This season’s Tampa Bay concert preview ... feels a little bit like last season’s Tampa Bay concert preview.

Seriously: Elton John and Ariana Grande? Haven’t we already covered those guys?

No, as you probably heard, both postponed their extremely sold-out Amalie Arena concerts — John’s in November 2018, Grande’s in May — due to illness at the very last moment. They’re now both back on the books for November, which kind of makes our fall concert preview feel a bit like a rerun.

But there is quite a lot of good stuff still to come, starting with our cover girl Lizzo, who comes to Tampa on Sept. 10.

Take Post Malone. He may look like a dustball swept from the floor of the nincompoop factory, but has there ever been another artist like him?

Or Phil Collins. Once upon a time, he was the pop world’s blandest punch line. Now, just try scoring cheap seats to any of his rare comeback concerts.

From the familiar (Tony Bennett, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the Who) to the fresh and freaky-deaky (Young Thug, Megan Thee Stallion, Orville Peck), here’s a look at 68 of the best concerts coming to town this fall.

SEPTEMBER

Chris Young (Sept. 13, MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre): Country music’s got a lot of Chrises (Stapleton, Cagle, Rice), but this multiple ACM and CMA nominee more than holds his own. Opening the show are LoCash and, um, Chris Janson. $18.75 and up. livenation.com.

Cat Power (Sept. 13, Ritz Ybor): The enigmatic cult singer-songwriter hasn’t performed in Tampa Bay since 2007, so her fans should turn out in force. $31 and up. ritzybor.com.

Cat Power will perform at the Ritz Ybor in Tampa on Sept. 13, 2019. [ Courtesy of Eliot Lee Hazel ]

Freestyle Explosion (Sept. 14, Yuengling Center): Stevie B! Expose! Lisa Lisa! Shannon! The hits keep coming in the annual return of this ’80s pop nostalgiafest. $35.50 and up. yuenglingcenter.com.

St. Paul and the Broken Bones (Sept. 14, Coliseum): Tampa community radio station WMNF-88.5 FM is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a show by the electrifying neo-soul combo, who will bring some Muscle Shoals muscle to a beautiful and under-utilized venue. $32 and up. wmnf.org.

Pup (Sept. 17, Orpheum): Already beloved by the heart-on-their-sleeve punk set, the Canadian rockers this year released Morbid Stuff, which has fast turned out to be one of their most beloved albums. $20 and up. theorpheum.com.

Bad Religion (Sept. 18, Jannus Live): Nearly 40 years after founding, the influential SoCal group remains one of punk’s brainiest and most influential. And their scathing new album Age of Unreason is as good a protest record as they’ve made. $29.50 and up. jannuslive.com.

Dominic Fike (Sept. 18, Orpheum): The fast-rising Naples rapper has a major-label deal, crossover hit in 3 Nights, and almost as many haters as fans. This time next year, he could be a name everyone knows. $30 and up. theorpheum.com.

Lee Brice (Sept. 20, Dallas Bull): The Love Like Crazy and I Don’t Dance singer has one of the biggest voices in country music, so it’ll be something to see how it sounds in a club like the Dallas Bull. $30 and up. dallasbull.com.

Bucs Beach Bash (Sept. 21, TradeWinds Island Resorts): A year ago, who would’ve thought much of the words “...and your headliner, Billy Ray Cyrus”? One record-setting Old Town Road remix later, Mr. Achy Breaky Heart is no longer a one-hit wonder. Best of all, this NFL-backed concert on the beach is free to all. Parmalee also performs. buccaneers.com.

Billy Ray Cyrus performs at HOT 97 Summer Jam 2019 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, June 2, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. [ SCOTT ROTH | Scott Roth/Invision/AP ]

Disturbed (Sept. 21, Amalie Arena): Five straight No. 1 albums are all the proof you need that Disturbed is one of this century’s biggest hard rock acts. People just can’t stop getting down with the sickness. In This Moment opens. $29.75 and up. amaliearena.com.

