Classic groups perform right here on the Treasure Coast, and our Watchdog Editor is there
Chi-Town Transit Authority, an Atlanta-based tribute band, performed June 29, 2025, in Port St. Lucie.
- Love live music? Love classic rock? There’s ample opportunity on the Treasure Coast.
- Tribute bands bring classic tunes home and make them accessible.
- Soak in the songs at free venues, community theaters and at traditional theaters.
Watchdog Editor Arnie Rosenberg loves music. He’s been a musician since he was in third grade (and still is a decent trumpet player). When he and his wife, Fran, moved to the Treasure Coast a couple of years ago, they began taking advantage of all the live music available year round — especially tribute bands.
They quickly discovered a wide range of venues, from outdoor public spaces to wineries to traditional theaters to performance spaces in the community where they live. It seems like the choices are endless.
Q: Where have you been to hear live tribute bands?
A: We’ve found opportunities close to home, but we don’t mind driving a bit for a fun time. There are great theaters in our community in Port St. Lucie. Not far is Tradition, where Tradition Square is the ideal venue to plant your lawn chairs, grab dinner from a food truck or someplace nearby and enjoy tunes under the stars. We especially enjoy the Lyric Theatre in Stuart, but the Sunrise Theatre in downtown Fort Pierce isn’t far, either. (Many of our neighbors like going to Summer Crush Vineyard & Winery in Fort Pierce).
Q: Whose music have you seen these tribute bands perform?
A: A Motown show had half the audience on their feet, dancing either at their seats or in the aisles and in front of the stage. The star of an Elton John show, who may not have had the icon’s voice, more than made up for it with his showmanship and the way he beat the life out of his piano.
It would have been impossible for the Billy Joel performer to sing all the classics, but he hit a ton of them. And close your eyes and the Cher show could have been Cher on stage. (She’d done her homework, too, and it showed in the way she worked the audience.)
The music of Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson entertained on the more mellow side. The Chicago band we saw — paying tribute to one of my favorites — had a terrific horn section. The Eagles band had us singing our way out of the theater.
Q: You clearly like hearing these bands. Is there a downside?
A: Sometimes a band just isn’t good. A group paying tribute to Michael and Janet Jackson and The Jackson 5 fell pretty short of what we were expecting.
Q: How do you find these concerts?
A: Check online. Facebook has numerous groups dedicated to activities at specific spots, such as Tradition. More established venues, such as the theaters, have their own websites. Troll the internet and get on their email lists.
Q: Are these concerts expensive?
A: Sometimes an outdoor venue or “party in the park” is free. Good seats at the Treasure Coast’s traditional theaters can cost you around $100 each. But there’s plenty of good music here between the two.
Arnie Rosenberg is TCPalm’s Watchdog Editor. Reach him at arnie.rosenberg@tcpalm.com.