December Concert Guide: Mariah Carey, TSO, Justin Timberlake, Kansas, Bobby Brown, and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

Mariah Carey performing her Merry Christmas to All concert at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, in 2022. (Photo: Heartfox and Wikipedia)

The holiday season has arrived ad the Queen of Christmas will be visiting Pittsburgh (PPG Paints Arena) for a concert with her loyal subjects. Another big annual extravaganza is Trans-Siberian Orchestra, also at PPG. Straight No Chaser will provide a smooth elixir to the holiday season as well. Justin Timberlake brings his popular song and dance show to PPG. Kansas is playing the last show of their Another Fork in the Road tour at the Benedum. Heinz Hall hosts bad boy Bobby Brown. And continuing the traditions of jam bands playing around or on New Year’s Eve, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong ring it in on the latter at Mr. Smalls. If you get sick of all the good tidings and joy, get some glam rock debauchery with Steel Panther at the Roxian. And an act that is sure to melt any icicles off of Greensburg’s Palace Theatre is the Allman Betts Family Revival.

This is also a great time of year with local talent playing concerts. Some of the hometown heroes performing are Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Bill Deasy, Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors, and Justin Fabus.

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

Tuesday, December 3

Some ingredients go very well together, like ice cream and hot fudge sauce. Another tasty combination is the Allman Betts Family Revival. The group consists of sons of some of the players in the former Allman Brothers Band. This includes Devon Allman, Duane Betts, and Berry Duane Oakley. Other notables performing in a The Last Waltz-style program include: The Allman Betts Band, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Anders Osborne, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison, Robert Randolph, and Sierra Green. Devon Allman is the son of the late Gregg Allman and Shelly Jefts, while Duane is the son of  longtime Allman Brothers’ lead guitarist Dickey Betts and Paulette Howell. Duane was named after Allman Brothers’ band co-founder Duane Allman, who was a lead guitar virtuoso. The latest Allman Betts Band album is Bless Your Heart, which was released in 2020. Some Allman Brothers Band songs played on the set list are from both the Duane Allman 1970’s era and the 1990’s comeback period. 8 p.m. Place Theatre, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. (R.H.)

Friday, December 6

There’s musical comedy, and then there is comical music. The latter has a long tradition and comes in many varieties. Classical pianist Victor Borge performed stunts like playing “The William Tell Overture” backwards. Weird Al—well, everybody knows Weird Al. But only hardcore comical music fans know Steel Panther. The boys from L.A., led by founder and longtime front man Michael Starr, are glam-metal rockers who parody the genre while doing a pretty mean job of playing it. With songs like “Gods of Pussy” and “Fuck Everybody,” their humor is obscene, politically incorrect, and unashamedly sophomoric … because hey, when it comes to glam metal, what do you expect, a PhD dissertation? The band’s landmark single “Death to All But Metal” makes the case vividly. Lately the guys have even added a subtler brand of social commentary, as in the plaintive ballad “On Your Instagram.” They’re now touring in support of their sixth studio album, On the Prowl. Steel Panther visits Pittsburgh on their Feel the Steel 15th Anniversary tour. Reserve promptly to catch Steel Panther live and in throbbing personhood at the Roxian Theatre. Stone Horses open. 425 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks. (M.V.) 

Tuesday, December 10

A cappella singing garnered a loyal audience with movies like Pitch Perfect and TV shows like “Glee” having had huge fan bases. See what all the buzz was about with Straight No Chaser at the Benedum Center. The group’s 2013 album, Under the Influence, features the likes of superstars Rob Thomas, Dolly Parton, and Phil Collins, among others. SNC’s 9 intertwining voices make for a rich, smooth sound, kind of like a fine bourbon (thus, the name). Don’t expect traditional alma mater tunes though. When covering songs like Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours,” SNC shows us that a cappella is not only relevant but also worth seeing live. The group’s latest album is this year’s 90s Proof. 7:30 p.m. 237 7th St., Cultural District. (E.C., R.H.)

Wednesday, December 11

Mariah Carey is an amazing American pop vocalist. Having been blessed with a five-octave vocal range singing voice, she has had fantastic success on the song charts. Among Carey’s many accomplishments: Her first album topped the US Billboard 200 for 11 consecutive weeks. She was the first and only artist to have their first five singles reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and her “One Sweet Day” (with Boyz II Men) became the longest-running U.S. number-one single in history. Carey has won five Grammy Awards, 10 American Music Awards, 19 World Music Awards, and a staggering 20 Billboard Music Awards. She also has overcome obstacles, including a period of emotional exhaustion from her bipolar II disorder. Nor is Carey the least bit shy about extending her legacy. Her autobiography is titled The Meaning of Mariah Carey. She’s known as a gay icon and a femininity (as distinct from feminist) icon, and in 2021 she tried (unsuccessfully) to trademark her unofficial title as the “Queen of Christmas.” Mariah Carey visits Pittsburgh on her Christmas Time Tour. 7:30 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H., M.V.)

