Looking for live music? Here are some of my best bets for touring bands, original tunes, big acts and otherwise cool shows this June in Southwest Florida. I’ll add more as venues announce new shows.
This list focuses mostly on original music and interesting concerts. Check individual venues for cover bands and other shows.
ACMA
Every Sunday: Songwriters Circle, weekly event where local songwriters get together, perform their original songs and get feedback from the group. Anyone is welcome. Just bring your guitar! 2-5 p.m. Free.
June 23: Passerine, Sarasota folk/Americana band with inventive vocal harmonies, guitar, dobro and violin. Ken Hulme opens. 7 p.m. $10-$15.
June 30: Anniversary show: ACMA celebrates its sixth anniversary with performances from its founding members. 7 p.m. $10-$15.
The Americana Community Music Association Listening Room inside All Faiths Unitarian Church, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. americanacma.org
THE BARREL ROOM
Every Thursday: The Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet, featuring trumpeter Miller (who has toured and recorded with Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis and more) and saxman Del Gatto (formerly of the Saturday Night Live band) playing jazz every week in this local quartet. 7-10 p.m. Free.
June 22: Randy Stephens & The Groove Makers, Nokomis blues, roots, R&B and blues-rock band. 9 p.m. $5.
June 23: Albert Castiglia Band, South Florida band that plays what bandleader Castiglia calls “red-raw, sweat-and-hair blues that gives it to you straight.” 9 p.m. $10.
June 29: The Ghost Town Blues Band, modern blues band that was a runner-up for the 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. 9 p.m. $10.
The Barrel Room, 2214 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-2225 or barrelroomfortmyers.com
BERT’S BAR
June 28: The Hipnauticals, Matlacha band that plays hip originals and covers in the style of old-fashioned swing music, R&B and rock with an upright bass and more. 7 p.m. Free.
June 22: Mike Imbasciani and his BluezRockers, the young Southwest Florida bluesman has been singing and playing guitar professionally since age 5. 7:30 p.m. Free.
June 23 and 30: Brother Love, local blues band that plays covers and originals. 7 p.m. Free.
Bert’s Bar & Grill, 4271 Pine Island Road, Matlacha. 282-3232 or bertsbar.com
BIG BLUE BREWING
June 22: Jory Lyle Trio, the local singer-songwriter and his trio play originals are reminiscent of John Mayer and Counting Crows. They also play an eclectic mix of funky, danceable rock hits from the 70s to today. 9 p.m. Free.
June 29: Sheena Brook, local country singer-songwriter who competed in March 2017 on “The Voice.” 9 p.m. Free.
Big Blue Brewing, 4721 S.E. 10th Place, downtown Cape Coral. 471-2777 or bigbluebrewing.com
BUCKINGHAM BLUES BAR
Ongoing: Open Stage Blues Jam, twice-weekly blues jam open to all musicians and hosted by bar owner and bluesman Tommy Lee Cook. 3-6 p.m. every Sunday, 8-11 p.m. every Wednesday. Free.
June 22: The Allman-Goldflies Band, Florida-born Southern rockers featuring Gary Allman (cousin of Gregg and Duane Allman) and David Goldflies (formerly of Ram Jam and the Allman Brothers Band). 8-11 p.m. $10.
Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Road, Buckingham. 693-7111 or buckinghambar.com
BUDDHA ROCK CLUB
June 24: A200, modern rockers from Southwest Florida. All shows start at 9:30 or 10 p.m. Free.
June 26: The Freecoasters and Bargain Bin Heroes: The two local bands perform and jam with guitarist/comedian Sideshow Bob and friends. The Freecoasters play reggae-soul, and Bargain Bin Heroes play ska-punk. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free.
June 29: The Clanton Gang, hard-rocking local act that plays both originals and cover tunes. About 9:30 or 10 p.m. Free.
June 30: Completely Unchained, the Van Halen tribute act performs. About 9:30 or 10 p.m. Free.
Buddha Rock Club, 12701 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 482-8565 or buddharockclub.com
CAPE CABARET
June 23: The Goldtones, quartet that sings four-part harmony on doo-wop and oldies tunes. 7 p.m. $5 with $10 minimum food or drink purchase.
