It’s BAAACK! The three-day music extravaganza Gasparilla Music Festival will be rocking out downtown Tampa, Feb. 22-27, at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Kiley Garden. Whether you just hit it for one day or go all out for the Rock it Club 3-day VIP pass, you can’t miss with this year’s deep lineup of eclectic talent. Here are some exciting bands to watch out for.  

The Headliners

• Black Pumas: This Austin, TX, band’s brand of psychedelic soul has caught fire. 

• The Revivalists: The feel-good indie rock coming out of this eight-piece New Orleans band is sure to get the crowd dancing. 

• Trombone Shorty: Putting a modern twist on the traditional New Orleans sound, in the best possible way. 

• Band of Horses: Despite many band member changes throughout the years, this Seattle group continues to put out easy-to-love rock tunes. 

Perennial Favorites

• Mavis Staples: This gospel soul legend never fails to satisfy. 

• The Allman Betts Band: The classic Southern rock sound lives on through the sons of the original Allman Brothers. They may even play a few of their dads’ tunes. 

• Arrested Development: Super fun old-school hip-hop hits the spot.

Up-And-Comers

• Margo Price: She’s quickly becoming an icon of the new outlaw country movement.

• Kenzie Wheeler: “The Voice” Season 20 runner-up is flying high with his low-country crooning and signature mullet.  

• Vinny Virgo: This Tampa Bay local was named one of Tampa’s 50 Best Musicians and won Best Hip Hop Artist two years in a row from The Tampa Bay Times.

• Cinemafunk: Don’t miss this exciting young Cuban pop star.

• Parrotfish: This Tampa Bay band has a large local following and an eclectic genre-defying range of tunes. 

Check out more happenings around Tampa Bay on the Canopy at Citrus Park blog.