7. Oh well. Tickets at this link (June 6) and this link (June 8).

April: Wilco

Jeff Tweedy and his beloved alt/country rock ‘n’ roll Americana band will play two sets April 27 at the Mahaffey Theater, with no opening act. The band’s most recent release is the EP Hot Sun Cool Shroud. Tickets at this link.

My Chemical Romance. Publicity photo.

September: My Chemical Romance

The emo-punk pioneers fronted by vocalist Gerard Way descend on Raymond James Stadium Sept. 13, with Evanescence. The set is includes a full performance of My Chemical Romance’s platinum-selling 2005 album The Black Parade. Tickets at this link.

May: AC/DC

Fifty-two years young, Australia’s iconic hard rock outfit returns, with vocalist (and Sarasota resident) Brian Johnson still out front, to barnstorm Raymond James Stadium May 16. The Pretty Reckless opens. Tickets at this link.

April: Alan Jackson

The country music mega-star insists he’s on his last tour: “Some of the best times are had right at last call, and this is one last call that you don’t want to miss!” he says on his website. The next-to-last show on this farewell tour (he’s playing exactly one concert, each in a different state, once a month from January to May) is April 26 at Amalie Arena. Tickets at this link.

April: Billy Strings

For the second consecutive year, Americana music’s most talked about multi-instrumentalists is doing a show at the Yuengling Center, on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus. The date is April 9; tickets at this link.

June: Nikki Glaser

Standup comic, Tom Brady-roaster and streaming special favorite (Someday You’ll Die) Glaser absolutely killed as host for the Jan. 5 Golden Globes Awards; her star is ascending even as we speak. On her “Alive and Unwell” tour, she’s doing four shows over two days (June 12 and 13) at the Mahaffey Theater. Tickets at this link.

June: Avril Lavigne

A 1990s pioneer in the development of female power-pop, Lavigne is circumnavigating the globe on “The Greatest Hits Tour,” which means fans at the Mid-Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre June 20 can look forward to the Canadian singer doing “Complicated,” “Sk8ter Boi,” “Girlfriend” and all the other energized, era-defining songs. Tickets at this link.

May: Country Thunder Festival

Three days (May 2-4) of high-cotton, high-energy contemporary country at Raymond James Stadium. With Riley Green, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, Jake Owen, Ella Langley, Clint Black, Dillon Carmichael and more. Tickets at this link.

Let’s sneak in one more. Tickets go on sale Jan. 29 for a Nine Inch Nails show Sept. 10 at Amalie Arena.