June 30: George Orr, Rod Stewart look-alike who brings the raspy-voiced pop singer to life with witty, funny banter in between songs like “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” and “Maggie May. 7 p.m. $15 with $10 minimum food or drink purchase.
Cape Cabaret, 4725 Vincennes Blvd., Cape Coral. 549-3000 or capecabaret.com
CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS BONITA SPRINGS
June 23: Rocket Man: The Elton John Tribute Show, performer Rus Anderson recreates the look and sound of a young Elton John. 8 p.m. $27-$40.
Center for Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org
CHARLOTTE COUNTY CULTURAL CENTER
June 30: American Made: The high-energy classic-rock band performs covers of The Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, The Monkees and more. 7 p.m. $20.
Charlotte County Cultural Center, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. 941-625-4175 or theculturalcenter.com
CULTURAL PARK THEATER
June 29-July 1, Faithfully, Journey tribute band recreates all eras of the pop-rock band’s career. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $21.
Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. 772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com
FORT MYERS BREWING COMPANY
June 23: Group show, a day’s worth of bands with Them Hamilton Boys, Aaron Seyfferth and NoNeed. 2-10:30 p.m. Free.
Fort Myers Brewing Company, 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Unit 28, south Fort Myers. 313-6576 or fmbrew.com
GEORGE & WENDY’S SANIBEL SEAFOOD GRILLE
June 30: The Pitbull of Blues Band, frontman Josh Rowand — otherwise known as The Pitbull of Blues — and his high-energy band known for its fun mix of traditional and original blues. 9 p.m. to midnight. Free.
June 29: Rex Bongo Band, local blues, roots-music and swamp country-rock trio. Shows start at 8 or 9 p.m. Free.
June 24: The Hipnauticals, Matlacha band known for its hip originals and covers played in the style of old-fashioned swing music, R&B and rock with an upright bass and more. 9 p.m. to midnight. Free.
June 23: Dan Miller, the local jazz trumpeter has toured and recorded with Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman and Tom Jones. 9-11 p.m. Free.
George & Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille, 2499 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island. 395-1263 or sanibelseafoodgrille.com
HOWL
Every Thursday: HOWL Open Jam, local musicians jam together with host Frankie Colt, a house drum kit and some surprises (including comedy and burlesque performances). 8-11 p.m. $5.
June 21: The Murder Junkies, the notorious New York punk-rock band is best known for backing the late, even more notorious GG Allin. They play Allin’s songs and their own. Their tour marks the 25th anniversary of Allin’s death. With opening acts A Killing Tradition, Mosquito Teeth and more. 8 p.m. to midnight. $10.
June 23: Antikvlt: A Night of Southwest Florida Underground Music, micro festival featuring local hip-hop acts Demigod Duo, Duke Stamina, Breshnyda, Ashiyushi, IDeaL Minded, John Wayne Gretsky, Wave Mage and Nodding Off. Plus art from local artists, fashion vendors, free tarot readings, food trucks and craft beer. 7 p.m. to midnight. $10 in advance, $13 at the door.
HOWL, 4160 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers. 332-0161 or howlftmyers.com
LANI KAI
June 27: Radio Ghost, Fort Myers trio that plays rock covers and originals. 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free.
June 28: Soulixer, local funk/rock act influenced by bands such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Cage the Elephant. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free.
Lani Kai Island Resort, 1400 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach. 463-3111 or lanikaiislandresort.com/fort-myers-beach-music
NAPLES BEACH HOTEL & GOLF CLUB
June 23: SummerJazz on the Gulf, the 33rd-annual outdoor concert series opens with Show Biz Kids, a 12-piece Steely Dan tribute band. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free.
Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples. 261-2222 or NaplesBeachHotel.com
POINT YBEL BREWING COMPANY
June 29: Morgan Marie and the Uptown3, local jazz act known for its retro sound. 7 p.m. Free.
Point Ybel Brewing Company, 16120 San Carlos Blvd., south Fort Myers. 603-6535 or facebook.com/PointYbelBrew
PORKY’S ROADHOUSE
June 29: Bubba Sparxxx, the country rapper performs with opening act TMP. 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. $20-$25 for general admission, $25-$30 for VIP.