The Who (Sept. 22, Amalie Arena): How many farewell tours can the Who go on? Thankfully, this isn’t one of them. It’s a symphonic tour, featuring an orchestra backing Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey on classics like Baba O’Riley and Pinball Wizard. Reignwolf opens. $49.50 and up. amaliearena.com.

Roger Daltrey, left, and Pete Townshend of the Who last performed in Tampa on April 15, 2015. [ ROGER DALTREY, LEFT, AND PETE TOWNSHEND, THE ONLY TWO REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE WHO PERFORM ED APRIL 15, 2015 IN TAMPA. (CHRIS URSO | TIMES ]

Future and Meek Mill (Sept. 23, MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre): Future’s a star, and so is Meek Mill (making his first local appearance since 2015), but the stars of the shows are undercards Mustard, YG and especially Houston upstart Megan Thee Stallion, who coined maybe the buzzphrase of the year with her single Hot Girl Summer. $35 and up. livenation.com.

It was 50 Years Ago Today (Sept. 24, Ruth Eckerd Hall): Fifty-one, but who’s counting? Todd Rundgren, Christopher Cross, Micky Dolenz, Badfinger’s Joey Molland and former Chicago singer Jason Scheff will perform selections from the Beatles’ “White Album” along with their own greatest hits. $43.75 and up. rutheckerdhall.com.

Orville Peck (Sept. 25, Crowbar): A masked, gay cowboy who makes dark Western and Americana music dramatic enough for a David Lynch movie? No wonder his shows are sold out all over, including in Ybor City. axs.com.

Orville Peck will perform at Crowbar in Tampa on Sept. 25, 2019. [ CARLOS SANTOLALLA | Carlos Santolalla ]

Phil Collins (Sept. 26, Amalie Arena): One of the best-selling artists of all time announced his retirement more than a decade ago — only to decide, according to the name of his latest tour, that he’s Still Not Dead Yet. Tampa fans who assumed they’d never see him again are over the moon, and resale seats on the floor have been listed for as high as $3,000 apiece. Sold out. amaliearena.com.

Phil Collins performs in concert during his "Not Dead Yet Tour" at The Wells Fargo Center on Oct. 8, 2018, in Philadelphia. [ OWEN SWEENEY | Invision/AP ]

Deep Purple (Sept. 27, Mahaffey Theater): Is that Smoke on the Water near the St. Petersbug waterfront? No, it’s just hard rock legends Deep Purple, returning to Tampa Bay for the first time since their 2016 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sold out. themahaffey.com.

Brantley Gilbert (Sept. 28, MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre): Bottoms Up to this Georgia country roughneck, who keeps packing 'em in, tour after tour. Michael Ray and Lindsay Ell open. $36.25 and up. livenation.com.

Tyler, the Creator (Sept. 28, Yuengling Center): The odd Odd Future rapper-producer has glowed right up since his early outsider days, earning his first No. 1 album this year in Igor — and topping a much-hyped, guest-heavy album by DJ Khaled in the process. Score one for the weirdos. $35.75 and up. yuenglingcenter.com.

Tyler, the Creator will perform at the Yuengling Center in Tampa on Sept. 28, 2019. [ Courtesy of Sam Rock ]

Grandson (Sept. 29, Orpheum): Like Twenty One Pilots, this angsty young alt-pop pup already has a fan base as passionate as his issue-based lyrics, and this year he got his first alternative hit in Apologize. One to watch. nothing,nowhere. opens. $22.50 and up. theorpheum.com.

Zara Larsson (Sept. 30, Ritz Ybor): While you may have heard her singles Lush Life or Never Forget You, the Swedish singer is still a bigger star around the world than in America. Which means her show at the relatively intimate Ritz might feel larger than life. $24.50 and up. ritzybor.com.

