June 2024 Concert Guide: Chesney, Richie, Hootie, T-Pain, Bleachers, Brothers Osborne, and The Beach Boys

Bleachers is a fun and talented bunch. Photo: Alex Lockett)

It’s time once again in Pittsburgh for the start of the summer concert season. The Kenny Chesney Navy is tied up outside of Acrisure Stadium in anticipation of their favorite country performer. Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney, and Uncle Kracker will also be performing. The other big shows have several performers or acts on the same bill, like Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire; Robert Plant and Alison Krauss; New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul, and Jazzy Jeff; and Modest Mouse and Cat Power. Brothers Osborne will be providing some additional country twang. Performer, producer, and Taylor Swift friend, Jack Antonoff brings his band, Bleachers, to Stage AE. Innovative rap artist T-Pain plays the North Side venue as well. The ever popular Hootie & the Blowfish play Star Lake. Classic rockers The Beach Boys bring their summer soundtrack for an outdoor show at Stage AE. On the hometown heroes front iconic blues and soul singer Billy Price is having a record release event for his new album Person of Interest.

Guide features (in chronological order) Spotlight Picks, Other Shows of Interest, and Big Shows on the Horizon. Get out and see what pleases you, whether it’s one of our concert picks or something entirely different. Mike Vargo (M.V.) also contributed to this guide.

Spotlight Picks

Saturday, June 1

People will be partying in the parking lot and on boats with their boots on before country superstar Kenny Chesney takes the stage for a Acrisure Stadium concert. One of the most accomplished  and popular names in country music, Chesney has released over 20 albums, that have spun off more than 40 Top Ten singles. He’s also a successful crossover artist with many of his songs hitting the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 32 of his singles have reached number one on several country charts. After studying advertising at East Tennessee State and playing local bars, Chesney moved to Nashville and began his amazing rise. His latest album is Born, which was released in March. Chesney’s current tour is the Sun Goes Down tour. Special guests are Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney, and Uncle Kracker. 5 p.m. 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore. (R.H.)

Wednesday, June 5

Bleachers will perform at Stage AE. The band is the project of Jack Antonoff, who has quite the resume for someone still a few years shy of 40. He was a member and multi-instrumentalist in the rock group fun, who are arguably best known for the song “We Are Young.” Bleachers have released four albums, the most recent of which is 2024’s self-titled album, Bleachers. He is heavily influenced by fellow New Jersey native, Bruce Springsteen. They teamed up on the song “Chinatown” from Bleachers’ previous album, Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night. Antonoff is an eleven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, and also a noted producer. He has worked with Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, The 1975, Diana Ross, Lorde, and St. Vincent. Antonoff produced the soundtrack to the 2018 movie Love, Simon. The soundtrack features four Bleachers tracks as well. Antonoff is married to actress Margaret Qualley who is featured in their video for the new song “Tiny Moves.” Special guest is Samia. Doors open 6:30 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (C.M., R.H.)

Friday, June 7

Modest Mouse formed in Issaquah, Washington, in 1992. The group saw mainstream success with 2004’s Good News for People Who Love Bad News and its hit lead single, “Float On.” 2007’s We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank was another big album for them. Some members have come and gone, but frontman Isaac Brock is a constant. The group’s most recent album is 2021’s The Golden Casket. Cat Power was born Charlyn (“Chan”) Marshall in Atlanta. She released a series of acclaimed records from the mid-’90s through the early aughts, including a covers album in 2000. Her cover of “Sea of Love” also appeared on the soundtrack to the 2007 film Juno. Cat Power released The Greatest in 2006. Not a greatest hits album, but rather a collection of bare-bones originals, it is arguably “the greatest” record in her discography, released over a decade into her career. “Living Proof” is a beautiful song about love and doubt. Her 2012 album, Sun, seamlessly melded elements of electronica with blues. Her latest album is 2022’s Covers. On it she covers songs from a diverse group of artists including Bob Seger, Iggy Pop, Billie Holiday, and Lana Del Ray. They will perform an outdoor concert at Stage AE. Doors open 6 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (C.M., R.H.)

Pittsburgh blues/soul/rock legend Billy Price is celebrating his latest album, Person of Interest, with a record release party at the Syria Shrine Center in Cheswick. Person of Interest contains the most original songs ever on a Billy Price album. Plus his list of session musicians is quite impressive and includes the renowned guitarist Joe Bonamassa. Price has 50+ years as a performer in the music industry. He was nominated for the 2023 BMA (Blues Music Awards) for Soul Blues Male Artist award. Price cut his teeth as a vocalist for the late, great guitarist Roy Buchanan. He then started Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band, best known for songs like “Eldorado Cafe” and “Lickin’ Stick” and albums like Free At Last. In addition to Price, the band featured legendary musicians such as the late Glenn Pavone, Eric Leeds, and others. He’s also leads the Billy Price Band and works as a solo artist. Price’s album with the late Chicago soul singer Otis Clay, This Time for Real, won a 2016 Blues Music Award. His next two albums, Reckoning and Dog Eat Dog were both nominated for Blues Music Awards. And in 2020 Price was nominated for BMA’s Best Male Soul Blues Artist. If all those accolades are not enough, he was also inducted into the Pittsburgh Rock Legends Hall in 2016. Price released a new 3-CD compilation, 50+Years of Soul, on Get Hip Recordings last September. Check out his new and old faves at the release party. Special guest is Billy the Kid & The Regulators. 7:30 p.m. 1877 Shriners Way. (R.H.)

