Dirty Heads and 311

Summer Rock Double Bill Hits Tampa's Largest Outdoor Venue

311 and Dirty Heads bring their co-headlining tour to MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre on Saturday, August 29th at 5:30 PM. The pairing makes sense—311's genre-blending rock meets Dirty Heads' reggae-rock fusion for a show built around good vibes and singalongs. With gates opening at 4:30 PM and the Florida State Fairgrounds location handling 20,000 fans, this 311 concert draws the kind of crowd that knows every word to "Amber" and "Lay Me Down."

What to Expect:

MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre splits between reserved seating close to the stage and a massive general admission lawn that stretches back toward the fairgrounds. The 5:30 start time means catching the opening acts in daylight before the headliners take over as the sun sets—prime conditions for an outdoor show. Both bands pull dedicated followings who've been tracking the Dirty Heads tour dates since the announcement, so expect a packed house singing along to decades of hits mixed with newer material.

Insider Tips:

- Lawn tickets work first-come, first-served despite any row numbers printed—arrive when gates open for the best sightlines
- Sections 1-3 put you directly in front of the stage, while Sections 5, 6, and 9 offer strong views without the center crush
- The venue operates cashless, so load up a card before you arrive or plan to use mobile payment
- Download tickets to your mobile wallet ahead of time since this show lists as non-transferable
- Blankets are allowed on the lawn, but outside chairs aren't—rental chairs are available if you get there early enough
- Concession lines thin out once the headliners start, but you'll miss prime moments

Venue Details:

- Clear bags only: 12" x 6" x 12" maximum, or small clutches up to 6" x 9" that don't need to be transparent
- No re-entry once you're inside, so commit to staying for both acts
- Nonprofessional cameras without detachable lenses are permitted for capturing the show
- The lawn provides easy access to exits and space to move around between sets
- Reserved seating includes actual chairs with room to breathe
- Service animals allowed, but leave pets at home

Getting There:

The amphitheatre sits on the Florida State Fairgrounds just off I-4 on Tampa's east side at 4802 N US Highway 301. General parking is included with your ticket and lots open two hours before gates, but construction has closed the Orient Road entrance to general admission—use the US-301 or MLK Boulevard entrances instead. Arriving before 3:00 PM triggers a $20 early parking fee from the fairgrounds. ADA parking sits across from the east side main entrance at no extra charge, and those guests can still use Orient Road. Public transit connects through several bus stops along Orient Road and East Hillsborough Avenue, with the closest platform about a 12-minute walk from the venue. The fairgrounds location means you're dealing with event traffic, so build in extra time if you're coming from downtown or the beaches.

Local Scene:

The immediate area around the amphitheatre doesn't offer much for sit-down dining, but WingHouse Bar & Grill sits less than a mile away on US Highway 301 for wings and beer before the show. Seminole Hard Rock Casino is a short drive down Orient Road with multiple restaurants and bars if you want to make a longer evening of it post-show. Quick bites come from Five Guys on Elm Fair Boulevard or Popeyes on Staley Drive, both under a mile out. Most concertgoers either eat early elsewhere in Tampa or grab something fast nearby before heading in. The fairgrounds setting means this is more about the show than the surrounding scene, so plan your food strategy around getting to the venue with time to spare.