Prog-rock group Kansas, is actually from Kansas, Topeka specifically. The group has a heartland rock sound that was a sweet mix of vocal harmonies, keyboards, guitars, drums, and violin. Kansas didn’t get a really big taste of success until the albums Leftoverture (1976) and Point of Know Return (1977), with hit singles: “Carry On Wayward Son,” “Point of Know Return,” and “Dust in the Wind.” Kansas has generated three multi-platinum albums. Their latest release is 2020’s, The Absence of Presence. The band is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Several members have left the band or have passed on. Two original members remain, the group is still very popular. Expect to hear top Kansas songs and deep cuts. 7:30 p.m. Benedum Center, 237 7th St., Cultural District. (R.H.)

Friday, December 13

Country music performer and Pittsburgh native, Justin Fabus plays Rivers Casino this month. He has had much recent success, even penning a song, “Somebody Like You” with Richard Marx. Fabus’ latest release is this year’s EP 4×6. He has spent time in Nashville working on his recording projects. Fabus says about his most recent effort, ​“4×6 paints a picture. These songs are like snapshots in time. You can close your eyes and see each one play out in your head. I hope listeners can really put themselves in my shoes. The goal is to trigger a memory—whether it’s good or bad. Even if it’s not the best memory, maybe the particular song will be able to help someone through a situation.” It should be a really good situation when Fabus and his band play Rivers Casino. 9 p.m.  777 Casino Dr., North Shore. (R.H.)

Saturday December 14

Back when posters of boy bands adorned the bedroom walls of every teenage girl in the country, naysayers said all those J Crew model-esque pretty boys would be exiled from the limelight in 10 years—and the naysayers were mostly right, but not in the case of Justin Timberlake. The ever-charismatic breakout star from ’N Sync has shown rare staying power, contributing songs like “Cry Me a River” and “SexyBack” to the canon of 21st-century classics and branching out to movies. You remember him as a devil-may-care dot-com guru in The Social Network. He also voiced Branch in 2016’s Trolls and recorded “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” for its soundtrack. Through it all, Timberlake hasn’t taken himself too seriously; his sly, self-referential humor made him an often-invited-back host of “Saturday Night Live” (a show on which he’s won four Emmy Awards, to go with his 10 Grammys). His sixth and newest album is this year’s Everything I Thought It Was. Catch Justin Timberlake in Pittsburgh on his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, with special guest Andrew Hypes. 7:30 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (C.M., M.V.)

Justin Timberlake performing at the Pilgrimage Festival in September 2017. (Photo: Mark Briello and Wikipedia).

Saturday, December 21

In 1996, musician/rock band manager Paul O’Neill hit upon the idea that Christmas tunes could be totally progressive and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra was born. The TSO plays holiday music, traditional and originals, with a Rush level of elaboration and technical skill, all of which has racked up millions of album sales. You probably know the band’s wailing, synth-infused version of “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo,” a.k.a. “Carol of the Bells.” It’s one of the most hardcore tracks that DJs pull out every December. Music like this deserves the arena treatment, with a great light show and all, so the TSO tours major venues at the holiday season annually. Paul O’Neill passed away from chronic health problems in 2017, and bassist Dave Z (David Zablidowsky) died that year too, in a motor vehicle accident. But the band plays on—surely, as these men would have wished—and the TSO visits PPG Paints Arena for matinee and evening performances, with a cast of dozens taking part. The show is billed as “The Lost Christmas Eve,” a new version of the final chapter of the orchestra’s Christmas Trilogy. 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H./M.V.) 

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra performing at the Hershey Giant Center in 2004. (photo: Matt, TSO, and Wikipedia)

Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors are one of Pittsburgh’s top rock/jam bands. They are very active on the local music scene, playing brewery shows, Allegheny Summer Concert Series, Rivers Casino, festivals and even the Pittsburgh Earth Day festivities at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. The Sun King Warriors have been working on a new album for the last two years and released it recently. Jim Donovan was one of the members of Rusted Root, a very successful jam rock band in the 1990’s. 9 p.m. Rivers Casino, 777 Casino Dr., Chateau.  (R.H.)

Thursday, December 26

Bill Deasy’s musical career had been successful with the Penn Hills native performing solo shows and in a band called Shiloh. It took off to a higher level in a Grove City apartment when he and a few locals got together for a jam session. Those guys, and Deasy became The Gathering Field, the ’90s-era regional favorite with the big hit “Lost in America.” Since that humble beginning, Deasy has stacked up a résumé that would help him “make it” in a place like New York or L.A. He’s had a contract with Atlantic Records, opened for Springsteen and Dylan, and his “Good Things Are Happening” was a theme song for a “Good Morning America” video. Yet he’s remained rooted in Pittsburgh. In particular, Deasy likes to celebrate the day after Christmas here with his annual Boxing Day show—that’s an official holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, and other British-related countries, as you may know—so join him for a tuneful Boxing Day at Club Cafe. 8 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. (R.H.)

