Tommy Castro & The Painkillers

Schedule

Fri, 08 May, 2026 at 07:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN, United States, Minnesota 55403 | Minneapolis, MN

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Multiple award-winning guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Tommy Castro is a California-based blues and rock powerhouse. Here, he captivates audiences with his soul-drenched vocals, searing guitar work, and high-energy live shows. Furthermore, as frontman of the telepathically tight and wildly raucous Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, he’s released seventeen albums. Here, they span a wide stylistic range—from horn-driven R&B and hot-blooded soul to gritty, stripped-down rock and electric blues.
With his latest release, 2025’s Closer To The Bone, Castro returns to his roots. He delivers what he calls “a real blues record, the way they would have made them back in the day.” Thus, the album becomes Castro’s rawest and most direct blues effort to date.
Early on, Castro was inspired by icons like Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal, and Mike Bloomfield. Then, he absorbed everything from Ike & Tina Turner to John Lee Hooker and Buddy Guy. There, he developed a uniquely uplifting and soulful style rooted in blues, R&B, and funk. Castro formed the first Tommy Castro Band in 1992.
Castro is one of the most decorated artists in contemporary blues, winning ten Blues Music Awards. Furthermore, these include four B.B. King Entertainer of the Year honors—the genre’s highest accolade. Here, his no-frills, 150-shows-a-year approach has earned him a fiercely loyal fanbase and praise from legends like Joe Bonamassa, who says, “Tommy has always been top of the heap among blues guitar players. He always puts on a great show.”
With Closer To The Bone, Tommy Castro strips it all back to deliver an album brimming with grit, fire, and authenticity. “This is the deeper blues side of me,” says Castro. “With these songs, I am at my most authentic.”
MAY 8 • 7PM
Tickets>> https://bit.ly/4r678e7
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1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN, United States, Minnesota 55403

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