BRADENTON — It's another weekend, and you know what that means. If you guessed another great lineup of local, talented musicians in Manatee, Sarasota, and surrounding counties, you would be correct. Check out The Bradenton Times Weekend Sounds to see what bands you can catch at your favorite venues.
Jah Movement
Bridge Tender Inn
Friday - 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The winner of Manasota Honors 2021 Musical Artist of the Year, reggae band Jah Movement features a glorifying sound where individual talents of each member come together. Highlighting the talented ensemble is hometown hero and vocalist extraordinaire Shantel Norman. Adding their own touch of R&B, soul and funk to some of the best live reggae music, Jah Movement has won the hearts of many across the Suncoast and creates a show that can’t be missed. No cover.
About the venue:
Established 30 years ago, Bridge Tender Inn (BTI) is Bradenton’s favorite sports bar and grille to eat, drink, and socialize while watching a televised sports event. You can chug beers, eat lip-smacking food, enjoy live music, and make great memories in a comfy, laid-back setting.
This Packer bar is owned by Fred Bartizal and has a staff of 50+ veteran servers who love to offer the best drink-and-dine experience to their guests. The general manager, Sue, has been here for 25+ years and the assistant manager, Shannon, has been here for 10+ years. They’re the ones that oversee making that experience happen!
Undercover Rasta
Birdrock Taco Shack
Friday - 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Undercover Rasta composes and performs a rich mixture of soul, funk, pop and rock that is mostly rooted in Reggae that sometimes have the sensibility of Lovers Rock; the edgy rawness of Punk; the smooth feel of Latin Jazz; the joy and happiness of Funk; and the thoughtfulness of Roots & Culture.
No cover.
About the venue:
Located in Bradenton Florida's Village of the Arts, Birdrock Taco Shack is not your average taco joint, but a unique funky-fun taco spot and live music venue. Owner and chef David Shiplett (who also owns the popular Cottonmouth South Soul Kitchen) doesn't serve up just any tacos. Dave has worked as a Chef in San Francisco, San Diego, Sarasota, and now Bradenton. Dine inside the eclectic artsy shack or outdoors on the porch and back patio. Great food, cool people... and TACOS! 1213 13th Avenue West, Bradenton.
Memphis Rub Band
Cottonmouth
Friday - 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Memphis Rub Band is a 4-piece band from the Sarasota/Bradenton area performing a blend of blues, rock, funk, and R&B. Starring Gary Drouin on guitar, Scott Matzke on bass and vocals, Dan Ryan on keys, and David Wells on drums/vocals, they perform both covers and original music. In 2018, Memphis Rub released their first album, ""Taste,"" and several tracks from the album have been played on area radio stations WMNF and WSLR, including ""Red Tide Blues.""
No cover.
About the venue:
Cottonmouth - Bradenton Florida’s music venue serving southern soul cuisine and live music on our beautiful patio in the Village of the Arts. Dave Shiplett and crew will to serve you and give you an evening you will long remember with seating inside and outside and art from local artists on display. Cottonmouth is the place to hang and feed your soul.
RJ Howson & Friends
Blue Marlin AMI
Friday - 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fire branded in the Chicago blues circuit, roots rocker and bluesman RJ Howson picked up his skillful guitar chops performing and sharing the stage with blues icons and fellow musicians at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Rosa's Lounge, Kingston Mines, BLUES on Halstead and many other clubs in the Windy City and playing countless shows all over the midwest. RJ continues to be steeped in the southern stews since moving to Florida with openers for Butch Trucks & the Freight Train Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Molly Hatchet, Buddy Guy and a host of legendary musicians.
Having played music since being a child, RJ has played everything from Chicago Blues to Funk, Soul, Rock, Gospel, Country, Salsa and World Music. "My goal is to use music to show that the roots of all people are the same and to play it forward while paying tribute to the past and my mentors". No cover.
About the venue:
Blue Marlin's cuisine focuses on daily fresh fish brought in directly from the Cortez fishing fleet.
Daily, local fish selections not only provides our restaurant with the freshest possible fish, but also gives us the ability to offer daily specials with that day’s catch.
Although the focus of the menu at Blue Marlin Seafood is fish, we also offer a variety of dishes including steaks, chicken & other landside features. There is something on the menu for everyone at every price point and they offer children’s meals too on the “Mini Marlins” menu.
Zack Pomerleau
Bradenton Market
Saturday - 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Zack Pomerleau is a Maine born multi-instrumentalist blues musician based in Bradenton, Florida. He is currently the full-time drummer and harmonica player for award-winning band Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones. As of 2023, he has toured internationally with the band, been nominated with the band for Blues Blast Band of the Year (2019), and has appeared on the band's latest album "Groovin' at Groove Now" on the Endless Blues label featuring Terry Hanck, Sax Gordon, and Bill Heid.
