November Concert Guide: Kacey Musgraves, Dave Matthews Band, Iron Maiden, Billy Ocean, Cold War Kids, and Girl in Red

Kacey Musgraves performing at Primavera Sound in Barcelona, Spain in 2022. (Photo: Raph_PH and Wikipedia)

There’s a few big country concerts this month. The two top ones—Kacey Musgraves and Little Big Town, are both at PPG Paints Arena. Former Florida Georgia Line member Tyler Hubbard brings his band to the Roxian. The Dave Matthews Band, long a stalwart of the summer concert season at Star Lake, marches into PPG Paints Arena. Want some metal? How about Iron Maiden, also at PPG Paints Arena. It will be “Simply awesome” to get your ’80s funk on with Billy Ocean at Rivers Casino. Want a slightly different groove? Then jam with Tropidelic at Mr. Smalls. Cold War Kids play Stage AE. Girl in Red is there too.

Hometown heroes do us especially proud this month. Bill and Joyce Toms are having their annual benefit concert at City Winery. Top bands of the ’90s are reuniting for a big concert at Stage AE.

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

Friday, November 1

Are you ready for Christmas? It’s never too soon to ask, and Little Big Town is visiting Pittsburgh to get you in the mood. The two guys and two gals of this country music quartet are touring in support of their new album, titled simply The Christmas Record. The release is a mashup of original songs with old standards like, believe it or not, “Santa Claus Is Back in Town.” Combining the new with the familiar has been a staple of the group since they formed in Homewood, Alabama in 1998. All four original members continue to record and tour together. There’s no lead singer; they either harmonize or take turns as the lead. And they’ve scored a series of crossover hits through 11 studio albums and numerous awards, including Grammys and CMAs. The plaintive 2015 single “Girl Crush” was one of Little Big Town’s many songs to chart on both country and popular radio. In a different vein, they’ve done raucous numbers like 2020’s  “Wine, Beer, Whiskey.” And of course they are inductees of the Grand Ole Opry. Little Big Town plays at PPG Paints Arena with guest artists Sugarland. 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (C.M., M.V.) 

Saturday, November 2

Billy Ocean,’ 80’s dance/music superstar, will get the crowd moving with his hits “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run),” “Loverboy,” “Dance Floor,” “Suddenly,” and more. “Caribbean Queen” was a No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Black Singles Charts and won Ocean the Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. The Trinidadian-English singer’s 2013 album, Here You Are: The Best Of, features his renditions of songs that influenced him in his life. His most recent album is 2020’s One World. 7 p.m. Rivers Casino Events Center, 777 Casino Dr., Manchester. (R.H.)

When Tyler Hubbard came to Pittsburgh five years ago, it was as part of the country duo Florida Georgia Line with his good friend Brian Kelley. Together the fellows had racked up a slew of hit songs and awards, but eventually each wanted to go solo, so in 2021 they did. Now Hubbard—a native of Monroe, Georgia—revisits on the strength of the momentum he’s been building since then. His first studio album was last year’s self-titled release and this year he’s out with another, called Strong. There’s nothing super-exotic in his composing or performing. Mostly Hubbard does good old feel-good country, often delivered with his signature hearty smile. Tyler Hubbard plays the Roxian Theatre with guest artist Alana Springsteen. 7 p.m. 425 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks. (M.V.)

Wednesday, November 6

Cold War Kids formed in Long Beach, California, in 2004. They released their debut album, 2006’s Robbers & Cowards, two years later. Early singles, such as “We Used to Vacation” and “Hang Me Up to Dry” set the template for their sound: metaphorical lyrics, twitchy instrumentation, and frontman Nathan Willett’s bluesy voice. 2014’s Hold My Home featured the hit single “First.” It went to number one on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart. The band’s been pretty prolific the past few years. In 2019, they released New Age Norms 1 followed by New Age Norms 2 in 2020. Then New Age Norms 3 in 2021. And most recently a self titled album in 2023. Cold War Kids are on their 20 Years Tour. Husbands is also on the bill. Doors open at 7 p.m. Stage AE. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (C.M., R.H.) 

