Decisions, decisions: Music festivals compete in April

Music fans have some serious decision-making in front of them, as two of the Tama Bay area’s biggest three-day festivals are scheduled for the same three days in April.

St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park plays host to the Tampa Bay Blues Festival April 10-12, while the Gasparilla Music Festival lands at Meridian Fields in Tampa April 10-12.

Common to the St. Pete and Tampa events: Music all day on multiple stages, food and beverage opportunities and VIP experiences. Ticket prices are comparable, and both events offer single day and multiple day ticketing packages.

For fans, it’s all going to come down to the headlining performers. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Los Lobos, Taj Mahal, Jimmie Vaughan, Charlie Musselwhite, Samantha Fish and Tab Benoit are in the top tier of the Tampa Bay Blues Festival, which began right there in Vinoy Park, on the bayfront, in 1995.

The Gasparilla Music Festival, which began in 2011, is at a new site this year; Meridian Fields is between the Water Street Tampa District, the Channel District and Ybor City.

DJs, remix artists and producers Eli Sones and Matthew Halper (aka Two Friends) are Saturday night (April 11) Gasparilla headliners. Publicity photo.

Headliners include Mt. Joy, Shakey Graves, Two Friends, Jai Wolf, Gov’t Mule, Drive-By Truckers, Bryce Vine and Cimafunk.

The Tampa festival is produced by the nonprofit Gasparilla Music Foundation, which provides music instruments to children and supports local professional musicians.

For additional details and tickets:

Tampa Bay Blues Festival

Gasparilla Music Festival

All artists, dates and times are subject to change or cancellation.

Drive-By Truckers appear Sunday, April 12 at the Gasparilla Music Festival. Publicity photo.

Saturday, April 11 at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival: Kenny Wayne Shepherd.