This week's best Tampa Bay concerts: Justin Timberlake, James Taylor, Steely Dan and more

MAN OF THE HOUR: Justin Timberlake

Here's an interesting stat that sums up where Justin Timberlake stands in the music biz in 2018. His new album Man of the Woods owns the year's biggest first-week sales tally. But the key word there is sales. Because if you factor in streaming numbers, the year's biggest debut is J. Cole's KOD. This suggests that even though Man of the Woods has spawned two Top 10 singles, Filthy and Say Something, J.T.'s not quite the draw among younger listeners as he once was. At 37, he is at the dawn of his elder-statesman phase, already a veteran of more than 20 years in the pop spotlight. Lucky for us, we'll get to see all that experience on display Tuesday at Amalie Arena, in what promises to be a dazzling stage spectacular. In the end, it doesn't matter if you streamed Man of the Woods or bought it on CD. Live is where it counts, and there, J.T. tends to deliver. The Shadowboxers open. 7:30 p.m. 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $49.50 and up. (813) 301-2500. amaliearena.com.

LEGENDARY LINEUP

Let's hear it for the old guys! In a break from the 21st century fire we normally spit your way, most of this week's hottest concerts are by dudes in their 60s and 70s. So pull your dang pants up and check 'em out.

Eddie Money

Blue collar to the core, the 69-year-old New York rocker has a deep well of '70s and '80s hits, including Shakin', Baby Hold On and Take Me Home Tonight. Your tickets to paradise start at $29. Greg Billings opens. 8 p.m. Thursday. Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. (727) 791-7400. atthecap.com.

Alan Jackson

Technically he doesn't turn 60 until October, but Jackson is still one of the great country singer-songwriters, a guy who can rock a jukebox with the best of them. Country throwback Lee Ann Womack opens. $25 and up. 7:30 p.m. Friday. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $25 and up. (813) 740-2446. livenation.com.

James Taylor

The bad news: Sweet Baby James, 70, won't be joined by original opener Bonnie Raitt, who recently dropped out due to a pressing medical issue. The good news: You get two full sets of J.T. and his All-Star Band, which should provide all the folksy warm 'n' fuzzies you can handle. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $66 and up. (813) 301–2500. amaliearena.com.

Steely Dan/Doobie Brothers

It's another classic dad-rock extravaganza, but this time, all eyes will be on Donald Fagen, 70, left, touring under the Steely Dan moniker for the first time since the death of co-founder Walter Becker. $25 and up. 7:30 p.m. Friday. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre. $25 and up.

Dickey Betts

The most newsworthy show this week might be the return of Allman Brothers Band guitarist Betts, 74. After a few years of retirement and ailing health, this gig in Betts' adopted hometown of Sarasota is the first of several comeback gigs this spring and summer. He's calling it a "live rehearsal," but you might not get another chance to see him this close. 8 p.m. Tuesday. White Buffalo Saloon, 5377 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. $60 and up. (941) 927-6655.

COMETLIKE RISE: Hayley Kiyoko

Her devoted fans call Hayley Kiyoko the "Lesbian Jesus," which is not the sort of moniker one usually associates with former Disney stars who have toured with Justin Bieber. But at 27, the actor-turned-pop singer is already an LGBTQ hero, thanks to her gender-bending 2015 single Girls Like Girls and new LP Expectations, which debuted just outside Billboard's Top 10. Later this year she'll open for Panic! at the Disco at Amalie Arena, but for now, catch her at 7 p.m. Sunday at Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $20 and up. (727) 565-0550. jannuslive.com.

SIX-STRING STAR: Joe Bonamassa

Guitar prodigy turned master Joe Bonamassa is one of the biggest names in blues today, a mini-industry unto himself who can pack almost any venue he pleases. His shows at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N McMullen-Booth Road in Clearwater, usually sell out in advance. So it's a little surprising his shows there at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday were not, at press time, totally sold out. It will cost you a pretty penny to get in ($96.50 and up), but it's an experience you might not forget. (727) 791-7400. rutheckerdhall.com.

     

     

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