Top 5 concerts this week in Sarasota, Bradenton, Englewood, Palmetto, Punta Gorda

With the start of fall next weekend and snowbirds soon to return to Sarasota-Manatee, we're nearly out of what's typically the slowest time of year here. Yet even now, there are still plenty of things to do locally. This week's concert picks alone span Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties and the cities of Sarasota, Bradenton, Englewood, Palmetto and Punta Gorda.

Some musicians will even play shows in multiple counties this week, including a Blues Music Award-nominated singer-songwriter and a band up for four awards this year at the separate Blues Blast Music Awards. Other notable concerts include one of our area's top Irish pubs throwing a Halfway to St. Patrick's Day bash featuring live music, and a showcase of several up-and-coming musical acts from the other side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.

More fun this weekend: Halfway to St. Patrick's Day party and more fun things to do near Sarasota this weekend

50+ fun things to do in September in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties

Ticket Newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday

Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones

Bradenton blues group Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones will play both Sarasota and Manatee counties this weekend, first at Snook's Bayside in Englewood, then Riviera Dunes Dockside in Palmetto. The shows take place just a week before this year's Blues Blast Music Awards ceremony, where they're up for Blues Band (which they also were nominated for in 2019), Bass Guitarist of the Year, Live Blues Album, and Historical or Vintage Recording. The group earned the latter two nominations respectively for this year's live album "Groovin' at Groove Now!" recorded in Basel, Switzerland, and the 20th anniversary reissue of their debut "Double Down." 6 p.m. Friday; Snook's Bayside Restaurant and Tiki Bar, 779 W. Wentworth St., Englewood; 941-475-3712; facebook.com/snooksbaysideenglewood; 6 p.m. Saturday; Riviera Dunes Dockside, 102 Riviera Dunes Way, Palmetto; 941-304-3689; rivieradunesdockside.com

Damon Fowler

Guitarist, singer-songwriter and former Anna Maria Island resident Damon Fowler will also play both Sarasota and Manatee counties this weekend, first at Bradenton's Birdrock Taco Shack (where he recently performed as part of its eighth anniversary celebration), then at Sarasota's Big Top Brewing Company (brewers of Fowler's IPA) for its Blues & Brews Sunday concert series. Fowler's latest studio album, 2021's "Alafia Moon," topped Billboard's blues album chart and earned a Blues Music Awards nomination for Blues Rock Album. Fowler followed that up with this year's live album "Live at the Palladium," recorded at the titular St. Petersburg venue. 7 p.m. Friday; Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton; $20 advance, $25 day of; 941-545-9966; facebook.com/birdrocktaco; 3 p.m. Sunday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com

Pilot Jonezz

Bradenton cafe and venue Oscura will welcome a lineup of up-and-coming bands from the other side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge at this show. Pilot Jonezz, a group from Tampa Bay whose sound blends genres such as alternative, punk and soul (they describe themselves as "the bastard love child of Funkadelic and Radiohead"), top the bill. They'll be joined by Tampa punk band Pet Lizard and indie/fuzz-rock group The Pilot Waves, as well as St. Petersburg alt-pop/rockers My Cat Umi. 7 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show Saturday; Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton; $5; 941-201-4950; oscura.live

Claire Vandiver Duo

Also set to play Birdrock Taco Shack this weekend will be Claire Vandiver. Born in Nashville and raised by parents who were both musicians (she regularly performs as an acoustic duo with her father, guitarist Chip Vandiver), the singer-songwriter now lives in Central Florida and last year released the EP "Even When It Hurts," showcasing her sound that draws from genres ranging from indie rock to modern pop. She released her latest single "Blue Moon" (not a cover of the standard of the same name) earlier this month. 7 p.m. Saturday; Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton; 941-545-9966; facebook.com/birdrocktaco

Halfway to St. Patrick's Day

Sunday marks the halfway point to St. Patrick's Day, and one of our area's best Irish pubs, Punta Gorda's Celtic Ray Public House, will celebrate with an all-day event featuring live music. Paul Duffy, the former owner of Sarasota's since-closed Irish Rover pub who once toured with The Commitments formed following the 1991 Irish film of the same name, should prove a fitting way to kick off the proceedings, playing from 2-5 p.m. He'll be followed by 13-year-old Punta Gorda blues-rock guitar prodigy Champ Jaxon, who in 2021 appeared on "Ellen" jamming with and receiving a guitar from guest host/country star Brad Paisley. Jaxon will perform 5-8 p.m. with his band. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; celticray.net

Looking for more Halfway to St. Patrick's Day festivities? The Shebeen Irish Pub & Kitchen at 6641 Midnight Pass Road on Siesta Key, sharing the same owner as the former Pub 32 in Sarasota, will hold its own celebration Sunday with live music including Prodigal Sons featuring Kettle of Fish's Dana Lawrence. Doors open at 2 p.m.

If you would like to be considered for this story, please submit your event to tinyurl.com/SubmitEventHeraldTribune at least 10 days before our Thursday publication date.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top concerts in Sarasota, Bradenton, Englewood, Palmetto, Punta Gorda