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Concerts this weekend: Jingle Ball, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, For King and Country

 
Photo by Jimmy Fontaine Halestorm will headline 98 Rock’s Not-So-Silent Night at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg on Dec. 16, 2018.
Photo by Jimmy Fontaine Halestorm will headline 98 Rock’s Not-So-Silent Night at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg on Dec. 16, 2018.
Published Dec. 14, 2018

POPPIN' FRESHNESS: 93.3-FLZ Jingle Ball

The annual iHeartMedia Jingle Ball Tour, which hits about a dozen markets around the country each December, can at times feel a little corporate and same-y. But in Tampa, at least, Saturday's 93.3-FLZ Jingle Ball feels fresher than in years past. The heartthrob at the top of the bill, Shawn Mendes, above, is no stranger to the Jingle Ball, and neither is Sabrina Carpenter. But Marshemello, Khalid, Bebe Rexha, NF, Bazzi are all first-timers. So are Bryce Vine, Madison Beer and AJ Mitchell, who will play a free outdoor pre-show starting around 3 p.m. The show inside starts at 7 p.m. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $41 and up. (813) 301-2500. amaliearena.com.

JOYFUL NOISE: 98 Rock's Not-So-Silent Night

Why not throw one more holiday radio concert on the calendar? 98 Rock's inaugural Not-So-Silent Night might not feature many little drummer boys, but it'll have three hard rock queens ready to slay: Halestorm's Lzzy Hale, left, In This Moment's Maria Brink and New Years Day's Ash Costello. This same show is playing Orlando's Amway Center two nights prior, so thank 98 Rock for bringing it to a venue as intimate as the Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. 7 p.m. Sunday. $53 and up. (727) 892-5767. themahaffey.com.

LOCAL MILESTONE: Underoath

After two straight sold-out concerts at Jannus Live, why are metalcore heroes Underoath scaling up to an arena? Simple: Because they can. "Let's make it one big Florida show as opposed to three normal ones," said singer Spencer Chamberlain. "The whole point of doing this is to have everyone drive here. Come to our neck of the woods." It's a milestone show for arguably the biggest band ever to come out of Tampa Bay — their first time headlining an arena, and the first time any local band has headlined an arena in Tampa. To help make it a night to remember, Underoath recruited another beloved Central Florida group, Anberlin, to reunite for the first time since 2014. They'll open the show along with Dance Gavin Dance, Crown the Empire and the Plot In You. $26 and up. 7 p.m. Friday. Yuengling Center, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. (813) 974-3004. yuenglingcenter.com.

LIGHTS FANTASTIC: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Christmas in Florida means one thing: The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is back to shred your stockings off. The orchestral, laser-laden holiday rock spectacular returns at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday for a quasi-hometown gig (TSO was built around members of Tarpon Springs' Savatage, and for the past few years has made Tampa a home base). It's the rare show grannies, kids and metalheads can all agree on, and an experience all headbanging elves should cross off their naughty/nice bucket list. Amalie Arena. $31.25 and up.

ROYAL RECEPTION: For King and Country

After a sold-out gig at the Yuengling Center, Christian superstars For King and Country are scaling up for their annual blockbuster Christmas tour. Aussie brothers Luke and Joel Smallbone are shifting their show to Amalie Arena and have still sold very well. "We are grateful people want to make us part of their Christmas celebrations," Luke recently told Times correspondent Sarah Whitman. "It is a tremendous honor. When we are performing for a few thousand people it can still feel surprising." If you don't get in, fear not — they're coming to the Florida Strawberry Festival in March. Zach Williams opens. 7 p.m. Friday. $22.50 and up.

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SWINGIN' SEASON: Nate Najar's Jazz Holiday

Renowned local jazz guitarist Nate Najar always packs in a crowd for his annual talent-rich holiday show, which mixes players both local (bassist John Lamb, trumpeter James Suggs, drummer Mark Feinman) and international (woodwind virtuoso Adrian Cunningham, saxophonist Dmitry Baevsky, singer-guitarist Daniela Soledade). Listen out for holiday favorites and songs from Najar's new album Under Paris Skies. $30 and up. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 822-3590. mypalladium.org

BRAIN MAN: H.R.

Paul "H.R." Hudson is a punk legend. The singer for D.C. hardcore heroes Bad Brains is also a colorful personality who's had health issues in recent years, so it's good to see him performing around the country again. His Human Rights Tour is a rare chance to see him and hear some Bad Brains music live, with the Dollyrots and Switchblade Villians opening. 7 p.m. Friday. Brass Mug, 1450 Skipper Road, Tampa. $22 and up. (813) 972-8152. facebook.com/brassmugtampa