Zara Larsson will perform at the Ritz Ybor in Tampa on Sept. 30, 2019. [ KATIA TEMKIN | Katia Temkin ]

OCTOBER

Keith Urban (Oct. 4, Hard Rock Event Center): Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is nearing the end of a $720 million expansion, a key part of which is the new 1,500-to-1,800-capacity Hard Rock Event Center. Headlining the grand opening weekend is Urban, a true Nashville A-lister. Sold out. seminolehardrocktampa.com.

RELATED: Tampa’s Hard Rock hotel unveils shiny new toy: Elvis Presley’s 24-karat gold piano

Twenty One Pilots (Oct. 9, Amalie Arena): The oddball alt-pop duo has long had a special place in their hearts for Tampa Bay. How soft? This’ll be their second stop at Amalie Arena in less than a year. $55.75 and up. amaliearena.com.

Twenty One Pilots performed at Amalie Arena in Tampa on Nov. 3, 2018. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times (2018) ]

Smokey Robinson (Oct. 10, Hard Rock Event Center): Did you miss out on tickets to see Keith Urban, well, you’re not going to see this Motown legend in Tampa, either, as his show also sold out quickly. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see who comes next. seminolehardrocktampa.com.

Chris Stapleton (Oct. 11, MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre): Can any country artist hold a candle to Stapleton’s whiskey-fueled fire? Maybe the rough 'n' rowdy Brothers Osborne, who join him on this bill, along with Kendell Marvel. Sold out. livenation.com.

Nahko and Medicine for the People (Oct. 11, Jannus Live): The world roots music collective put smiles on the faces of tens of thousands of festival fans each year. Jannus Live will barely be able to contain them. $32.50 and up. jannuslive.com.

Taking Back Sunday (Oct. 13-14, Jannus Live): To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the emo favorites will, over the course of two nights, play three albums in full — Tell All Your Friends, Where You Want to Be and Louder Now — as well as other hits. Don’t say they never gave you anything. $37 and up per night. jannuslive.com.

For King and Country (Oct. 13, Amalie Arena): The Christian pop superstars are used to selling out huge venues in Tampa Bay. This time around, they’re going with an ambitious, expansive stage production designed to resemble a ship. Neat, huh? $20 and up. amaliearena.com.

Chance the Rapper (Oct. 14, Amalie Arena): It feels weird to call The Big Day Chance’s debut album — it’s been six years since his seminal mixtape Acid Rap -- but the Chicago superstar has never liked playing by everyone else’s rules. He’s still an incandescent live performer, though. $55.75 and up. amaliearena.com.

Chance The Rapper performs at the Surf Stage during 2017 Hangout Music Festival on May 21, 2017 in Gulf Shores, Ala. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Hangout Music Festival)

Clearwater Jazz Holiday (Oct. 17-20, Coachman Park): Alison Krauss, Chicago, Boyz II Men and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue are among the headliners of this year’s event, one of Tampa Bay’s longest-running festivals. $20 and up per day, multi-day passes available. clearwaterjazz.com.

Young Thug and Machine Gun Kelly (Oct. 18, Yuengling Center): MGK is a big name who starred in the Motley Crue biopic The Dirt, but it’s Thugger who has the ear of everyone from Gucci Mane to Camila Cabello to Coldplay. This spring, the spacey Atlanta rapper won a Grammy for Song of the Year for co-writing Childish Gambino’s This Is America. YBN Nahmir opens. $16.25 and up. yuenglingcenter.com.

Young Thug performed at Amalie Arena in Tampa on Aug. 11, 2018. [ JAY CRIDLIN | Tampa Bay Times ]

Illenium (Oct. 19, Yuengling Center): Autumn’s most ambitious EDM concert comes courtesy of this Denver producer, who delivered one of the most popular main stage sets at this year’s Sunset Music Festival. Expect lots lasers and big, arena-sized feels. $39.50 and up. yuenglingcenter.com.

