Concert Guide September 2024: Green Day, Nicki Minaj, Willie, Dylan, Pitbull, Jeff Lynne, and Meghan Trainor

Green Day playing a show in New Jersey in 2010. (Photo: Daniel D’Auria and Wikipedia)

September starts out with a musical bang with Green Day and The Smashing Pumpkins leading the bill at PNC Park (might as well use PNC for something productive). Don’t sit down as three days in Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper play the Pavilion at Star Lake. Continuing September’s strong opening, Nicki Minaj is in concert at PPG Paints Arena. Next up Meghan Trainor is bringing the bass to The Pete. OK, we can finally sit down and chill out a little as James Taylor brings his pleasing soft rock songs to Star Lake. Jeff Lynne returns to PPG Paints Arena for the second time on his farewell tour with his ELO. Willie Nelson brings his Outlaw Music Festival back with partners in crime, Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp. Pitbull and T-Pain are having a party at Star Lake. The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival features national and local talents preforming including Average White Band, Maysa, Shemekia Copeland, Howie Alexander, and Sean Jones.

The Concert 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

Sunday, September 1

Green Day, the multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-award-winning, stage-musical-spawning, Californian punk rockers, play at PNC Park in support of their new album Saviors. It’s not often that a group’s career highs are 10 years apart, but such was the case for Green Day, who wowed Generation X with 1994’s Dookie and then Millennials with 2004’s American Idiot, the latter of which inspired a Broadway musical. Pop-punk heirs Fall Out Boy inducted Green Day into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, the trio’s first year of eligibility. Saviors is their 14th studio album but on the current tour they also promise to play Dookie and American Idiot in full.  The concert itself should be quite full, as special guests include The Smashing Pumpkins. Best known for the vocals of frontman Billy Corgan and songs like “1979” and “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” the Chicago-bred alt rockers have a new album of their own: Aghori Mhori Mei, released digitally just recently. Rounding out the bill are Rancid and The Linda Lindas. Musical medleys and rock revels commence at 5:30 p.m. 115 Federal St., North Side. (C.M., M.V.)

Tuesday, September 3

Rob Zombie should feel right at home in Pittsburgh as we are, thanks to George Romero, arguably the zombie capital of the world. Zombie, who once worked as a production assistant on the TV show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” caught the zombie bug from Bela Lugosi’s 1932 horror film White Zombie. He used that name for the shock rock band he fronted. In 1996 he legally adopted the name Rob Zombie. A very successful rock artist, he’s sold over 15 million records worldwide. Zombie has also directed several horror films. This zombie will not eat any brains as he is a vegetarian and even rescues farm animals in need. His latest album is 2021’s, The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy.

Alice Cooper rose to fame in the early 1970s with the hits “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “School’s Out,” and “I’m Eighteen.” When Cooper first appeared on the rock radar, he shocked not only with horror imagery, but also with how hard and well he rocked, setting the stage for many rock/metal groups to follow. He blended horrific makeup and onstage props like guillotines, electric chairs, fake blood, baby dolls, snakes, and dueling swords with high-quality rock and metal music. Rolling Stone called Cooper the world’s “most beloved heavy metal entertainer.” His dad was a preacher for The Church of Jesus Christ (the Bickertonites) which was headquartered in Monongahela, PA, and now in Greensburg. Cooper was raised in Detroit and then Arizona. He is a very accomplished amateur golfer. In 2018, Cooper performed as King Herod in NBC’s live performance of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. His concert is sure to be a music and theatrical event. Cooper’s most recent album is 2023’s Road. It was recorded live with his band and features the tracks “I’m Alice,” and “White Line Frankenstein.” The latter featured guitarist Tom Morello, as a guest artist. Zombie and Cooper are on the Freaks on Parade Tour which will scream into the Pavilion at Star Lake. Ministry and Filter are also on the bill. 6 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (R.H.)