Porky’s Roadhouse, 4300 King’s Highway, Port Charlotte. 941-629-2114 or facebook.com/porkysroadhousepc
THE RANCH CONCERT HALL & SALOON
June 23: Joe Nichols, the country star returns to Southwest Florida. Nichols’ hits include "Yeah,” "Brokenheartsville," “Sunny and 75” and "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off." 9 p.m. $32-$67.
June 30: Jon Langston, Georgia country singer known for the songs “When It Comes to Loving You,” “Right Girl Wrong Time” and recent new single “Prob’ly At A Bar.” 9 p.m. $19-$46.
The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
SHARK BAR & GRILL
June 24: Damon Fowler, blues/roots/rock singer, songwriter and guitarist from Tampa. 5-8 p.m. Free.
June 27: Neon Summer, Cape Coral country-music trio that has appeared at The Grand Ole Opry and is steadily building a strong local following. 6-9 p.m. Free.
Shark Bar & Grill, 17979 San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers Beach. 313-6012 or facebook.com/sharkbarfmb
THE SHELL FACTORY
Wednesday Dance Nights with Jerry Dycke, the singer/songwriter/keyboardist performs covers of country songs, ballads, waltzes and more, plus some of his own solo music. Dycke is a former recording artist for Sun Records, the Memphis studio famous for Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley. Three of his songs have made it onto the Billboard Top 100 radio charts: "I Never Said Goodbye,” "Daddy Played Harmonica” and “Beethoven Was Before My Time." He was inducted into the Florida Country Music Association Hall of Fame in 1994. 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays. $6. Takes place in The Dolphin Room.
The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. 995-2141 or shellfactory.com
SLATE’S
June 26: Possum Gravy, high-energy Cape Coral string quintet that plays “bluegrass with a twist” and covers gospel, rock, bluegrass, country, blues and more. 7 p.m. Free.
June 27 : The Hot Buttered Nuggets, Fort Myers “vintage Americana” duo that performs classic swing, rockabilly, blues and more. Bandleader Douglas Everton plays guitar and vocally “impersonates” the sounds of the brass and woodwind instruments, drum solos and more. 7 p.m. Free.
June 22: The Pitbull of Blues Band, frontman Josh Rowand — otherwise known as The Pitbull of Blues — and his high-energy band known for its fun mix of traditional and original blues. 7 p.m. Free.
June 23: The Marty Stokes Band, local band known for its raw, ferocious blues power. 7 p.m. Free.
Slate’s, 4820 Candia St., Cape Coral. 540-6800 or slatescapecoral.com
SOCIETY
June 28: Soulixer, local funk/rock act influenced by bands such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Cage the Elephant. 7-11 p.m. on May 17, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on May 26. Free.
June 30: The Hipnauticals, Matlacha band known for its hip originals and covers played in the style of old-fashioned swing music, R&B and rock with an upright bass and more. 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Society at Bell Tower Shops, 13499 Bell Tower Drive, Suite E-518, south Fort Myers. 334-0900 or societyfortmyers.com
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA EVENT CENTER
June 22: Maxi Priest, pop-reggae star known for “Close to You” and “Wild World.” 8 p.m. $30-$50.
June 27: Shooter Jennings, the country/Southern rock star couldn’t have a better pedigree: He’s the son of outlaw country great Waylon Jennings. His hits include “Gone to Carolina,” “Outlaw You” and “4th of July.” 8 p.m. $22-$45.
Southwest Florida Event Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road S.E., Bonita Springs. 245-9910 or swfleventcenter.com
SPACE 39
Every Thursday: Space Jam, weekly soul/funk jam open to everyone. 8 p.m. to midnight. Free.
Space 39 Art Bar & Martini Lounge, 39 Patio de Leon, downtown Fort Myers. 204-9949 or space39artbar.com
— Want your band to be considered for the Live Music calendar and The News-Press’s various entertainment calendars? Just visit events.news-press.com and enter details about your upcoming shows. You can also email concert details (including times and ticket prices) and high-res band photos to crunnells@news-press.com. No cover bands, please!
Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells (News-Press) (Facebook), @charlesrunnells (Twitter), @crunnells1 (Instagram)