RELATED: Review: Zedd, Illenium turn up the heat on Day 1 of Tampa’s Sunset Music Festival

Tampa Pig Jig (Oct. 19, Curtis Hixon Park): Country acts Jake Owen and Lanco, alt-rockers Dr. Dog and a whole lot of good barbecue lead this annual fundraiser for kidney disease, which seems to get bigger every year. $25 and up. tampapigjig.com.

ZZ Top (Oct. 19, MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre): The hirsute Texas trio are marking their 50th anniversary with a tour featuring openers Cheap Trick. Ah-haw, haw, haw, haw. $29.50 and up. livenation.com.

Zac Brown Band (Oct. 20, MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre): Just as fun and furry as ZZ Top are Zac and company, who will return to town shortly after dropping their new album The Owl. Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real open. $40 and up. livenation.com.

Bishop Briggs (Oct. 23, Jannus Live): An artist to watch for a couple of years now, the lively performer is aiming for alt-rock stardom with the empowering future jock jam Champion. Watch out. $27.50 and up. jannuslive.com.

Post Malone (Oct. 24, Amalie Arena): Every so often, an artist just finds himself in the zone. Right now, the face-tatted, frizzy-haired Texas goofball known as Post Malone is that guy. From Congratulations to Better Now to Rockstar to Psycho to Wow to Sunflower (featuring his fall tourmate Swae Lee), almost every song Postie drops just can’t seem to miss. $79.75 and up. amaliearena.com.

Post Malone performs a medley at the 61st annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. [ MATT SAYLES | Invision/AP ]

Chainsmokers and 5 Seconds of Summer (Oct. 25, Amalie Arena): It’s been a minute since the mid-2010s peaks of the DJ duo and Australian boy-rock band, but between them, they still have enough hits (Closer, Youngblood) to fill an arena. $25.75 and up. amaliearena.com.

Bring Me the Horizon (Oct. 28, Cuban Club): The incendiary English metalcore act brings another one with Florida roots (Sleeping With Sirens) plus a postmodern pop singer (Poppy) to an unusual venue in the Cuban Club. Definitely worth a look. $39.50 and up. axs.com.

NOVEMBER

Downtown St. Petersburg Songwriters Festival (Nov. 1-3): Plenty of people will be watching this inaugural event, which promises intimate songwriter concerts in venues across St. Pete. The lineup has rolled out slowly, with Matisyahu, Warren Brothers and John Ford Coley among the performers announced thus far. Most shows will be free, with a few planning to sell tickets. dtspsongwritersfestival.com.

Old Dominion (Nov. 1, Yuengling Center): It didn’t take long for this Virginia quintet, the Academy of Country Music’s two-time reigning vocal group of the year, to become one of the most popular country bands in the country, jumping up to arenas thanks to their rocklike live shows and hit singles like Written in the Sand. $35 and up. yuenglingcenter.com.

Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly (Nov. 3, Ruth Eckerd Hall): Not the real guys, of course, but their holograms. If you missed out on Orbison’s hologram show last year — the first of its kind in Tampa Bay — this one should double your nostalgic pleasure. $43.25 and up. rutheckerdhall.com.

RELATED: In Clearwater, a historic hologram brings Roy Orbison back to life

Elton John (Nov. 4, Amalie Arena): Nearly two years after the show was first announced, Sir Elton will finally, finally make what he’s calling his final appearance in Tampa. Now that we’ve all had a chance to see Rocketman, we have a better idea of how difficult his yellow brick road has been. Bring tissues. Sold out. amaliearena.com.

Elton John performs onstage during his 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' final tour at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 8, 2018 in New York. He had to postpone his Tampa and Orlando shows in November 2018 due to illness. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Stiff Little Fingers (Nov. 5, Orpheum): The influential Irish outfit was right there alongside the Clash, the Sex Pistols and the Buzzcocks at the start of the punk movement. And now they’re here, playing for you. It’s living history! $25 and up. theorpheum.com.