Alice Cooper and his band in concert during Halloween Night of Horror at Wembley Arena, London, England, 2012. (Photo: Kreepin Deth)

Friday, September 6

Hip-hop superstars don’t just rap and sing. They make themselves into full-blown cultural phenomena, and few have done it better than Nicki Minaj. Along with her many music awards, she’s won a Fashion Los Angeles award as Fashion Rebel of the year. Whereas many musicians have fanbases, the Trinidadian-born artist has fierce female followers who know her personal history inside out and consider her an inspirational role model. Minaj dazzles audiences and critics alike with her flamboyant performances, witty lyrics, and versatility. She even creates alter egos—personas that embody different aspects of herself—and last year, her rambunctious “Red Ruby” persona was made into a playable character model in the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. She furthermore is known for her fragrance lines, her feuds, her philanthropy, and much more—but let’s talk music. Nicki Minaj visits PPG Paints Arena on her world tour built around last year’s Pink Friday 2 album. The tour is subtitled “Gag City Reloaded.” Scheduled guest artists are Bia and Skillibeng.. 9 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (M.V.) 

Large numbers happen on the internet, but let’s face it, over 2.6 billion views for a YouTube music video is a lot. If each viewer watched only once, it would equal almost one-third of the population of the world. And that’s how many hits, so far, Meghan Trainor has gotten for her 2014 breakthrough single “All About That Bass.” Trainor herself is a young woman who has tended to be on the large side. The kicky, doo-woppy song is a high-flying promotion of positive body image. It was the featured track on her 2015 major-label debut album, Title. Since then, Trainor—a seriously skilled musical artist, from a musical family—has released five more albums while winning various awards, scoring TV appearances, playing voice roles in animated movies, getting married, and having a couple of kids. Currently she’s touring in support of her latest album, this year’s Timeless. But in fact, time flies! Catch Meghan Trainor while she’s still just 30 in her concert at Petersen Events Center. With special guest Chris Olsen. 6:30 p.m. 3719 Terrace St., Oakland. (C.M., M.V.)

Saturday, September 7

James Taylor—one of the best soft rock and folk artists in American music since the late ’60s—continues to enthrall live audiences with his comforting songs, accomplished acoustic, guitar work, and melodic voice. Taylor’s first big hit was “Fire and Rain,” which reached no. 3 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in 1970. Many other successful songs followed, including “You’ve Got a Friend” and “Handy Man.” The man is a six-time Grammy Award-winner and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He often collaborated with Carole King, and they teamed up for the last concert ever held at the Civic Arena, which was a sellout.

Taylor is a champion who’s overcome many obstacles and continues to create and perform at a very high level. He was married to fellow singer Carly Simon for a time, and they have two children from the marriage. James Taylor plays the Pavilion at Star Lake. His latest, and 20th studio LP is 2020’s American Standard.  Let’s hope the tradition of Taylor performing concerts in Pittsburgh continues for a long time. 8 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (R.H.)

Tuesday, September 10

Some “farewell tours” turn out not to be a band’s or a singer’s final road show, so it’s reasonable if you are skeptical about this one. However: would you risk missing a last chance to hear Electric Light Orchestra in concert? The English prog-rock band—now performing as Jeff Lynne’s ELO—visits Pittsburgh on its Over And Out Tour. Lynne had co-founded  ELO in 1970 in Birmingham, England, along with fellow songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood and drummer Bev Bevan. Early ELO made waves—literally, sonic waves—by combining classical orchestral sounds with eerie, spacey effects and hard-driving rock. A prime example was “Fire on High,” the opening track of their 1975 album Face the Music. Then from 1986 onward came a series of hiatus periods and re-formations, of which the latest restart began in 2014 under the Jeff Lynne’s ELO flag. On tours, the group has reprised original ELO hits like “Evil Woman” and “Turn to Stone,” as well as playing newer compositions from their 2015 album Alone in the Universe and 2019’s From Out of Nowhere. Experience Jeff Lynne’s ELO at PPG Paints Arena. With special guest Rooney. 8 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H., M.V.)

Saturday, September 14

Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” and we’re very lucky because he’s stopping in the ‘Burgh to entertain us. He’ll be headlining the Outlaw Music Festival as it swings by The Pavilion at Star Lake with its strong lineup of top musicians and groups. Nelson is a singer/songwriter/author/activist/businessman and more. He’s had a storied career that includes a Kennedy Center Honor. In 1993, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. One of the founders of Farm Aid, which started in 1985 to help struggling farmers, Nelson was inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2011. Nelson’s been known to “inhale” and has claimed to have smoked marijuana on the roof of the White House. His 2012 book, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road, is a memoir that became a New York Times Top Ten Best Seller.

