Freebies and concerts for first anniversary of Clearwater’s BayCare Sound

CLEARWATER — This month marks the one-year anniversary of the opening of the BayCare Sound, the outdoor amphitheater that sprung up in the also newly remodeled Coachman Park. To mark the occasion, concertgoers will get some birthday presents like beach towels and bucket hats in an anniversary concert series.

“We have a series of concerts and events kicking off July 31 celebrating the one-year anniversary of the BayCare Sound and we are adding one-of-a-kind free giveaways for each show,” said an announcement from Ruth Eckerd Hall, which manages the venue for the city of Clearwater.

The design and size of the venue put it in a unique spot for Tampa Bay music fans. With 4,000 seats under cover and another 5,000 available for lawn sitting, it sits alone in the space between big arenas and smaller concert theaters. Concert promoters have called it the “sweet spot” for nabbing well-known acts who don’t like arenas, and multiact tours that together can draw a bigger crowd.

This past year brought the return of the 97X Next Big Thing to Coachman Park and the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. There have also been sold-out shows by Diana Ross, Willie Nelson and the Goo Goo Dolls. But it also brought some growing pains as the city learned about financial transparency when operating a theater inside of a community park.

For the anniversary celebration, Ruth Eckerd Hall announced nine shows, starting with genre-bending and multi award-winning electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling on July 31. Two of the events in the series are free, and each has a special giveaway for fans.

Schedule

Lindsey Stirling with special guest Walk Off The Earth, 7 p.m. July 31. Tickets start at $45.50. First 250 fans receive a BayCare Sound Mini Iridescent Crossbody Bag.

Fin Fest, a Jimmy Buffett celebration, with tribute band Bluffett and a screening of the film “Jaws.” 6 p.m. Aug. 1. Free. First 500 fans receive BayCare Sound Microfiber Beach Towel.

Blue October, with Switchfoot and Matt Nathanson. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 2. Tickets start at $49.50. First 250 fans receive BayCare Sound Cooling Towel.

Dirty Heads & Slightly Stoopid with special guests Common Kings and The Elovaters. 6 p.m. Aug. 3. Tickets start at $50.50. First 250 fans receive BayCare Sound Terry Headband.

Straight No Chaser, with Chris Kirkpatrick and O-Town. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4. Tickets start at $44.50. First 250 fans receive BayCare Sound Reversible Bucket Hat.

UB40 with The English Beat and Maxi Priest. 6 p.m. Aug 8. Tickets start at $49.50. First 250 fans receive a Red Red Wine Tervis Tumbler.

Stormbringer 30th anniversary concert with special guest the Black Honkeys Band. 7 p.m. Aug. 9. Free. First 500 fans receive BayCare Sound Ear Plugs.

Slash S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival with Larkin Poe, ZZ Ward & Robert Randolph. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10. Tickets start at $40. First 250 fans receive BayCare Sound Bandana.

Classic Album Live Performs The Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” with the Florida Rock Symphony. 7 p.m. Aug. 11. $10. First 500 fans receive BayCare Sound Tie-Dye Sunglasses.

For ticket information, visit thebaycaresound.com.