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This week's best concerts: Journey, Def Leppard, Wiz Khalifa, Lindsey Stirling, more

 
Photo by Paul Brown Evanescence, with singer Amy Lee, will perform at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa on Aug. 17, 2018.
Photo by Paul Brown Evanescence, with singer Amy Lee, will perform at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa on Aug. 17, 2018.
Published Aug. 15, 2018

HALLWORTHY? Journey and Def Leppard

With Bon Jovi and Dire Straits off the board, Def Leppard, left, is now the bestselling rock band not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (The not-yet-eligible Coldplay and Linkin Park are bridges we'll cross down the road.) They've even outsold Journey, who made it in 2017. Sales aren't everything, and there's no rabid fan base out there raising a ruckus for the British hair-metal heroes. But when you go see Def Leppard and Journey on Saturday at Amalie Arena — and you definitely want to — try a little experiment: See how many hits by both bands you can sing. For me, the needle tilts toward Def Lep. Let's get that Hall campaign going! 7 p.m. Saturday. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Sold out. (813) 301-2500. amaliearena.com.

WHIZ KIDS: Wiz Khalifa and Rae Sremmurd

Poor Wiz Khalifa. Last year, the rapper saw his See You Again video surpassed by Luis Fonsi's Despacito as the most-viewed YouTube clip of all time. This summer, he's about to get upstaged by his tourmates Rae Sremmurd. The duo's new triple album SR3MM is way too long, but still pretty good, particularly the Swae Lee-led "middle" disc. It's definitely better than Khalifa's similarly overstuffed Rolling Papers 2, whose highest-charting single Hopeless Romantic features, you guessed it, Swae Lee. Can't blame Khalifa for hitching his wagon to Rae Sremmurd; Lee is one of the more interesting song craftsmen in hip-hop. But he shouldn't be shocked if the crowd tonight in Tampa is more amped for Rae Sremmurd, especially when they drop Black Beatles. With Lil Skies, O.T. Genasis. 6 p.m. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $29 and up. (813) 740-2446. livenation.com.

CLASSICAL ROCK: Lindsey Stirling and Evanescence

Here's a genius pairing: classical pop-rock-EDM fiddle phenomenon Lindsey Stirling, left, and classical Goth-rock ensemble Evanescence, teamed up and playing together at 7 p.m. Friday at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. Even better, they'll have a full orchestra backing them up, lending more bombast to their entertainingly theatrical live shows. Give whoever thought of pairing them up on tour a raise. $39.50 and up. (813) 740-2446. livenation.com.

HOMETOWN LOVE: Vibes of the Bay

With no Tropical Heatwave, Antiwarpt or Plan B Block Party on the scene, the door is open for a new local music festival to spring up and showcase the best of what Tampa Bay has to offer. Vibes of the Bay might be that festival. Produced by Tampa streaming and digital monetization company Symphonic Distribution, the daylong fest mixes rock acts (the Jackettes), singer-songwriters (Ari Chi, Mountain Holler, Betty Dawl, above) and rappers (Mike Mass, Jinx) with a host of electronic innovators (DEA and SAINT, Mouth Council, Sam E Hues, King Complex, Pixelsaur). It's a full spread of some of the region's most exciting sounds. 4 p.m. Saturday. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. Free with RSVP, $10 at the door. vibesofthebay2018.splashthat.com.

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BELOW THE RADAR: Cody Johnson

The fact that many country fans probably don't know Cody Johnson speaks to the power of the Nashville starmaking machine. But the fact that millions do know him speaks to his remarkable success as an indie artist. The former Texas prison guard has done things his way for years, racking up hundreds of millions of song streams and playing to hundreds of thousands of fans. Funny thing is, he's not some rebellious, outlaw outsider a la Sturgill Simpson or even Chris Stapleton — songs like With You I Am and Grass Stains are pure, traditionalist, radio-friendly country. There's no good reason he should be, as Billboard put it last year, "the best country singer you haven't heard yet." Thanks to a recent partnership with Warner Music Nashville, he may not stay unknown for long. Brandon Ray opens at 10 p.m. Friday. Dallas Bull, 3322 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $15 and up. (813) 987-2855. dallasbull.com.

CHICK MAGNET: Chick Corea

One of the benefits of having a legend living in your backyard is all the hometown shows they tend to play. Chick Corea, who lives near Clearwater, has booked another show in town, this one a solo piano gig at 8 p.m. Friday at the Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. It's always worth catching the prolific jazz fusion legend live, no matter what incarnation he plays in. But if you miss it, you'll probably have another opportunity soon enough. $35 and up. (727) 791-7400. atthecap.com