First and foremost for Nelson is the music. In 1973, turned off by the conservative nature of the Nashville country music scene, he was a founding member of a branch of the industry in Austin, Texas, called outlaw country. Other members included Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings, who joined Nelson to form the outlaw country supergroup The Highwaymen. When Nelson plays, he is joined by musical associates he calls The Family. Nelson is an extremely prodigious writer of songs and recorder of albums, he has 74 solo albums to his credit. 2024 saw him releasing two albums: The Border and Last Leaf on the Tree. With this annual Outlaw Music Festival event, he’s sure to play many old and new favorites, including “Always on My Mind” and “Whiskey River.”

Willie Nelson. photo: David McClister

It’s been a long, long time since Pete Seeger introduced an up-and-comer named Bob Dylan to the crowd at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. At the next year’s Newport, Dylan was booed when he showed up with an electric guitar. Decades later, Dylan was chastised globally for not showing up at all to accept the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature. But in between and ever since, he’s done quite a bit of showing up. The Dylan curriculum vitae to date includes: 40 studio albums plus bunches of live albums, bootleg albums, and other recordings and collaborations, in genres and styles from folk to talking blues, rock, country, Christian, covers of Frank Sinatra ballads … and a genre that one might simply call “Dylan.” So many of his songs are iconic that space does not permit a list. And though his lyrics have been analyzed extensively for deep meanings, the fact remains that Dylan is a musician, who loves to play and sing live. And what a rich catalogue of songs he has to choose from. His most recent album release is last year’s Shadow Kingdom. (M.V.) 

John Mellencamp, who hails from Seymour, Indiana, is an authentic American singer-songwriter in the same vein as Dylan and Springsteen. After a somewhat frivolous beginning to his career when a manager forced the name John Cougar on him and he sang about his quest to find a lover who won’t drive him crazy, “I Need a Lover,” he worked his way back to his more authentic self and his real name. His songs shined a light on what was happening in the American heartland. Songs like “Jack and Diane,” “Small Town,” and “Rain on the Scarecrow.” A truly beautiful Mellencamp song is “Ain’t Even Done With the Night” with smooth vocals, saxophone, and subtle interesting drum fills. Mellencamp’s latest album, 2023’s Orpheus Descending. Orpheus Descending is his twenty fifth album and also one of  his most personal records to date Top tracks include “Hey God” and “The Eyes of Portland” focus on social issues Mellencamp continues to passionately advocate for. “The Eyes of Portland” examines the empty “thoughts and prayers” condolences offered as a solution to major tragedies and complex situations.  In addition to his rock music main gig, Mellencamp is an accomplished painter. Also on the bill is Southern Avenue. The Outlaw Music Festival begins at Star Lake at 5:30 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (R.H.)

Wednesday, September 18

Pitbull is not only a fantastic hip-hop performer, he is also a very nice guy. He was the Saturday night headliner for the UPMC Children’s Hospital Celebrity Care Fest in July. He put on a fantastic set with his band and dancers. Pitbull also gave tribute to another performer that night, the legendary Smokey Robinson. Pitbull (nee Armando Christian Pérez) rose out of his hometown of Miami, Florida. Born to parents of Cuban descent, he formulated a hot mix of Latin, hip-hop, reggaeton, and pop. Most recently, Pitbull performed at the halftime of WNBA All-Star Game in July. He’s also performed at Super Bowl and NASCAR events. Pitbull’s latest album release, Trackhouse, featured guest performances from many notables including Nile Rodgers, Lil John, Zac Brown, and tourmate T-Pain. He has been nominated for and won various music awards including a Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album for his 2016 Spanish-language LP, Dale.

Pitbull headlined UPMC’s Children’s Hospital Celebrity Care Fest Weekend’s Saturday night lineup. (Photo: Rick Handler)

Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, and songwriter, T-Pain visited Pittsburgh a few months ago on his larger than life Mansion In Wiscansin Party Tour. 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. See Pitbull and T-Pain on the Party After Dark Tour at the Pavilion at Star Lake. 8 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (R.H.)