Outside of his band work, he plays solo around the Tampa Bay area. His solo act consists of playing electric guitar, harmonica, vocals, and foot percussion while playing classic blues and originals. No cover.
About the venue:
Welcome to the Bradenton Market, a place where the community meets each week to enjoy fresh produce, local art, music, and free family activities on Old Main Street.
Singular Sonic
Fiorelli Winery & Vineyard
Saturday - 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
A truly multi-talented solo artist, Singular Sonic naturally takes the crowd on a joyful ride hitting all of your favorite tunes of the last few decades… You simply won’t be able to resist singing along and even jumping out of your seat to dance! Relying merely on vocals, a soulful “high-vibin’ “presence and his faithful guitar, which may include Loop and Harmony pedals or even backing tracks… In short, this multi-faceted performer (drums, bass or piano anyone?) offers up all of the entertainment and musical talent you need to decidedly render your very special event a "Singular" one.
No cover.
About the venue:
Fiorelli winery was started with humble beginnings in 1998, now more than 20 years later we are happy to continue sharing our love of wine with our guests who we consider a part of our family!
Aside from making wine, we offer wine tastings as well as private tours. We also host a wide range of private events such as weddings, birthday parties, corporate gatherings and so much more. If you can dream it, we can host it.
The Blues Pig
Tamiami Tap
Saturday - 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
The BLUES PIG Band has been playing classic blues tunes from Chicago, Texas, and New Orleans since 1997.
The BLUES PIG Band first came on to the local music scene in the Sarasota/Bradenton area of Florida in 1997. Many players have come and gone, but Sizzlin’ Steve (lead guitar and vocals) has kept BLUES PIG going, traveling up and down the West Coast of Florida. The current line up features the return of long-time band member “Iron Mike” Kahl on bass guitar, Jeff Stern on drums, and Ms. Roberta Rodgers on back-up vocals and percussion!
Over the years, BLUES PIG has opened for national blues acts (Larry Garner, Lil’ Ed and Blues Imperials) at Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa, and have had repeated performances at Kojak’s Palmetto Bluesfest. Other notable performances were “Blues-a-Palooza” at Hernando Beach, the Venice Blues Crawl, and the Longboat Key Kiwanis Lawn Party (9 years running). BLUES PIG has a strong fan base on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, having had long-standing gigs at notorious clubs such as the old D. Coy Ducks and Tiny’s Lounge, as well as having multiple appearances at festivals on Bridge Street (Bradenton Beach), the Tango Lounge on St. Armand’s Circle (Sarasota) and the Longboat Key Historical Society’s “Old Fashioned Fish Fry”.
No cover.
About the venue:
Live Music Friday & Saturday Nights
Our mission here at Tamiami Tap is to be the neighborhood entertainment night spot for the whole family right here in Historic Laurel Park in Downtown Sarasota Florida.
The Modern Measure Band
Caddy's Bradenton
Sunday - 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The Modern Measure Band is a collective of some of the most sought-after freelance musicians based in the Tampa Bay Area. Their members can be seen and heard at local restaurants, bars, clubs, private events, and theaters throughout the Bay Area and the state of Florida, but that is not where their reach ends. Many of them perform on the national and international level, and tour the country performing in various venues from popular concert halls to big-city jazz clubs to elegant performing arts centers. Some have even been seen busking on the streets in foreign countries while expanding musical horizons.
As a result of all this experience, they excel in versatility. With the ability to cover everything from latin, to country, to Top 40 pop, to Motown, to jazz, to rock, they possess the rare ability to engage any audience, and keep the dance floor packed.
About the venue:
Located riverside, Caddy's Bradenton can be reached by foot from the nearby Riverwalk Park, by car, or by boat via the Manatee River. This pet-friendly tropical-themed venue has scenic riverside views, two large tiki huts, and an outdoor stage. They offer a full bar with local craft beers and an American food menu. 801 Riverside Drive East, Bradenton.
Nax Steel
Jiggs Landing Outpost
Sunday - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
From Bob Marley to Marvin Gaye and to the Jonas Brothers, Nax Steel can tastefully cover it all with the sophisticated sounds of his vibraphone playing smooth jazz, Latin or contemporary music, to the happy, joyful sounds of his steel drums playing reggae and calypso, Steel can make your event festive and memorable.
He plays restaurants, tiki bars, lodges, corporate events, weddings, bachelorette or girls night out parties. He can belly dance as well.
About the venue:
Jiggs Landing Outpost features a light menu, adult & soft beverages, snacks and Yoder's ice cream. Live music Thursdays through Sundays, 3 hours before sunset.
For more local music listings in Bradenton and throughout the area, check out GoTonight.com or download the GoTonight app.
Artists and local venues, you can now sign up and input your own calendar info directly into the Bradenton Times website. Click here to learn more.
