Freestyle Explosion Tampa: What To Know Before You Go
Tonight the biggest dance club icons of the 80s and 90s return to Tampa for Freestyle Explosion Throwback Jam 2024. If you’re heading to Amalie Arena for the concert, here are the things to know before you go to Freestyle Explosion Tampa.
Freestyle Explosion 2024 Lineup
As always, Stevie B is your headliner and will do his classics like “Spring Love,” “Party Your Body,” “Because I Love You,” and “In My Eyes.” Lisa Lisa returns to the lineup this year to perform her big hits like “Head to Toe,” “All Cried Out,” and “Lost in Emotion.”
Expose also returns to the Freestyle Explosion Tampa lineup tonight. Their big Q105 hits include “Point of No Return,” “Come Go With Me,” “Let Me Be The One,” “Seasons Change,” and “I’ll Never Get Over You (Getting Over Me).”
TKA will get the crowd on their feet when they bust out “Maria,” “Louder Than Love,” and “Tears May Fall.” But don’t forget K7. It’s a highlight of the night every year for me when he does his big solo hit “Come Baby Come.”
After being away for a few years, it’s going to be great hearing Betty Dee from Sweet Sensation sing 80s classics like “Hooked On You,” “Take It While It’s Hot,” “Sincerely Yours,” and “If Wishes Came True.”
Local favorite from Wesley Chapel, George LaMond (“Bad of the Heart”) is back on the Freestyle Explosion Tampa lineup too. He’ll be joined by Lime (“Babe We’re Gonna Love Tonight”), Will To Power (“Babu I Love Your Way”), and Nocera (“Summertime, Summertime”).
What To Wear to Freestyle Explosion Tampa
Rock that ’80s look! Bust out the neon and MTV t-shirts. Nothing sets the vibe better than when everyone in the crowd’s outfits bring us back just like the music on stage. Ladies – tease that hair up high with some Aqua Net. Fellas – dig out those parachute pants you rocked during Spring Break.
Great Places To Eat Before The Show
I love that there’s a Columbia Restaurant right across the street. Get a 1905 salad or one of their great Cuban sandwiches. It’s right inside the Tampa Bay History Center.
If you don’t want to park near the crowds at Amalie Arena, take the free streetcars from Ybor City. That’s usually my move. That way you can either grab a slice of great pizza at Due Amici or eat at the original Columbia Restaurant. Or if you’re in the mood for Italian, Bernini of Ybor has some of my favorite Chicken Parmesan in Florida.
Tickets
YES! There are still tickets left for the concert tonight. Most of the floor seats are gone now. But if you’re taller, there are some primo seats left near the sound mixing board. It’s my favorite place to sit at a concert. And those seats are only about $55.
If you’re willing to spend a little more (keep in mind you’re getting almost a DOZEN concerts in one night), for $75 there are some great seats in Section 130 close to the stage left. That’s still less than $10 a performer.
On a budget? There are still seats left under $50 (a rare thing in 2024) in Section 215. There are no “nosebleed seats” for Freestyle Explosion. The concert organizer the Pacific Concert Group closes off the 300 level for the show. That means everyone will have a great seat.
Whatever you do, do NOT pay ticket scalper prices. I saw some Freestyle Explosion Tampa tickets listed on sites like StubHub for over $300. That’s crazy. As of this morning, the show has not sold out yet.
That said, if you can’t make the show, you won’t get all of your money back, but StubHub is very reliable and legit if you need to unload tickets for a show. It’s much safer than posting to social media or trying to sell them on the street. If you post tickets for sale on Facebook or other social media outlets, you’re likely to get flagged. Scammers do very well on Facebook selling fake tickets.
More Freestyle Explosion Tampa Tips
I joke about it on stage every year, but I’m serious when I say “Go before show.” Freestyle Explosion is a LONG non-stop night of great performances. There’s not much time for a bathroom break!
Bring a portable phone charger. You’re going to want to take a lot of pics and video to post to social media and just to save for yourself. That wears your cell phone battery down fast.
When you post to social media, include the hashtag #FreestyleExplosionTampa. (Not just Freestyle Explosion.) We love to see the show come back every year. This lets the crew at Pacific Concert Group back in California know they made the right move to come back to Tampa again! Plus it’s easier to see the stuff others posted.
Parking
There are plenty of lots near Amalie Arena, but they can get kind of pricy. Plus you can get stuck in those lines trying to get out. And you don’t want to have to leave early or you’ll miss Stevie B performing “Spring Love.” I instead prefer to park at one of the street meters. You can pay with your phone and it’s a lot less money. Saves about half what you’d pay at one of the garages.
Or even better, like I said earlier, park in a free or cheap spot in Ybor and take the street cars to Amalie Arena. They’re free!