Billy Price is always ready for his next gig.

Wednesday, June 12

Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, and songwriter, T-Pain is bringing his larger than life Mansion In Wiscansin Party Tour to Stage AE this month. T-Pain‘s  debut single, 2005’s “I’m Sprung,” charted at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another early hit was when T-Pain did “I’m on a Boat” with the Lonely Island crew from “Saturday Night Live.” In T-Pain’s new single “Dreaming” he created a 3D animation of himself after learning Blender 3D animation software. He has also teamed up with Snoop Dogg on “That’s How We Ballin,” Meghan Trainer on “Been Like This,” and he recently announced a new duo project with Young Cash–Bluez Brothaz. Earlier this year T-Pain went viral for his On Top of The Covers (Live From The Sun Rose) performance which showcases the innovative artist’s powerful vocals and dynamic voice. T-Pain has also been known for his skillful use of auto-tune. Special guests are LaRussell, NandoSTL, and Young Ca$h. 6:30 p.m. Outdoor show. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (R.H.)

T-Pain in all his glory. (Photo: Giles Williams)

Saturday, June 15

Rockers and R&B performers have been venturing into the red-hot country music genre in recent years. One collaboration between rock and country that’s been going on for quite awhile now is between former Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant and country-bluegrass artist Alison Krauss. She is one of the leading performers of bluegrass/country music, with a staggering 27 Grammy Awards so far. The Decatur, Illinois, native started early, learning the violin in childhood, then releasing an indie album as an early-teen prodigy in 1985. Not long after, she joined the band Union Station and has stayed with them for the duration. Krauss has also done solo work and collaborated with artists ranging from Plant to Yo-Yo Ma. Her rendition of the folk hymn “Down to the River to Pray” for the 2000 Coen Brothers film O Brother, Where Art Thou? was a vocal masterpiece. Krauss’s latest album is 2021’s joint album with Plant, Raise the Roof. Plant is also famous world-wide for being in one of the greatest rock and roll bands ever. Plant’s big hits with Led Zeppelin include “Ramble On,” “Rock and Roll,” “Going to California,” and a little ditty you may have heard of—”Stairway to Heaven.” JD McPherson opens. 7 p.m. The Pavilion at Star Lake,  (M.V., R.H.)

Sunday, June 16

Lionel Richie fans will be “Dancing on the Ceiling” (figuratively) “All Night Long” (at least until 11 p.m.) to those Richie songs at PPG Paints Arena. He is appearing with another R&B group, Earth, Wind & Fire. For many years Richie was the main lead singer of the legendary group, The Commodores, known for top songs including “Brick House,” “Sail On,” “Just To Be Close to You,” and “Three Times a Lady.” He is also a judge on the hit ABC Network competition show, “American Idol.” Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the most successful soul/funk bands of the late ’70s and early to mid ’80s. There are many reasons for the band’s success, mainly the musical genius of EWF’s leader, the late Maurice White. White fused musical genres together, including soul, funk, African rhythms, gospel, rock, and jazz. He combined that with a tight band of top-notch musicians, including a horn section, mystical lyrics and staging, and the soaring voice of Philip Bailey. White and Bailey were the two lead singers with Bailey possessing a beautiful falsetto voice with a four-octave range. 1975’s That’s the Way of the World was the band’s first big album and produced the hits “That’s the Way of the World,” “Shining Star,” and “Reasons.” EWF has received 20 Grammy nominations, winning six as a group and White and Bailey garnering two individual awards. White’s brother Verdine is the longtime bassist for the band and Bailey’s son, Phillip Bailey Jr. is also in EW&F with his pop. Their joint Sing a Song All Night Long tour begins at 7:30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H.)

Wednesday, June 19

OK Gen Xer: The Pavilion at Star Lake is hosting a 1980s-’90s blowout with New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. These artists are not nearly as ancient as the boomer-era musicians still active. Abdul is the only one able to qualify for Social Security—she turns 62 on the day of the concert, so wish her a happy milestone—and all are primed to show that they’re hitting a new prime. New Kids on the Block, built around then-teenaged rapper Donnie Wahlberg, were credited with blazing the trail for many boy bands that followed. Their Magic Summer mega-tour traveled the globe from 1990 into ‘92—and then they disbanded in 1994. But NKOTB reunited in 2008 and are now touring in support of their new album Still Kids. Paula Abdul had a meteoric early career, triggered by her 7x platinum debut album Forever Your Girl in 1988. Over the years she’s emerged as a multitalented star, with stints as a dancer/choreographer, a judge on TV talent shows, and of course a topnotch vocalist. DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jeffrey Townes) was once a youthful block-party sensation in Philadelphia. Teaming with his famous buddy Will Smith, he acted on Smith’s NBC-TV sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” while scoring hip-hop hits with him as part of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. These days, the ebullient Jazzy Jeff is mostly Just Jeff, and that’s plenty. Catch NKOTB, Abdul, and Jeff all on one sonic stage at Star Lake. 7 p.m. 665 PA Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (M.V.)

