Top Sarasota Concerts This Week: Bradenton, Palmetto Highlights
SARASOTA, Florida — As August closes and September begins, Sarasota and Manatee counties are buzzing with live music events. From Mexican regional stars to local rockers and festivals, here are the top five concerts happening this week in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Palmetto.
1. Chris Anderson Band at Big Top Live
Sarasota-raised guitarist Chris Anderson, best known as a former member of Southern rock band The Outlaws, returns for a hometown show. Anderson’s solo album Old Friend featured a title track co-written with Warren Haynes that was later recorded by the Allman Brothers Band.
- When/Where: 7 p.m. Friday, Big Top Live, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota
- Tickets: Free general admission; $10 table seats; $15 VIP
2. Durango Fest at Robarts Arena
A celebration of Duranguense music featuring top names in the genre: Alacranes Musical, K-Paz de la Sierra, Grupo Montéz de Durango, Patrulla 81, and Conjunto Atardecer.
- When/Where: 7 p.m. Saturday, Robarts Arena, Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
- Tickets: $60
3. El Fantasma at Mosaic Arena
Regional Mexican music star El Fantasma headlines with support from Los Dos Carnales and Gerardo Díaz y su Gerarquía. El Fantasma was named part of the new wave of “Mexillennials” by Billboard and earned a Latin Grammy nomination for En El Camino.
- When/Where: 2 p.m. Saturday, Mosaic Arena, Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto
- Tickets: $89.27
4. Fast Life Music Festival at T4 KartPlex
This Palmetto festival brings Florida musicians together. Headliner Lennon Cripe performs his self-described “Gulf-pop,” joined by Bradenton native Dylan Cotrone, RuslanSilvr, Dylanisms, and Sarasota-by-way-of-Philadelphia rapper Slamchops.
- When/Where: 8 p.m. Saturday, T4 KartPlex, 10101 U.S. 41 N., Palmetto
- Tickets: $21.74
5. Persephone’s Choice at Oscura
Tampa-based rockers Persephone’s Choice, fresh off a slot at radio festival Next Big Thing, headline this Bradenton show. They’re joined by Atlanta’s Beau Anderson, Sarasota singer-songwriter Lesa Silvermore, and Tampa band TV Breakup Scene.
- When/Where: 7:30 p.m. Saturday (doors 7 p.m.), Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton
- Tickets: $10 advance, $15 day of
From regional Mexican headliners to local Gulf Coast talent, the Sarasota-Bradenton-Palmetto area is stacked with music options this week.
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