
May 1
Flogging Molly Thirteen years ago Celtic punk band Flogging Molly was born. The LA-based group melds traditional Irish instruments like a fiddle, mandolin and accordion with grinding guitars and pounding drums to create a sound unlike any other. If you haven’t seen their exceptional live show, this month you’ll get your chance. The band will be at the Florida Theatre on the 1st with Boston’s Big D and the Kids Table. Tickets: $25/advance, $30/day of show. Florida Theatre, 355-5661
May 4
ZZ Top Anyone with ‘Legs’ should run, not walk to the Times-Union Center on May 4th for ZZ Top’s big performance. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will have every ‘Sharp Dressed Man’ and ‘Girl in a T-Shirt’ doin’ the ‘Tube Snake Boogie’ all night long. Throw on your ‘Cheap Sunglasses’ and join the party! Tickets: $38.50- $78.50. Times-Union Center- Moran Theatre, 632-3373
May 6
The Aquabats Any mom of a preschooler is familiar with the work of the Aquabat’s frontman MC Bat Commander, though they may not realize it. The cape-wearing musical superhero is, by day, the co-creator of Nickelodeon’s hit kids show Yo Gabba Gabba! as well as the voice of Plex on the series. If you dig what you hear on the show, you may want to head over to Jack Rabbits on May 6th. Blending rock with ska, pop punk and a heaping helping of synth, the Aquabats create music that gets people of all ages on the dance floor. Whaleface will also be performing. Tickets: $15/advance, $17/day of show. Jack Rabbits, 398-7496
May 7- 8
Funk Fest 2010 Enjoy not one but two days of some of the best R&B and soul in the business this month at Metro Park. The 5th anniversary of Funk Fest kicks off on May 7th with Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Slick Rick taking center stage. Then on the 8th Maze, Frankie Beverly, BabyFace, SWV, Heavy D and Joy Dennis will be rockin’ the mic. Many of the tickets for this extraordinary event have already sold out so get yours today! Tickets: $40- $80. Metropolitan Park, 353-3309
May 8
The Music of Pink Floyd Welcome to The Machine, a band whose sole focus is to make every show an authentic Floydian experience, with dramatic lighting, video and theatrics. Joined by the Jacksonville Symphony, the sonic depth of Pink Floyd will be enhanced and expanded like never before. 8 pm. Times Union Center, 633-6110
May 9
B.B. King His reign as King of the Blues has been as long as that of any monarch on earth, yet B.B. King continues to wear his crown well. Don’t look for him in some kind of semi-retirement. At age 84, he is still light on his feet, singing and playing the blues with relentless passion. B.B. can be spotted in a myriad of TV commercials, laying down tracks for his next album or out on the road. In fact, the King himself will be Florida Theatre this month. Now’s your chance to catch a glimpse of American royalty in action. Tickets: $51- $69. Florida Theatre, 355-5661
May 13
Yip-Yip Orlando’s experimental electronica duo Yip-Yip is coming back to town on May 13th. Known for their inventive, beat-driven instrumentals and distinctive visual presence (including matching checkered jumpsuits, a crazy light show and wacky eye wear), the group never fails to put on a heck of a performance. See Yip-Yip with All Leather, After the Bomb, Baby! and Diamond Hyman at Lomax Lodge. Tickets: $6- $8. Lomax Lodge, 329-4724
May 14
The Flaming Lips Even within the eclectic world of alternative rock, few bands have been so brave, so frequently brilliant and so deliciously weird as the Flaming Lips. In addition to their lush, multi-layered, psychedelic arrangements, the Oklahoma natives are also known for their elaborate live shows, featuring costumed characters, balloons, puppets, video projections and confetti. If there was one must-see concert this month, this would be it. See the Flaming Lips at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre on the 14th. Tickets: $29.50- $38.50. St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 471-1965
Cannibal Corpse From Buffalo, New York comes a death metal monster that has yet to be tamed: Cannibal Corpse. The band has been known to raise a few eyebrows with their dark album art and twisted lyrics, some of which have even gotten the band banned from performing in a number of countries. Thankfully, they can still play here! Cannibal Corpse will be performing at the Freebird on May 14th with Skeletonwitch, Lecherous Nocturne and Crypteria. Tickets: $15/advance, $20/day of show. Freebird Live, 246-BIRD
May 15
Deadbolt San Diego’s Deadbolt have been called the “Scariest Band in the World.” Between their “Voodoobilly” sound and drunken stage antics, including the use of power tools and fire, that might be a fair assessment. If you haven’t seen this band for yourself, head over to Jack Rabbits on May 15th and enjoy the greatest living B-Movie ever to grace any stage. Tickets: $13/advance, $15/day of show. Jack Rabbits, 398-7496
May 18
Cage the Elephant Music critics who have witnessed the eye-popping spectacle that is a Cage the Elephant live performance have likened the band’s singer to many things, among them “a demented Bible Belt preacher,” “a Tasmanian devil whooping and jumping up and down like a frenzied gibbon.” Makes you wanna see them when they come through this month, huh? If so, head to the Freebird on the 18th and enjoy! Portland’s Morning Teleportation will open. Tickets: $15/advance, $20/day of show. Freebird Live, 246-BIRD
May 30
X102.9 Rock on the River X 102.9 has crafted a not-to be-missed show featuring Paper Tongues, Crash Kings, Flobots, Richie Nix and 20WT. With that much entertainment, you might expect to pay a pretty penny for tickets, but alas, Jacksonville’s newest modern rock station is bringing you this concert for free. Woohoo! Head over to the Jacksonville Landing on May 30th for all the fun. Jacksonville Landing, 353-1188
May 31
RiverFest For 22 years Green Cove Springs has hosted RiverFest, a day-long Memorial Day celebration that includes yummy food, live entertainment, family fun and fireworks. This year’s party will have all that and more. Come out and experience it for yourself, and while you’re there be sure to check out music by Kyleigh Hill, Destany and Shelby Brooks. Spring Park (Green Cove Springs), 529-2200
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