Justin Hayward (Nov. 5, Bilheimer Capitol Theatre): The Moody Blues’ moodiest voice returns to the Cap, a venue where he once recorded a solo DVD, so it should stir up some nostalgic memories. So should songs like Nights in White Satin. $39 and up. rutheckerdhall.com.

Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls (Nov. 6, Palladium): The thoughtful English songwriter and electric live performer went woke this year, releasing an album called No Man’s Land that’s all about influential women, from Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Christa McAuliffe. $38 and up. mypalladium.org.

Alice Cooper (Nov. 7, Ruth Eckerd Hall): One of the great American treasures, the outlandish shock-rock ringmaster is worth catching live at least once in your life. Just try not to pump your fist to No More Mr. Nice Guy or School’s Out. $51.25 and up. rutheckerdhall.com.

Alice Cooper performs outside of FOX Studios on August 14, 2015 in New York City.

The Hu (Nov. 7, Orpheum): Oh, you know, just your typical Mongolian folk-metal band that craftssongs about Genghis Khan using traditional Mongolian throat singing and instruments like the morin khuur. Seriously, they’re fantastic. $18 and up. theorpheum.com.

AJR (Nov. 9, Yuengling Center): November brings not one but two chances to see this lovable alt-pop sibling trio in Tampa. Later on, they’ll play 97X Next Big Thing. But first, they get an arena all to themselves. $32.50 and up. yuenglingcenter.com.

Casting Crowns and Hillsong Worship (Nov. 10, Amalie Arena): It’ll feel like a megachurch inside Amalie Arena when two of the most sprawling worship groups around team up for a night of soul-stirring anthems. Elevation Worship opens. $20 and up. amaliearena.com.

Elvis Costello and the Imposters (Nov. 10, Mahaffey Theater): As genteel as he is brainy, Costello will bring his expansive songbook to town to play hits and an array of unexpected cuts. You never know what surprises each setlist will bring. $55 and up. themahaffey.com.

Elvis Costello and the Imposters will perform at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg on Nov. 10, 2019. [ Shore Fire Media ]

Third Eye Blind (Nov. 14, Jannus Live): Nineties alt-pop fans will never let them go, through this or any other (semi-charmed) life. They’ve outlived many of their contemporaries by continuing to write interesting songs, including the yearning new single Screamer. jannuslive.com.

Cursive and Cloud Nothings (Nov. 15, Crowbar): The indie rock club show of the season? Possibly. You’ll definitely leave with your head spinning at the musicianship. The Appleseed Cast opens. $20 and up. facebook.com/crowbarlive.

Doobie Brothers (Nov. 15, Mahaffey Theater): Lately they’ve been playing festivals and amphitheaters around town, so it’ll be neat to see the Doobs play some funky Dixieland in a stately setting like the Mahaffey. $59.50 and up. themahaffey.com.

Dwight Yoakam (Nov. 15, Ruth Eckerd Hall): The inimitable country twangster brings his low-brimmed hat and Bakersfield sound to town just before starting his own Las Vegas residency. So it should sound as crisp and polished as possible. $43.25 and up. rutheckerdhall.com.

St. Pete Beach BikeFest (Nov. 20-24, TradeWinds Island Resorts): One again, the TradeWinds opens its beaches to the masses for this biker get-together, which includes free concerts by Bret Michaels, Charlie Daniels Band, Fuel, Soul Asylum and more. stpetebeachbikefest.com.

Fantasia performed at Funk Fest on Oct. 18, 2004 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. [ LUIS SANTANA | Tampa Bay Times ]

Fantasia (Nov. 23, Yuengling Center): Robin Thicke might get more headlines, but the headliner is modern soul queen Fantasia, for good reason. She’ll outshine Mr. Blurred Lines 10 times out of 10 on this bill. Tank and the Bonfyre also open. $54.75 and up. yuenglingcenter.com.

Ariana Grande (Nov. 24, Amalie Arena): Those tickets? Hope you got 'em, because the 7 Rings and Thank U, Next singer — arguably the most relevant singer in the pop-o-sphere — is still a top draw, even after her postponement in May. Normani and Social House open. Sold out. amaliearena.com.