Friday, November 8

Heavy metal gets no intellectual respect! The fans have been called headbangers. Many band members dress like preteens acting out macho-Goth fantasies, and the music itself often calls to mind the famous line about why heavy metal has to be played really loud: “Turn it down and you lose all the lack of nuance.” Ah, but Iron Maiden bucks the stereotypes. Despite being quite loud, the legendary English band trades in nuance, and even in intellect. Vocalist Bruce Dickinson has a university degree, writes novels, and for years hosted a BBC radio show. Bassist Steve Harris developed his own distinctive playing style, fusses over details of the band’s sound, and writes songs about historic and classical subjects. (“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is based on Coleridge’s 1798 poem, in which a sailor shoots a charmed albatross, bringing a deadly curse on his ship. Frontman Dickinson once introduced the song by saying “This is what not to do if a bird shits on you.”) Now—after 17 studio albums and many awards—Iron Maiden visits Pittsburgh on the band’s Future Past World Tour. Guest artists are Mongolian metal band The Hu. 7:30 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (M.V.)

Sunday, November 10

Kacey Musgraves, a native of Golden, Texas is known for her beautiful pop country ballads. She knew from a young age that she had a talent for singing and songwriting. Musgraves even wrote and performed a song for her grade school graduation. Along the way to stardom she has done many things, worked as a Hannah Montana impersonator for children’s birthday parties, won a yodeling national championship, and with her duo partner in Texas Two Bits performed at President George W. Bush’s Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball. Musgraves came in seventh place on the television talent show “Nashville Star.” She then toured and self-produced several albums. Her major label debut studio album in 2013, Same Trailer Different Park, gave her first big taste of success. Rolling Stone called the album’s “Follow Your Arrow” the 39th Best in it’s list of the Top 100 Country Songs at the time. More success came with the release of her fourth album Golden Hour in 2018. It spun off the hot tracks “Slow Burn,” “Butterflies,” “Space Cowboy,” and “High Horse.” Musgrave’s rich, melodic voice and creative musical arrangements sent those songs up the charts too. Deeper Well is her latest album and was released this March. It debuted at no. 2 on the Billboard 200 Chart with the title track doing very well. Musgraves embraces her sexuality and was the first performer to play nude on “Saturday Night Live” (2021), albeit with crossed legs, dim lighting, strategically placed guitar, and cowboy boots. For a limited edition cover of Deeper Well she is lying naked in a field of grass in a fetal position with her back to the camera. Catch this very talented pop country artist at PPG Paints Arena. Special guests are Lord Huron and Nickel Creek. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H.)

Friday, November 15

Fresh off their recent induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Dave Matthews Band comes to Pittsburgh. “Ants Marching” or “Gravedigger?” “Crash Into Me” or “Crush?” So go the speculations as to what Dave and his bandmates will put on the setlist. Formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991, the group soon established itself as a premier live act. Their mix of rock, jam, and jazz has moved hearts and feet across generations, drawing legions of loyal fans. According to the Pollstar data service, DMB ranks second only to U2 in number of concert tickets sold worldwide over the past 40 years. They’re also exceptional in the studio with 10 studio albums released, seven of which have debuted at number one. Their newest is last year’s Walk Around the Moon. One of their biggest hits, “Crash Into Me,” was the pillar of the throwback soundtrack to 2017’s critically acclaimed movie Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut. Catch the Dave Matthews Band at PPG Paints Arena. 7:30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (C.M., M.V.)

Friday, November 22

 Tropidelic is a Cleveland-based band—cofounded and fronted by Pittsburgh native Matthew Roads. They play a mellow but lively repertoire infused or least inspired by reggae. Listening to Tropidelic, you get the feeling that rock just isn’t complete without a trombone. Or a trumpet or other such horns. You’ve also got to love songs like “Alcoholic,” a whimsically honky-tonk-ish treatment of a serious subject, composed by a certain band member after his grateful segue into recovery. Tropidelic’s latest album is this year’s Royal Grove. Catch Tropidelic at Mr. Smalls Theatre. Special guests are Kash’d Out and The Quasi Kings. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (M.V.) 

