Weekend Sounds July 8-10

BRADENTON – It’s going to be another great weekend for live music in the Bradenton-Sarasota area. Check out The Bradenton Times Weekend Sounds to see what bands you can catch and where.

Biscuit Miller is an American electric blues bassist, singer, and songwriter. Biscuit has been touring extensively ever since his band, The Mix, won its first Blues Music Award in 2012. The Mix recorded and released Wishbone in 2016 and won a second BMA in 2017. Miller’s band is a sometimes-changing cast of players, but bassist and frontman Biscuit Miller is consistently known for his high-energy shows and a blazing million-dollar smile. He is a born entertainer and is at home on the stage where he connects with his audience through a fun and funky approach to the blues. Cover is $10.

About the Venue:

Located in Bradenton Village of the Arts, Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen has quickly become one of Bradenton, Florida’s more popular outdoor music venues. Music is hosted on their intimate 80-seat capacity patio garden, a perfect setting under the branches of towering live oaks in the heart of VOTA. Known for his eclectic southern dining, Chef Dave Shiplett puts his creative spin on southern classics serving up his brand of southern soul food in this 100-year-old cottage that doubles as an art gallery. The venue offers craft beer, wine, a list of creative hard ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages. 1114 12th Street West, Bradenton.

Dead Set Florida is a Tampa Bay-based band performing music of the Grateful Dead and The Jerry Garcia Band, as well as solo material from Bob Weir and Phil Lesh. The group was founded in 2017 by bassist and vocalist Christian Walker. Walker is joined by Paul Wolff (lead guitarist), Tucker Waud (keyboardist), Michael Garrie (rhythm guitar and vocals), Mike Garrie (drums and vocals), and Michael Pandiscio (rhythm guitar and vocals). Pandiscio is the band’s newest member, joining during the 2020 pandemic. A year later, the five-piece is complete and continuing its mission to keep the legacy of "the greatest musical presence of the 20th century" jamming, spinning, and dancing. No cover.

About the Venue:

Big Top Brewing Company is a Sarasota-based production brewery. Valuing their great town and its great history, they set out to add in a great local beer. A compliment to Sarasota’s historical associations with The Ringling Circus, performing arts, famous architecture, the best art and design schools, and world-renowned tourism, Big Top Brewing artistically crafts world-class beers, inspired by their hometown. Featuring brewing, tasting, BBQ, and live music from some of the area’s best performers. A great outdoor venue with an expansive beer garden and porch bar. 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota.

The Divebombers are, "Toe tappin' knee slappin' foot-stompin' good ol' American music." Members George Worthmore (Blues Hall of Fame inductee), Nat Langston (Sarasota's fingerpickin' Whiz-Kid), and Chad Clifford (Veteran Rock and Roll Bassist) perform music from the likes of George Jones, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Jerry Reed, Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, and Non-Fat Elvis. No cover.

About the Venue:

Located in Payne Park, downtown Sarasota, Cafe in the Park captures the spirit of a quintessential urban cafe terrace. It's the perfect place for a great coffee, a fresh sandwich, and live music. The family-friendly spot has menu selections of healthy cafŽ-style food, non-alcoholic beverages, beer, and wine, all served in a community park setting. Truly a great place to catch a live show. Please no outside food or drink. 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota.

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:

Island Time Bar and Grill is located on Anna Maria Island’s Bridge Street. Situated on the ground floor beneath the Bridge Street Bistro, Island Time Bar & Grill offers an open "no-walls" tropical indoor/outdoor beachside bar setting with welcoming gulf breezes. Their varied menu serves from their upstairs restaurant, Bridge Street Bistro, featuring fresh ingredients, surf-to-turf, and made-from-scratch recipes by chef Jimmy Lopatinski. Full bar, beachy cocktails, specialty, and classic margaritas, and cold beer!

Celtic Conundrum brings to the stage an exciting mix of musical and vocal virtuosity with foot-stomping energy! Their music is a distinctive brand of infectious, energizing, and just plain fun. The band's original music and arrangements of traditional tunes have earned Celtic Conundrum a reputation as being among the pioneers of American Celtic. No cover.

About the Venue:

Located in Bradenton off of east Manatee Avenue, 3 Keys Brewing is a family-friendly brewery with a full kitchen serving up gourmet-style pub fare. Offering an inviting social atmosphere and weekly list of entertainment, music, and food and drink specials. Enjoy their expansive front porch or take in the sounds of the beer garden with a beverage in hand... and bring your 4-legged friends! 2505 Manatee Ave East, Bradenton.

The Applebutter Express is a band with a national following, but their beginnings can be traced right back here to Bradenton, Florida. The group’s founding members, Shannon and Kyle Biss, met in 2004 while Kyle was working at a local record shop. In 2010, then-bass player Kyle picked up a ukulele with the intention of learning songs to sing and harmonize with girlfriend Shannon for fun. From there the pair moved on to live performances. In no time the eclectic, tuneful duo–now known as The Applebutter Express–was the talk of Tampa.

The band has grown to include members Zach Rogers (bass) in 2015, and the newest member Jason Baker (fiddle) in 2020. The group has performed numerous live shows since its beginnings and has entertained festival-goers at such popular events as Hulaween, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, and more. The self-described "ukulele funk" group’s song Hey My Brotha–a single from their project One For The Home Team–was featured in the Ron Howard film The Good Lie in 2015. No cover.

