St. Paul and the Broken Bones in Tampa

About St. Paul and the Broken Bones

St. Paul and the Broken Bones are an Alabama soul outfit built around Paul Janeway's preacher-adjacent vocals and the band's grip on deep, churchy funk. They emerged in the early 2010s out of Birmingham with a sound that feels equally indebted to Al Green and Stax Records as it does to contemporary indie rock. Their breakthrough came with 'Don't Give Up on Me', a song that plays like a secular gospel number, full of urgency and conviction. Janeway's voice carries the weight of actual belief, whether he's singing about relationships or spiritual struggle. The band doesn't just play songs; they seem to be working through something in real time. Albums like 'Sea of Noise' and 'Yellow Crown' established them as serious practitioners of soul music who actually understand the tradition they're working in. They're not nostalgic about it—they sound like they're living it.

Janeway commands a room like he's leading a service. The crowd goes quiet, leans in. The band locks into grooves that feel genuinely hypnotic rather than just tight. People move because the music pulls them forward, not because it's performatively energetic.

Known for Don't Give Up on Me, Grass, Call Me, Half God, Half Devil, Sanctify

St. Paul and the Broken Bones + Tampa

St. Paul and the Broken Bones have a history with Tampa's live music scene. They last stopped by Crowbar back in 2014, bringing their soulful, energetic brand of rock and soul to the intimate venue. It's been a minute, but the band's ability to command a room hasn't faded.

St. Paul and the Broken Bones in Tampa News

• Before St. Pete concert, Paul Janeway talks St. Paul & the Broken Bones: ‘A lot of bands would have probably broken up’ Creative Loafing Tampa · Feb 24, 2026
• Tampa Bay’s best live music happening February 20-26 Creative Loafing Tampa · Feb 19, 2026
• St. Paul & the Broken Bones brings high-intensity soul back to Tampa Bay this spring Creative Loafing Tampa · Jan 7, 2026
• North American tour by rising Florida songwriter Nep among best new concerts coming to Tampa Bay Creative Loafing Tampa · Dec 2, 2025
• This week’s top Tampa Bay concerts: Chris Young, Cat Power, Freestyle Explosion Tampa Bay Times · Sep 11, 2019

Live Music in Tampa

Tampa's got a decent soul and funk undercurrent running beneath the usual Florida tourism noise—places like The Bricks and Ybor City venues have hosted plenty of acts working that groove. St. Paul and the Broken Bones fit that DNA pretty naturally: unapologetic soul with enough rhythm section backbone to get people moving. They'll find an audience here.

Tampa road trip to see St. Paul and the Broken Bones?

Skip the strip and head to Hyde Park, Tampa's most livable neighborhood with tree-lined streets, independent shops, and genuine character. Stay nearby and eat at The Bricks of Hyde Park for elevated Southern cuisine in a refurbished historic building. Spend an afternoon at the Dali Museum in nearby St. Petersburg—it's legitimately world-class and a solid hour drive but worth it. Walk along Bayshore Boulevard at sunset before the show. The whole vibe is understated enough that Johnson will feel like the most exciting thing happening all weekend.