Things might seem a little quieter around town these days, but don’t be fooled—these local cover bands are cranking up the volume and keeping the good vibes rolling. Whether you’re into groovy dance beats, classic rock tunes, chill reggae rhythms, smooth easy listening or cool country jams, there’s a sound for every mood and a venue ready to party. The best part? With the snowbirds still up north, there’s even more room on the dance floor!  —B. Heit

Lisa and The All Terrain Band

Lisa Rott, frontwoman of Lisa & The All-Terrain Band, has been immersed in music since childhood—singing into a hairbrush and dreaming of the stage. Her lifelong passion was ignited after hearing Bonnie Raitt perform at the 1979 No Nukes concert at Madison Square Garden. “In college, my parents sent me a guitar, and within two months I was singing in three groups—Top 40, folk harmony and acoustic pop—on campus and at Wolfe’s Pub,” she recalls. Rott went on to manage New Jersey event bands for over 25 years, performing with legends like Ben E. King, opening for KC and The Sunshine Band and recording demos for songwriters pitching to artists like Madonna and Pat Benatar. Balancing music with a stable career, she found the sweet spot between passion and practicality. After relocating part-time to Sarasota in 2010, Rott eventually formed her own band and built a lineup she proudly calls “pro-level and versatile.” The current roster includes Brandon Sommers (keys/vocals/harmonica), Al Marnie (bass/vocals), Todd Adams (drums) and the newest addition, Steven VonSharts (guitar). “We can cover any genre authentically, and best of all, we’re friends,” she says. “Multiple lead vocalists give us incredible range and rich harmonies.” Now a full-time Sarasota resident, Rott aims to take audiences on a journey. “Music reflects life—happy, sad, fast, slow. If I can touch someone the way Bonnie Raitt touched me, I’ve done my job.” Stay up to date with the band’s Facebook page.

Kettle of Fish 

“No one sets out to be a cover band,” says Dana Lawrence, lead singer and principal songwriter of Kettle of Fish. “Even The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead started out playing other people’s music before growing into their own.” Kettle of Fish follows a similar arc. Over the years, its members have shared stages with legends like Charlie Daniels, Frankie Valli and Devon Allman. Now based in Southwest Florida, the band’s current lineup is a melting pot of musical backgrounds and experiences—each member drawn to the region for a mix of family and sunshine. The band describes their sound as “festiblues”—a high-energy blend of blues, soul, funk and rock ‘n’ roll tailor-made for festivals. Their covers breathe fresh life into classics, while their original songs feel timeless. Since forming in 2001, Kettle of Fish has evolved into a tight, seasoned five-piece band. Alongside Lawrence are guitarist Thorson Moore, bassist and vocalist Chris Guertin, drummer Pat McDonald and keyboardist Robin Swenson. “We’re like-minded musicians who just love playing music,” says Lawrence. “We mix in original material with covers. Some of our favorite venues, like The Blue Rooster, may be gone—but you can still catch us every Sunday at Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse from 4-7pm.” Kettle of Fish is also a regular fixture at Paragon’s Seafood & Music Festivals across Florida, and their ever-changing schedule includes festivals, corporate events and private parties. Among their many highlights? “We had the honor of opening for Dickey Betts three times,” Lawrence recalls. “He even called us intimidating. Honestly, that’s probably the biggest compliment I’ve ever received.” The band is proud to be part of Sarasota’s vibrant, supportive music scene. “There’s a real sense of community here,” Lawrence says. “There’s enough work for everyone, and we all lift each other up. You’ll often find us sitting in with each other’s bands—because at the end of the day, it’s about having fun.” This summer, you’ll find Kettle of Fish playing all over Sarasota and Bradenton at venues like Clancy’s and Cottonmouth in Bradenton and Gilligan’s on Siesta Key. Stay in the loop and catch a show by visiting gotonight.com.

Audio Orchid 

Guitarists and vocalists John Silvestri and Ryan Thompson, the powerhouse duo behind Audio Orchid, first crossed paths as music majors at Florida State University in Tallahassee. Both picked up the guitar around the age of 10, and after a few jam sessions around town, their undeniable musical chemistry quickly sparked not just a creative partnership but a lasting friendship. Their journey as local area performers began back in 2017 with a debut gig at Scullers Draft House. From there, the momentum never stopped. “One gig at a time,” as they describe it, their calendar steadily filled—and soon, they were one of the area’s most in-demand live acts. Today, Audio Orchid regularly lights up stages at local favorites like Pop’s Sunset Grill, Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Nokomos, and The Parrot, along with numerous private events. “Sarasota has such a vibrant music scene, and we’re so lucky to be part of a town that truly values live music,” says Silvestri. “We feel incredibly grateful to be full-time musicians, especially now as we work on our first album as Audio Orchid.” Known for their passionate, high-energy performances, the duo thrives in lively settings. “Any venue that turns into a dance party—that’s where we come alive,” Silvestri shares. “We love connecting with the crowd and feeding off their energy. And the waterfront views at a lot of our venues? That’s just a bonus.” Musically, Audio Orchid blends soul and rock with a fresh, dynamic edge. Their setlists span decades—from 1960s classics to today’s hits—but every cover is infused with their own distinct sound. “We don’t try to imitate,” Silvestri says. “We play songs that feel like they’re part of us. That’s when the magic happens.” To learn more: facebook.com/audioorchid