Thursday, June 20

Country duo Brothers Osborne is composed of two brothers, T.J. (lead vocals) and John (guitar, backing vocals). Growing up in Deale, Maryland, they were inspired by the music in their father’s record collection, formed a band, and sought their fortune in Nashville. The Brothers’ gamble paid off when their first three albums reached No. 3, 2, and 4 respectively on the Billboard Country Chart. So far they’ve won six Academy of Country Music Awards—most recently as 2022’s Vocal Duo of the Year—along with five CMA Awards and a Grammy. In 2021, T.J. came out as gay, becoming the first openly gay lead artist signed with a major country label (in the Brothers’ case, EMI Nashville). The latest releases from the duo are last year’s self-titled Brothers Osborne album and this year’s four-song EP Break Mine. Expect to hear music from both when the Brothers visit Pittsburgh on their Might As Well Be Us Tour, accompanied by their traveling band and guests The Cadillac Three. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Under the sky at Stage AE, 400 N. Shore Dr., North Shore. (M.V.)

Saturday, June 29

“Time,” indeed. The last time Hootie & the Blowfish were in town was the first time they had toured in years. The alt rockers’ 2019 Group Therapy Tour marked the end of a long hiatus which, except for occasional one-off gigs, had put the band in suspended animation since 2008. Now they’re back, and this is welcome news. The band’s rep as having one of the worst names ever is just plain wrong—see if you can come up with a name more distinctive and memorable than Hootie & the Blowfish—while so much about the group is just right. Legendary frontman Darius Rucker is fronting again. They’ve still got a 21X platinum album, 1994’s Cracked Rear View, in their repertoire. The band is known for laudable charity work, and for striking covers as well as original music—the latest being a cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth”—and they can still rock with anyone. That’s why they are booked into the big Pavilion at Star Lake on their Summer Camp with Trucks Tour. Guest artists are Collective Soul and Edwin McCain. 7 p.m. 665 PA Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (C.M., M.V.) 

Sunday, June 30

Mike Love, a founding member and singer/songwriter for the quintessential American pop-rock band—The Beach Boys—brings his version of that band to Stage AE. Former bandmate, and cousin Brian Wilson has his version of the band too. Love did reunite several years back with Brian Wilson and other surviving original members for a tour and album, and he performs tonight with his band under the Beach Boy’s banner. The Beach Boys created many top hits, including, “Surfin’ USA” (which Wilson wrote lyrics for and was heavily influenced by Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Little Sixteen”). After some wrangling Berry received a co-writing credit), Other top tunes include “California Girls,” and “I Get Around.” Love has also written in a different medium, his memoir Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy was a New York Times Bestseller. This an outdoor show at Stage AE so watch out for beach balls floating around. Doors open at 3 p.m. 400 North Show Drive, North Shore. (R.H.)

Other Shows of Interest

Tuesday, June 4
Keb Mo (Palace Theatre)

Thursday, June 6
Firehouse (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Friday, June 7
Air Supply (Palace Theatre)

Saturday, June 8
Dave Mason (Palace Theatre)
Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors (Rivers Casino)
Aris Paul Band Record Release Show (Funhouse at Mr. Smalls)

Sunday, June 9
Lita Ford (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Monday, June 17
Little Feat and Los Lobos (Carnegie Music Hall of Oakland)

Tuesday, June 18
Jon Anderson’s Yes (Palace Theatre)
Lucinda Williams (Byham Theater)

Friday, June 21
Christone Kingfish Ingram (Mr. Smalls Theatre)
Airborne (Hollywood Casino at The Meadows)

Saturday, June 22
The Clarks (Stage AE)
The Silencers (City Winery)
Four Chord Music Festival (Carrie Furnace)
Bill Toms and Hard Rain (Moondog’s Pub)

Thursday, June 27
Sheila E (City Winery)

Friday, June 28
Quinn Sullivan (City Winery)

Sunday, June 30
Nied’s Hotel Band (Baja Bar & Grill)

Also see our Summer Guide for additional shows around town.

Big Shows on the Horizon

July 2
Red Hot Chili Peppers (Pavilion at Star Lake)

July 12
Chris Stapleton (Pavilion at Star Lake)

July 13
Bret Michaels Party Gras (Pavilion at Star Lake)

July 15
Charlie Crockett (Stage AE)

July 18
O.A.R. and Fitz and the Tantrums (Stage AE)

July 19
Ludacris (Hollywood Casino at The Meadows)

July 20
The Flaming Lips (Stage AE)

July 27
Def Leppard, Journey, and Steve Miller Band (PNC Park)
Joe Grushecky Album Release Show (City Winery)
Guster (Stage AE)

July 31
Styx & Foreigner (Pavilion at Star Lake)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

Share on Social Media