Tuesday's sold-out appearance by singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb at Seven C Music is the latest indicator that prestige artists are, increasingly, coming into St. Pete to perform at under-the-radar concert venues, often with little advance notice or publicity.
Loeb, whose “Stay (I Missed You)” was a No. 1 hit in the mid 1990s, has maintained a sizeable cult following, and just finished a national tour as the opening act for the rock band O.A.R.
This show, which was only announced last Friday, came about because of Loeb’s longtime friendship with Seven C owner David Hosler. Loeb and her husband had a quick business trip to Orlando planned, which was then augmented by a St. Pete excursion to visit Hosler’s guitar shop, which then became a visit-plus-concert.
Seven C’s live music area has a capacity of 80+.
Other alt-venues coming into their own are the Jack Kerouac House (with space for 50) and the city-owned Azalea Recreation Center (capacity approximately 130).
Singer/songwriter Steve Forbert played the intimate Kerouac House in May (and followed with an additional show at much, much larger Bayboro Brewing), and Nashville icon Jim Lauderdale stopped by the Kerouac House last month.
Here are a few more to look forward to, off the beaten path, with ticket links:
Sept. 23: French-Algerian acoustic guitar master Pierre Bensusan at the Azalea Recreation Center. Praised by peers including Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Vai and the late Michael Hedges, Bensusan was named Best World Music Guitarist by the readers of Guitar Player Magazine. This solo concert is at 7:30 p.m., at 1600 72nd Street N., and tickets are at this link.
Oct. 3: Janis Ian at the Catherine Hickman Theatre, Gulfport. It’s not clear if Ian (“Society’s Child,” “At Seventeen”) will actually perform at this event, but she will be present for a screening of the documentary film Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, and an audience Q&A. The event, at 2 p.m., is at 5501 27th Avenue S. Find tickets here.
Oct. 22: Acclaimed composer and acoustic guitarist Andrew York at the Museum of Fine Arts. The MFA’s Marly Music Room is frequently used for classical recitals, and occasionally jazz shows, but this appearance by the acclaimed former member of the (Grammy-winning) Los Angeles Guitar Quartet is a first. Find tickets for the 8 p.m. concert here.
Nov. 6: Singer/songwriter Ellis Paul at Seven C Music. The 2019 International Acoustic Music Awards Artist of the Year. Info and tickets.
Nov. 7: 19-year old Taiwanese ukulele prodigy Feng E at Azalea Recreation Center. Find info here, and tickets for the 7 p.m. show at this link.
Nov. 20: Americana guitar icon Doyle Dykes at Seven C Music. The veteran player (and Florida native) is considered one of the world’s finest fingerstyle guitarists. Info and tickets.