RELATED: 10 steps to ‘7 Rings’: How Ariana Grande became the most relevant pop star on earth

Ariana Grande performs at Wango Tango at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday, June 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. [ CHRIS PIZZELLO | Invision ]

97X Next Big Thing (Nov. 24, MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre): One of the world’s best young alternative bands, the 1975, headlines for the second time in four years, alongside ARJ, the Revivalists, Judah and the Lion, Silversun Pickups and more. $35 and up. 97xonline.com.

Matthew Healy of the band The 1975 performs at the 2019 Governors Ball Music Festival at Randall's Island Park on Saturday, June 1, 2019, in New York. [ Invision ]

Cannibal Corpse (Nov. 27, Orpheum): After spending part of the summer on Slayer’s farewell tour, the brutal death metal lords ease into the holidays with a hometown show on Thanksgiving eve. Bring grandma! $27 and up. theorpheum.com.

Incubus (Nov. 30, Mahaffey Theater): Usually when the band decides to celebrate an anniversary of a beloved album, the tours get bigger. Not so with Incubus, who are marking 20 years of Make Yourself, featuring the hits Drive, Pardon Me and Stellar. Usually they headline amphitheaters; this time they’re playing a theater. Not surprisingly, the show quickly sold out. themahaffey.com.

Brian Setzer Orchestra (Nov. 30, Ruth Eckerd Hall): The king of swing always gets extra-jolly on one of the shiniest, most tinsel-filled holiday tours around. He’ll throw in some Stray Cats and solo hits, too. $53.25 and up. rutheckerdhall.com.

DECEMBER

93.3-FLZ Jingle Ball (Dec. 1, Amalie Arena): We don’t know the headliners, so go ahead and start guessing. Camila Cabello? Billie Eilish? Lil Nas X?!?! At least the station’s shared the date and venue, so you can mark it in your iCal.

Tony Bennett (Dec. 5, Mahaffey Theater): Just try to wrap your mind around the fact that the iconic crooner is 93 years old. When you do, go see him perform, and have your mind blown once again. $70 and up. themahaffey.com.

Tony Bennett, 93, will perform at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg on Dec. 5, 2019. Photo by Larry Busacca. [ Courtesy of Larry Busacca ]

John Prine (Dec. 7, Ruth Eckerd Hall): The part-time Gulfport resident is in the middle of a career renaissance with last year’s The Tree of Forgiveness, his first original album in 13 years. Interestingly, his last two trips to Ruth Eckerd Hall have featured surprise appearances by Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson. Who might show up this time around? $77 and up. rutheckerdhall.com.

Bad Bunny (Dec. 8, Amalie Arena): The Puerto Rican trap and reggaeton star broke through en ingles on Cardi B’s I Like It, then followed that with Oasis, his collaborative summer album with J Balvin. He’s finally getting the local stage he deserves. $61 and up. amaliearena.com.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Dec. 15, Amalie Arena): You can’t stop TSO — and why would anyone but Scrooge himself want to? They’ll return to Tampa, their creative base, for two shows just before Christmas. $55.75 and up (on sale Sept. 13). amaliearena.com.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is bringing an updated presentation of "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve." on Dec. 17. (Times file)

Isley Brothers (Dec. 19, Mahaffey Theater): Fifty-year anniversaries? Pshaw. The Isley Brothers released Shout 60 years ago, and it hasn’t stopped rocking weddings ever since. $55 and up. themahaffey.com.

Reverend Horton Heat (Dec. 21, Jannus Live): Well, look what the good Reverend dragged in this Christmas: A bunch of his punk and rockabilly buddies, including the Voodoo Glow Skulls, Dave Alvin and the 5678′s, for his annual Horton’s Holiday Hayride tour. Should be merry. $27.50 and up. jannuslive.com.



