Folknharmony returns to Old Main with more folked-up jams. Dr. Zach Johnson (guitar/vocals), Nancy Gauvreau (guitar/vocals), and Beau Wilberding (Cajon percussion) have created a trio that’s musically astute, charming, choc-full of on-point harmonies, and always a good time. The trio's interpretations of popular covers offer uniqueness and renewal that will have listeners falling in love with their favorite songs all over again. There's a reason this band is quickly becoming 941's favorite folk'n trio. No cover.

About the Venue:

Located in Downtown Bradenton, McCabe's Irish Pub is one of Old Main Street’s must-stop watering holes. The venue provides an authentic atmosphere of the traditional Irish Pub-lic gathering place, with a wide selection of beer and spirits. The Irish-owned and operated neighborhood pub hosts live music that stays compatible with a pub environment intended to support community gathering and socializing. This venue does not serve food. 302 Old Main St, Bradenton.

"Country rock, island style." Singer-songwriter Eric Von is a Nashville recording artist, born and raised in Cortez, Florida. Von started playing guitar and writing music at just twelve years of age and was performing live by fourteen. Eric spent three years in Nashville, playing on Broadway, and writing and recording his second CD. His song, I Can't Help but Smile made it to number 64 on the Country Breakout Charts. In 2007, Von was named the Colgate Country Showdown winner for Central Florida, and advanced to secure the title of Colgate Country Showdown winner for the State of Florida that same year. In 2008 he was named the winner of Kenny Chesney’s Next Big Star of the Tampa Bay Area. $8 cover.

About the Venue:

Joyland Live is located on the Manatee/Sarasota county line off of Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota. The nightclub’s new location boasts a concert stage and sound system, 1800 square feet of dance floor, and live music 3 nights per week. Wednesday evenings are the venue’s blues nights, Fridays they host variety and/or dance bands, and Saturday nights feature country music performances. Serving local crafts on tap, a bottled beer selection, and a fully stocked liquor bar with depth in whiskeys and tequilas. Joyland’s menu features its own brand of "elevated bar fare," including gourmet burger selections. 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota.

Ship of Fools is a popular local Grateful Dead tribute band, formed in 2012 in Sarasota, Florida. The five-piece classic rock band also performs music by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Cliff, Van Morrisson, Chuck Berry, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, The Band, Talking Heads, Warren Zevon, and more. Their fans appreciate their soaring leads, driving rhythm, and tight harmonies. Ship of Fools performs improvisational rock and blues, blending folk, bluegrass, and reggae, into a dynamic mixed sound, and performs at various venues and festivals locally. A danceable staple for your weekend sounds.

About the Venue:

Since its opening in 2014, Motorworks Brewing has become one of the most awarded breweries in Florida, with over 22 national and international medals. With 20+ beers on draught, a full liquor bar, an expansive wine collection, and a rotating batch of seasonal and specialty brews available in the taproom, Motorworks is a great place to join friends for a fresh pint of beer or a cocktail. Their tree-canopied Beer Garden hosts a raised deck, games, an outdoor stage, ample patio seating, and room to dance. Food offerings from local food trucks. 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton, near the Village of the Arts.

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 as well as countless other venues across 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 other legendary musicians. Having played music beginning in his youth, RJ has played everything from Chicago Blues to funk, soul, rock, gospel, country, salsa, and World Music.

RJ is joined on stage by Mike Kach, keyboardist to Dickey Betts & Great Southern, drummer Steve Camilleri, and bassist Burt Engelsman. The four have performed together and separately with numerous other well-known musicians and bands throughout their notable professional careers. No cover.

Dirty Byrd is one of the area’s favorite party bands. The Sarasota-based jam band performs blues, country, R&B, funk, jazz, rock, southern rock, and more. Led by two seasoned local musicians, Brian Byrd (pedal steel guitar and lead vocals) and Thorson Moore (electric guitar and vocals) and joined by talented musicians Damon Owens (percussion/drums) and Andrew Glasgow (electric bass). The band's shows frequently include some of the area’s most talented musicians as guest performers, creating shows that are unique each time the band takes the stage. No cover.

About the Venue:

Founded in 2001, Gilligan’s Island Bar prides itself on serving quality food, cocktails, and great service. The venue hosts live music on their front deck, offers back patio seating, a tiki bar, and a fire pit for cooler nights. The flickering tiki torches, palm trees, and cool Gulf breezes are exactly what you have been looking for. Located on Siesta Key, 5253 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota.

Kettle of Fish has been performing in clubs, pubs, and venues across Manatee and Sarasota, as well as across Florida and the U.S., for years. Lead singer, guitarist, and band founder Dana Lawrence is one of the area’s favorite singer-songwriters. Kettle of Fish is a band with an ever-fluid rotation of talented local and guest musicians.

Over their years of performing, Kettle of Fish has shared the stage with numerous bands and musicians including Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Roger Waters’ Band, Devon Allman, Pat Travers, Damon Fowler, and Dickey Betts. They have also played opening performances for artists such as Eddie Money, Molly Hatchet, Elvin Bishop, Tommy Castro, Trombone Shorty, the Marshall Tucker Band, Jimmy Buffett (at the famous Blue Heaven in Key West), and many more. Kettle of Fish delivers a sound that is a rootsy "blues rock with soul" that works to bring together soulful blues with the energy of rock n’ roll. No cover.