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The Shocking 2024 Lineup & 23-Year History Of 97X Next Big Thing: Who’s The Next Alt-Rock Legend?

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The 97X Next Big Thing (NBT) festival, a time-honored tradition in the Tampa Bay area, recently wrapped up its 23rd annual celebration, cementing its legacy as the premier alternative rock event for discovering future legends. This year’s highly-anticipated event, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, in Clearwater, Florida, delivered a powerful blend of nostalgic headliners and fresh, emerging talent, perfectly capturing the festival’s founding spirit. The 2024 edition of the 97X Next Big Thing was a massive success, drawing thousands of alt-rock enthusiasts to witness performances that spanned two decades of alternative music history. From the pop-punk anthems of the early 2000s to the indie-pop sounds of today, the festival once again proved its knack for curating a lineup that is both commercially appealing and critically relevant, setting the stage for the "next big thing" in the industry.

The Complete 97X Next Big Thing 2024 Lineup and Event Details

The 23rd annual 97X Next Big Thing event took place in December 2024, continuing its tradition as a late-year staple for alternative music fans in the Southeast. The festival’s location, the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre and its surrounding venues in the Tampa Bay area, has become synonymous with the event’s high-energy atmosphere. The 2024 lineup was a masterful mix of established alternative rock royalty and artists on the cusp of breakout success, showcasing the depth and breadth of the genre.

Headliners and Main Stage Performers

The main event was anchored by two bands whose music defined a generation of pop-punk and emo rock, drawing massive crowds eager to relive their favorite anthems. * The All-American Rejects: Serving as a major headliner, The All-American Rejects brought their extensive catalog of hits, including "Gives You Hell" and "Dirty Little Secret," showcasing their enduring appeal to a multi-generational audience. * Something Corporate: The highly-anticipated appearance of Something Corporate, led by Andrew McMahon, was a significant draw. Their performance was a nostalgic journey for fans of their piano-driven alternative rock, marking a major highlight of the festival. * Dayglow: Representing the modern wave of indie pop, Dayglow’s vibrant, synth-heavy set provided a stark contrast to the headliners, demonstrating their growing status as a festival favorite. * Judah & The Lion: Known for their unique blend of folk, pop, and hip-hop, Judah & The Lion delivered an energetic and emotionally resonant performance, further solidifying their place in the contemporary alternative scene.

Emerging Artists: The True 'Next Big Thing'

True to its name, the NBT festival also spotlighted several artists widely tipped to be the next major breakout acts in alternative music. These performances are often the most crucial, offering fans bragging rights for having seen a future star before they hit the mainstream. * Gigi Perez: The rising star delivered a captivating set, showcasing why she is a name to watch in the coming year. * Jonah Kagen: With a rapidly growing following, Jonah Kagen's performance provided a glimpse into the future of acoustic-driven alternative. * Local Bands: The festival also featured a stage dedicated to local Tampa Bay talent, including the winners of the Hard Rock Rising finals, a tradition that ensures the event remains connected to the grassroots music scene.

The Legendary History of 97X NBT: A Predictor of Alt-Rock Stardom

The longevity of the 97X Next Big Thing festival is not just due to its consistent quality, but its almost uncanny ability to book artists right before they explode onto the global stage. For over two decades, the festival has served as a crucial launchpad and proving ground for bands that would go on to define the sound of alternative rock.

A Hall of Fame of Past Performers

The list of former NBT performers reads like a 'Who's Who' of modern alternative music. Attending the festival is essentially witnessing a future Hall of Fame class in real-time. * Panic! At The Disco: They graced the NBT stage early in their career, long before their arena-filling status. * The Black Keys: The blues-rock duo performed at NBT and are now considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 21st century. * Paramore: A foundational band of the emo and pop-punk revival, their early NBT appearance is a legendary moment in the festival's history. * Cage The Elephant: Known as true NBT Legends, Cage The Elephant has performed multiple times, including a special "Legends" show, highlighting their deep connection to the festival. * The Lumineers: Their folk-rock sound was featured on the NBT stage, preceding their massive commercial success with hits like "Ho Hey." * Other Major Names: The festival's history also includes performances by Rise Against, The Used, Jimmy Eat World, Angels & Airwaves, Silversun Pickups, Coheed and Cambria, Bleachers, MisterWives, and Little Image. This rich history provides an incredible level of topical authority, making the festival not just an event, but a cultural institution where the past, present, and future of alternative music intersect.

The Festival's Enduring Formula for Success

What makes the 97X NBT so successful at predicting musical trends? It comes down to a few key factors: 1. Early Adoption: The 97X radio station's programming team has a keen ear for acts gaining momentum on college radio and streaming platforms, booking them before they become too expensive for a single-day festival. 2. Balancing Nostalgia and Discovery: Each year, the lineup strikes a perfect balance between booking established, beloved acts (like The All-American Rejects) to draw the crowd and introducing genuinely new talent (like Gigi Perez or Jonah Kagen) to fulfill the "Next Big Thing" promise. 3. Community Connection: By featuring local talent and maintaining strong ties to the Tampa Bay music scene, the festival has cultivated a loyal and passionate fanbase that trusts the 97X brand to deliver quality music.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect from 97X Next Big Thing 2025 and Beyond

While the dust has just settled on the spectacular 2024 event, the music community is already buzzing about what the future holds for this iconic festival. The "next big thing" is always just around the corner, and the festival's organizers are known for their ability to surprise and delight fans with early announcements.

The NBT Legends Series

A key development that shows the festival's commitment to its history is the occasional "NBT Legends" event. This series brings back a band that has previously played the festival and gone on to achieve legendary status. * Cage The Elephant's Return: A major example is the confirmed return of Cage The Elephant for a special 97X Next Big Thing Legends show scheduled for September 17, 2025, at The BayCare Sound. This separate event showcases the festival's ability to celebrate its past while looking forward.

The Search for the Next Breakout Star

The biggest question for any alternative music fan is: which artists will follow in the footsteps of Dayglow, and before them, The Black Keys and Paramore? The success of the 2024 emerging artists—Gigi Perez and Jonah Kagen—will be closely watched in the coming year as they transition from festival openers to potential headliners. Fans can anticipate the official announcement for the 24th annual event to follow a similar pattern, likely in the late summer or early fall, with the festival itself taking place in December 2025. Until then, the music world will be analyzing the 2024 lineup to see which band truly was the "Next Big Thing."

Essential Entities and LSI Keywords for the NBT Fan

To fully appreciate the 97X Next Big Thing, it helps to understand the key players and concepts that define the event: * Location: Clearwater, Florida, Tampa Bay, MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, The BayCare Sound * Genres: Alternative Rock, Indie Pop, Pop-Punk, Emo, Folk-Rock * Related Events: Hard Rock Rising finals, NBT Legends * Core Concepts: Alternative Music Festival, Emerging Artists, Lineup Rumors, Concert History, 97X Radio Station, Ticket Information, December Music Events. The 97X Next Big Thing is more than just a concert; it is a vital checkpoint for the alternative music industry. It’s where legends are made, and where fans can definitively say, "I saw them before they were huge." The 2024 event was a powerful reminder of this legacy, and the anticipation for the 2025 lineup is already building to a fever pitch.
The Shocking 2024 Lineup & 23-Year History of 97X Next Big Thing: Who’s The Next Alt-Rock Legend?
97x next big thing
97x next big thing

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