Tony ‘n’ Tasha 

Looking for the perfect night out? Join Tony ‘n’ Tasha every Friday and Saturday evening at B&B Chophouse for sizzling steaks, smooth bourbon and unforgettable live music. One of the area’s hottest duos—Tony ‘n’ Tasha have a playlist of over 600 songs from all genres and they’re adding more all the time. Tony, a gifted piano virtuoso from the UK, brings a sharp sense of humor and a powerhouse voice to the stage. His wife, Natasha, enchants with her sultry vocals and magnetic presence that keeps the crowd coming back for more. “I love that our audiences come from a variety of states, countries and social backgrounds. They appear to appreciate that we play many different genres of music and when mixed with my intrinsic sense of humor, it allows for every performance to be unique,” shares Tony. “We have been blessed to entertain people in the Sarasota area on riverfront patios, marinas, luxury golf clubs, seafront and neighborhood venues. Where else is there such an eclectic mix of venues providing entertainment for locals and visitors alike?” Tasha, who loves the ‘island time’ culture of Sarasota is happy to take audience suggestions. “We learn new songs for our regulars, so our set list has grown exponentially in some really fun and unexpected directions in Sarasota!” Whether you’re in the mood to sing along, dance the night away or just soak up the vibe, Tony ‘n’ Tasha will leave you humming long after the last note fades. To learn more, visit tonyntasha.com

Lisa Ridings Duo

Lisa and Chris are a husband and wife musical duo who have been entertaining audiences in Sarasota for over six years with their renditions of popular songs from the 70s to today. Lisa’s captivating vocals and Chris’s guitar skills create a dynamic performance that blends classic disco, rock, pop and country. The couple met while performing and have been married for four years. Lisa, originally from Long Island, NY, received vocal training from a young age and has been performing professionally since she was 19. Chris, who retired from the insurance industry due to COVID, now dedicates his time to his passion for music. They both appreciate the vibrant Sarasota music scene, which provides numerous opportunities for talented musicians to perform and make a living. “The Sarasota music scene has been great for us,” says Lisa. “There are so many talented musicians in the area and so many live venues to play at, giving us all a wonderful opportunity to go out, make a living and do what we love best–perform.” The Lisa Ridings Duo has a regular gig at Mattison’s City Grille every Monday and also performs at Marina Jack’s on select Saturdays. For updates on their performance schedule, visit their website and Facebook page.

Bri Rivera

Blending Latin fusion, funk, blues and rock, Bri Rivera and her band have been active in the local music scene for over a decade. The group performs in various configurations depending on the venue, with Rivera as lead singer and guitarist, and longtime bassist Randy Bordon. After years of solo performances and hosting open mic nights, Rivera formed the band in 2017, recruiting drummer Adam Sahhar and later collaborating with lead guitarist Thorson Moore. Despite setbacks during COVID, the band reinvented itself and solidified its current lineup by late 2022, becoming a dynamic act with a strong following in the Sarasota music community. “One of our biggest compliments is the variety of genres and styles of music we play. Our sound is very much inspired by Santana and other blends of bands such as, Maná, B.B King and Lady Gaga. If you could add a little Marc Anthony and Selena to your Stevie Nicks, I think you get us,” explains Rivera. Some of the biggest events the band has played in locally include the Cinco the Mayo Block Party and Dia de Los Muertos Block Party hosted by El Melvin on Main Street. “We get to play in front of thousands of people that live right here and all come out to see us perform–it’s just amazing.”  A graduate of The Conservatory of Music in Havana, Cuba with a degree in sound engineering from St. Pete College, Rivera auditioned for The Voice in 2013 and 2018 and sang the National Anthem for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. Today, you can find her performing in regular gigs at Blasé Cafe and Martini Bar in Siesta Key and Marina Jack, which has been like home for her band during the past five years. They play as a duo there every Tuesday from 5-9pm and with the full band every Friday from 6 to 10pm. Check out their new single, Don’t You Know, available on all streaming platforms and visit their website for live music updates: bririvera.com