Saturday, December 28

The first thing to know about singer-songwriter-rapper Bobby Brown is that he’s still performing. This might surprise some people, as Brown was known for many things in the past, but hasn’t been in the spotlight lately. In 1978, at age 12, Brown teamed with youthful friends in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood to found New Edition, one of the first of the era’s boy bands. He left the group in 1986 and scored a mega-hit with his 1988 solo album Don’t Be Cruel, which went 7x Platinum. His song “On Our Own” was the theme for the 1989 film Ghostbusters II. From 1992 to 2007, Brown was married to Whitney Houston, in a stormy pairing that was documented in the raucous reality series “Being Bobby Brown,” but nonetheless lasted a decade and a half. At various times Brown has done other TV work and played occasional reunion shows with New Edition. Now Bobby Brown brings his R&B Ladies Nite Out concert tour to Pittsburgh, with Jagged Edge and special guest Ginuwine. It’s part of the CECEE Heinz Hall Presents series at (where else?) Heinz Hall. 8 p.m. 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (M.V.)

Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers are Pittsburgh rock royalty that have risen through several incarnations—from the Brick Alley Band to Joe Grushecky and the Iron City Houserockers to the unit’s present day form—Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers—to become one of Pittsburgh’s top bands. Over the years Grushecky’s sound is one of both hard-driving rock and roll and insightful ballads. The lyrics and music seek higher ground, and find it. Top songs include “Pumping Iron,” “Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive),” and “Rock and Real.” Grushecky has recently released Joe Grushecky Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology and on July 12 released a fantastic new album, Can’t Outrun a Memory. Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers are riding the big success of Can’t Outrun a Memory with a Houserockers Holiday Extravaganza at Crafthouse Stage and Grill. The holiday show will also feature a special Iron City Houserockers reunion with Ned Rankin, Marc Reisman, and Gil Snyder. See our story and interview with Grushecky about the new release. 7:30 p.m. 5024 Curry Rd. Whitehall. (R.H.)

The Houserockers (l. to r.): Johnny Grushecky, Danny Gochnour, Joe Grushecky, Joffo Simmons, and Jeff Garrison.

Tuesday, December 31

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, along with Lotus have been two of the main bands who have helped Pittsburghers jam in the New Year. This year, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong have the honor of ushering in New Year’s Eve as the headliner at Mr. Smalls Theatre. Combining funk, rock, and electronica, the band members create feel-good, laid-back tunes in a Grateful-Dead-meets-Sublime kind of way. The result is as unique as their name. They always bring energy to their fans, called “The Flock,” who just can’t get enough. The group formed in 2009 in Baltimore and released its first LP, preposterously titled Funk EP, in 2010. Since then, the album titles have stuck to the P-motif of the band’s name: Psychology in 2014, Pleasure in 2016, Pizazz in 2017, Presto in 2020, and Perspective in 2022. Their latest LP, Day in Time, breaks the run of “P” titles. Even if jam bands aren’t your thing, the subtle island undertones in songs like “Couldn’t We All” may leave you asking the bartender for a little umbrella in your drink. Mihali opens. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (C.M., R.H.)

Other Shows of Interest

Tuesday, December 3
Tony Campbell (Greer Cabaret Lounge)

Wednesday, December 4
Justin Heyward (Palace Theatre)
Frank Cunimondo Trio (Con Alma)

Friday, December 6
Norm Nardini (Moondog’s Pub)
The Mazeroski’s (Hollywood Casino at The Meadows)
Ken Karsh Trio (Con Alma)

Saturday, December 7
Christian Sands (MCG Jazz)
Jimmy Adler (Moondog’s Pub)
Noel Quintana and the Latin Crew (Con Alma)

Monday, December 9
The Jesus Lizard (Stage AE)
A Very Yinzer Christmas (Benedum Center)

Thursday, December 12
Tim Stevens Project (Con Alma)

Saturday, December 14
Billy Price (Lamp Theater)

Sunday, December 15
Squirrel Nut Zippers (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Tuesday, December 17
Tony Martucci Earth Tones (Greer Cabaret Lounge)

Wednesday, December 18
The Smithereens (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Thursday, December 20
Black Ridge (Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall)

Saturday, December 21 & Sunday, December 22
Chris Jameson (City Winery)
The Commonheart (Mr. Smalls Theatre)
Ruff Creek (Hollywood Casino at the Meadows)
28 North (Thunderbird cafe and Music Hall)

Saturday, December 28
The Clarks (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Monday, December 30
New Invisible Joy (Club Cafe)

Big Shows on the Horizon

January 16
G. Love and Special Sauce (Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall)

January 17
Rubblebucket (Mr. Smalls Theatre)

January 25
Lotus (Mr. Smalls Theatre)

January 26
Drive-By Truckers (Mr. Smalls Theatre)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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