Hall & Oates and Tears for Fears Play PPG; Elvis Costello at Heinz Hall; CHMH Hosts Michael Franti (Tues., 6/13/17)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYHTR8lupP8

1) Hall and Oates—the blue-eyed soul group that rose out of Philly in the 1970s—are bringing their stellar harmonies and back catalog to PPG Paints Arena. Billboard Magazine named the group, composed of Daryl Hall (lead vocals, piano, multi-instrumentalist) and John Oates (vocals, lead guitar), as the most successful duo of the rock era. Six No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100—”Rich Girl,” “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” “Maneater,” and “Out of Touch”—figured heavy into that accolade. Oates and Hall met while they were both students at Temple University. Although in separate bands at the time, they joined together. They achieved platinum sales status with only their second album, Abandoned Luncheonette, which contained the hit “She’s Gone.” 1975’s Daryl Hall & John Oates generated the major hit “Sara Smile” and “Camellia.”

Daryl Hall and John Oates in 2008. photo: Gary Harris and Wikipedia.

Hall and Oates rode the turbulent, changing musical tides of the late 70s and early 80s with a string of hits. As new wave took hold, they incorporated some of those new sounds into their songs while still maintaining their soul underpinnings. They remain a very popular act and sold out Stage AE on their last two visits here. Many people may know of Daryl Hall from his TV show, “Live From Daryl’s House.” Another hot band from the ’80s, English pop rockers Tears for Fears, open. The group was at its zenith in 1985 with the release of Songs From the Big Chair, which spawned the hits “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” “Shout,” and “Head Over Heels.” Allen Stone also opens. 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (RH)

2) Many remember Elvis Costello and the Attractions’ performance on “Saturday Night Live.” They began to perform “Less than Zero,” stopped, and launched into “Radio Radio,” a song which protests the commercialization of said medium. The stunt earned Costello plenty of attention in the States, where his star was already rising thanks to his debut, 1977’s My Aim Is True, and 1978’s This Year’s Model. It also got him banned from “SNL.” Costello later got his ban lifted, one of three people to do so. He performed “Radio Radio” with the Beastie Boys for the show’s 25th anniversary. Costello’s most recent album is 2013’s Wise Up Ghost, a collaboration with rap group and “Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” house band The Roots. Costello and the Imposters, his latest backing band, play Heinz Hall on the Imperial Bedroom & Other Chambers Tour. Imperial Bedroom is his acclaimed 1982 album, so expect to hear a few cuts from that LP. (This concert was rescheduled from last November after Costello refused to cross picket lines during the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra strike.) 7 p.m. 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (CM)

3) All you “Rebel Rockers” out there, make sure to catch Michael Franti & Spearhead on his Love Out Loud tour when it stops at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall. The group is like a musical blender using the ingredients of hip-hop, rock, funk, jazz, reggae, and folk to create a tasty smoothie for the ears. Franti and Spearhead have nine studio albums to their credit including All Rebel Rockers and The Sound of Sunshine, both of which occupied high chart positions on the Billboard 200—nos. 39 and 17 respectively. In addition to being a very talented songwriter and musician, Franti is a dedicated humanitarian and environmentalist. He has toured the Middle East as an advocate for peace, is a strong supporter of South Africa’s Ubuntu Education Fund, and played three separate events to commemorate President Obama’s inauguration. He has said, “I make music for one reason … I care about people and I care about the planet.” He believes that music can help us all rise up and make a better world. Franti released his SoulRocker album last June on the same day that he played the opening concert for the Three Rivers Arts Festival. He was a very gracious presence before the concert at his merchandise booth where he informally chatted with fans and signed CDs. He wrote “Once A Day,” a single from the release, for his son, who has a rare kidney disease called FSGS. The song was produced by the acclaimed Supa Dups and features special guest Sonna Rele. 8 p.m. 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall. (RH)

Michael Franti spreading love and positive energy one tune at a time. From 2016 Three Rivers Arts Festival performance. photo: Rick Handler.

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