Wednesday, November 27

How about a rock event for a great cause? The Joyce and Bill Toms 17th Annual Thanksgiving Benefit Concert will not only raise the decibel level but will also raise funds and awareness for PAAR (Pittsburgh Action Against Rape). Performing are Bill Toms & Hard Rain (featuring The Soulville Horns), plus special guest the Jimmy Adler Band. Also scheduled to perform are Pete Hewlett, Rick Witkowski, Shari Richards, Bubs McKeg, Stevee Wellons, Helene Milan, Billy the Kid, Marc Reisman, Dave Dodd, Bethany James, Patti Spadaro, Wil Kondrich, Andrea Pearl, Jeff Bober, John DeCola and many more. 7 p.m. City Winery, 1627 Smallman St., The Strip District. (R.H.)

Friday, November 29

Girl in Red (Marie Ulven Ringheim), the Norwegian singer-songwriter who opened for Taylor Swift in Pittsburgh and several other tour stops in 2023, returns to the ‘Burgh for a show at Stage AE. Topics of her first two EP’s, which were recorded in her bedroom, were romance and mental health. Her debut solo album in 2021, If I Could Make it Go Quiet won her praise and three Norwegian Grammys. Her most recent album is this year’s I’m Doing It Again Baby, was released in April. Special guest is Gigi Perez. Doors open at 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore (R.H.)

Saturday, November 30

South Side’s Nick’s Fat City was the high temple of local Rock and Roll in the 1990’s. Now they’re getting the gang (the bands) back together. Scheduled to appear at the Stage AE reunion show are The Clarks, Gathering Field, Brownie Mary, Buzz Poets, Grapevine, Vibro Kings, and Push. Relive the good times and make new memories. Doors open at 4 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (R.H.)

Other Shows of Interest

Saturday, November 2
Nick Carter (Carnegie of Homestead)
Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers (Rivers Casino)

Sunday, November 3
Richard Shindell and Mark Dignam (Club Cafe)
Etta Cox (Con Alma)

Tuesday, November 5
Craig Davis Trio (Greer Cabaret Lounge)

Thursday, November 7
Goose (Petersen Events Center)
Dar Williams (City Winery)
Samantha Fish (Carnegie of Homestead)

Friday, November 8
Three Dog Night (Palace Theatre)

Saturday, November 9
Abdullah Ibrahim (MCG Jazz)

Monday, November 11
Tommy Castro (Jergel’s)

Tuesday, November 12
Mark Strickland Quartet (Greer Cabaret Lounge)
Don Aliquo Quartet (Con Alma)

Wednesday, November 13
Ronnie Baker Brooks (Pittsburgh Winery)

Friday, November 15
O-Town (City Winery)

Saturday, November 16
The Clarks (The Palace)
The Delaney’s (Rivers Casino)

Sunday, November 17
Matisyahu (Thunderbird Cafe)

Tuesday, November 19
Dawes (Carnegie of Homestead)
Dave Budway & Ron Affif (Greer Cabaret Lounge)

Thursday, November 21
Cahal Dunne (The Palace Theatre)

Sunday, November 24
Pentatonix (PPG Paints Arena)

Monday, November 25
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (Byham Theatre)

Friday, November 29
Buzz Poets (Pittsburgh Winery)
Chalk Dinosaur Ensemble (Thunderbird Cafe)

Saturday, November 30
Justin Fabus (Crafthouse)
Punchline (Roxian Theatre)

Big Shows on the Horizon

Monday, December 9
A Very Yiinzer Christmas (Benedum Center)

Tuesday, December 10
Straight No Chaser (Benedum Center)

Wednesday, December 11
Mariah Carey (PPG Paints Arena)
Kansas (Benedum Center)

Saturday December 14,
Justin Timberlake (PPG Paints Arena)

Saturday, December 21
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (PPG Paints Arena)

Saturday, December 28
Bobby Brown (Heinz Hall)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

Share on Social Media