Top 6 concert picks for Sarasota-Bradenton-Charlotte: Sept. 23-29

Frank Bang

Punta Gorda Southern food spot and venue Leroy's live music lineup this week includes bluesman Frank "Bang" Blinkal. The performer started out in the blues hub of Chicago, working at Buddy Guy's Legends club before joining the blues legend's band as a touring guitarist for five years. These days, he serves as a frontman himself, having released albums such as 2016's "The Blues Don't Care" under the name Frank Bang & The Cook County Kings. 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23; Leroy's Southern Kitchen & Bar, 201 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-505-2489; leroyspg.com

RJ Howson

Bluesman RJ Howson's local shows this week are set to include Stottlemyer's Smokehouse, as well as Mattison's Riverwalk Grille for its monthly Blues Brunch event. Howson performed in Chicago before relocating to Sarasota-Manatee, and now ranks among the area's most prolific performers. Recently, he's also played weekly gigs at Big Top Brewing Company's new taproom for its Blues and Brews Sunday series, and at Joyland's new location for its Bourbon and Blues Wednesdays. 6 p.m. Thursday; Stottlemyer's Smokehouse, 19 East Road, Sarasota; 941-312-5969; facebook.com/stottlemyerssmokehouse; 11 a.m. Sunday; Mattison's Riverwalk Grille, 101 Riverfront Blvd. #120, Bradenton; 941-896-9660; mattisons.com

Classic Albums Live: 'Led Zeppelin II'

After visiting Van Wezel earlier this year, performing Pink Floyd's landmark 1973 LP "The Dark Side of the Moon," Classic Albums Live will return to the venue to recreate another rock favorite, 1969's "Led Zeppelin II." The group performs beloved records "note for note, cut for cut," with founder Craig Martin noting "one thing I know for sure is that Zep fans are unrelenting in their love for the band." Don't be surprised to see some of those fans out to hear classics from "Led Zeppelin II," including "Whole Lotta Love" and "Ramble On." 8 p.m. Friday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $32-$72; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org

Backtrack Blues Band

Bradenton Southern food spot and venue Cottonmouth welcomes Backtrack Blues Band for a show on its patio. Formed in 1980, the Tampa Bay-based, Chicago-style blues band is still going strong four decades later, with the group recently playing San Diego Blues Festival alongside names such as Larkin Poe and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram. Putting out their first album “Dress It Up” back in 1983, Backtrack Blues Band released their latest "Your Baby Has Left" last year. 7:30 p.m. Friday; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; $10, $20 day of; 941-243-3735; cottonmouthsoul.com

Moon Kissed and others

Fabulous Arts Foundation, which recently changed its name from Harvey Milk Festival, will hold a two-week LGBTQ festival that includes a daylong outdoor concert Saturday in Sarasota's Rosemary District. New York synth-pop trio Moon Kissed, set to release their sophomore album "I'd Like to Tell You Something Important" in October as their follow-up to 2019's "I Met My Band at a New Year's Party," headline. Several Florida-based musicians will also perform, along with Selma Nilla, a drag performer who lived in Sarasota before moving to New York and appearing on Netflix's "Nailed It!" 2:30 p.m. Saturday; 1250 10th St., Sarasota; $5; fabaf.org

Fabulous fun: Two-week Sarasota LGBTQ festival features daylong concert, movie screenings, more

Selma Nilla:Sarasota-raised drag performer gains fans baking on Netflix hit ‘Nailed It’

The Lucky Losers

Sarasota restaurant and blues venue The Blue Rooster's live music lineup this weekend includes The Lucky Losers. Hailing from San Francisco, the group is fronted by duetting vocalists Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz, with a sound blending soul, blues, rock, gospel and country. Their latest release is last year's album "Godless Land," with the title track recently being named song of the year by the Independent Blues Awards, which also awarded Lemons with the title of artist of the year. 8 p.m. Saturday; The Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota; $10; 941-388-7539; blueroostersrq.com

If you are an area musician who’d like to be considered for this list, please email ticket@heraldtribune.com with your event information at least a week in advance. Show schedules are subject to change; check venues/pages in advance to confirm or for questions on COVID-19 protocols.

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