Friday – Sunday, September 20 – 22

The time is at hand when you can hear more good jazz for less money. Most events at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival are free, and this year’s festival offers an amazing variety of acts and styles. One blast from the past is the Average White Band, a Scottish soul/funk group formed in the 1970s and still active, though far from average and no longer all-white. Hot new stars include the bassist and composer Endea Owens, who graduated from Julliard in 2018 and already has won a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Peabody Award. Fans will see and hear some familiar Pittsburgh jazz artists, like pianist Howie Alexander, combined on the bill with global talents such as the Brazilian singer-songwriter Luedji Luna. Local favorite Sean Jones is also in the lineup. Multi Grammy Award nominated blues singer Shemekia Copeland will be performing as well. The festival opens Friday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. with a special ticketed event: a performance by vocalist Maysa followed the annual Taste of Jazz party, featuring food from top Pittsburgh restaurants plus more live music. This occurs inside the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, 980 Liberty Ave., Cultural District. 

Free concerts are slated from 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, outdoors on Liberty Ave. next to the Wilson Center, with ongoing rotations of artists performing for about one hour each. Bring your own chairs and arrive early to be near the stage, as seating may stretch well down Liberty. Visit the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival website for complete schedules, profiles of all 18 featured acts, and links to buy tickets for events that require them. The 2024 festival is co-presented by the August Wilson Center and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. (M.V.)

Other Shows of Interest

Monday, September 2
Billy Price (Kickoff Rib & Music Fest)

Tuesday, September 3 and Wednesday, September 4
Steve Earle (City Winery)

Thursday, September 5
The Oak Ridge Boys (Palace Theatre)
Truth & Rites (City Winery)

Friday, September 6
The Lemonheads (Mr. Smalls Theatre)

Saturday, September 7
Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers (Flagstaff Hill)
Bill Toms and Hard Rain (Moondog’s Pub)
Black Ridge (Penn Brewery)

Sunday, September 8
Abbots Cross (City Winery)

Thursday, September 12
Chris Smither (City Winery)

Friday, September 13
Badflower (Roxian Theatre)
Charles Wesley Godwin (Stage AE)

Saturday, September 14
Crack the Sky (Oaks Theater)

Sunday, September 15
Atlanta Rhythm Section (Jergel’s)
Sexyy Red (Petersen Events Center)

Monday, September 16
Gwar (Mr. Smalls Theatre)

Tuesday, September 17
Dashboard Confessional (Stage AE)

Wednesday, September 18
Megadeath (Stage AE)
Spoon (Roxian Theatre)
Soulja Boy (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)
Old 97’s (Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall)

Thursday, September 17
Bob Mould (Thunderbird cafe and Music Hall)

Friday, Saturday 20 & Saturday, September 21
The Jayhawks (City Winery)

Friday, September 20
Staind and Breaking Benjamin (Pavilion at Star Lake)
Sierra Hull (Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall)
Right Turn Clyde (Moondog’s Pub)

Saturday, September 21
Bachman Turner Overdrive (Palace Theatre)
The Record Company (Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall)

Sunday, September 22
Maggie Rose (Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall)

Monday, September 23
Seether and Skillet (Stage AE)

Wednesday, September 25
The Airborne Toxic Event (Roxian Theatre)
Rainbow Kitten Surprise (Stage AE)

Thursday, September 26
Switchfoot (Roxian Theatre)

Friday, September 27
Tesla (Hollywood Casino at The Meadows)
Soul Coughing (Mr. Smalls Theatre)

Saturday, September 28
The Psychedelic Furs (Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall)
Neko Case (Roxian Theatre)
Barenaked Ladies (Rivers Casino Events Center)Elle King (Stage AE)

Sunday, September 29
The Suicide Boys (PPG Paints Arena)

Big Shows on the Horizon

October 1
Lake Street Dive (Stage AE)

October 5
Jelly Roll (PPG Paints Arena)

October 13
Billie Eilish (PPG Paints Arena)

October 18
Sturgill Simpson ( Petersen Events Center)

October 19
The Outlaws (Palace Theatre)

October 24
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall)
Soul Asylum (Mr. Smalls Theatre)

October 26
Lainey Wilson (Petersen Events Center)
The Dropkick Murphys (UPMC Events Center)

October 29
The Black Crowes (UPMC Events Center)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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