97X Next Big Thing Throwback: 97X Next Big Thing 11

The 97X Next Big Thing 11 was on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at what was then called the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheater. The show was a celebration of alternative music featuring bands on the lineup from the early 90s alternative scene through the 00’s and a couple bands that would continue to elevate alternative music through 2020 and beyond. The show kicked off on the second stage early in the morning with Sleeper Agent starting at 10:40am. FUN featuring Nate Reuss and Jack Antonoff made their NBT debut (returned in 2012) in front of a packed crowd. Their set included their massive hit “We Are Young.” Grouplove made their NBT debut following FUN on the second stage. They would also return to the NBT stage in 2012. 97X favorites, Manchester Orchestra made their second of three (as of 2020) NBT appearances, having played in 2009 and they returned in 2013. The Joy Formidable kicked off the main stage with bombastic performance including their hit “Whirring.” AWOLNATION headlined the second stage at 2:25 in the afternoon. As of 2020, this is their only NBT performance. This was their third 97X show that year, having played the 97X Freebie Weebie in March and the 97X BBQ in May. Their set included the hit “Sail.” Young The Giant, who would go on to perform in 2014 and 2018 made their NBT debut with a set that included “My Body”, “Cough Syrup” and “Apartment.” Taking Back Sunday was next up with what would be their last (as of 2020) NBT performance. Cage The Elephant performed their third NBT set in as many years with an unforgettable performance which saw lead singer Matt Shultz jumping into the crowd multiple times. Foster the People made their first appearance in Tampa Bay and delivered a memorable performance. They would return to the NBT stage in 2018. Their set included the only performance of “Pumped Up Kicks” on the NBT stage since band had stopped performing the song when they played at NBT 18. Alternative legends, Bush was up next and delivered a set featuring almost 20 years of hits including “Glycerine”, “Come Down”, “Everything Zen”, “Little Things”, “The Chemicals Between Us” and the “Sound of Winter.” They also performed a cover of the Beatle’s hit “Come Together.” Next up was Ocala Florida’s own A Day To Remember with their second of three NBT performances. (They would return in 2013) Their high energy set included toilet paper, costumed characters and a selection of their hits. Sublime with Rome were NBT 11’s headliners and their 75 minute set included all the Sublime classics “Santeria”, “What I Got” and “Doin Time” and “Wrong Way.”