Concert Guide March 2025: Tyler, The Creator, Missio, Kraftwerk, moe., Iris, Grushecky, The Clarks, and Deasy

This month there’s not much in the way of big acts besides Tyler the Creator at PPG Paints Arena. If this is the calm before the summer concert storm, then let’s focus on the other talented performers visiting the ‘Burgh and several of the amazing hometown heroes who are our local icons.

Country riser Ashley Cooke plays Stage AE. Jam band moe plays Mr. Smalls. Daniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats are in the concert at the Pete. Mickey Thomas’ Starship lands at the Palace. Early German electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk work their magic at Stage AE. And Missio can be seen at Crafthouse. City Winery Hosts Marshall Crenshaw and James Mastro.

There’s two cool double bills this month with hometown heroes. One is Donnie Iris and The Cruisers and Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, The other is The Clarks with Bill Deasy. Zack Keim has an album release party at Spirit.

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

Saturday, March 1

Ashley Cooke rose out of Parkland, Florida on a country music journey to play her music and enjoy some success. She independently released the album Already Drank That Beer – Side A in 2021. It was rereleased under the same title, sans Side A, in 2022 and featured an updated version of “Never Til Now” sung with Brett Young. The duet peaked at no. 49 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, supported by a push from her label, Big Loud. In 2023 Cooke released Shot in the Dark, the single “Your Place” reached no. 2 on the Airplay Chart. She will be performing at Stage AE on her Your Place tour. Opening is Greylan James. Doors open at 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Blvd., North Shore. (R.H.)

Sunday, March 2 

There’s nothing like a good jam band, and the guys named moe. have been doing it at a high level for a long time. The group has opened for global acts such as the Allman Brothers Band and The Who, while headlining gigs have included New Year’s Eve concerts at Radio City Music Hall. With such an impressive tour history, moe. has gained a faithful following of “moe.rons” (their word) since the band’s 1989 formation in Buffalo, New York. They are prolific in the studio, too, with 13 full-length albums plus an EP (2020’s Not Normal) so far. Their latest album is this year’s Circle of Giants. Pulling from rock, blues, and jazz, the band seems to enjoy the performances as much as its audiences. With many songs like “Rebubula” lasting over 10 minutes, you won’t want to forget your dancing shoes. Jam with moe. at Mr. Smalls Theatre. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (C.M., M.V.)

Friday, March 7

Dusseldorf, Germany’s Kraftwerk was an early adopter and innovator in electronic music. The group was part of the early ’70s rock scene in that country dubbed krautrock. They then transformed into more of an electro pop dance band that released commercially successful albums like Autobahn, The Man-Machine, and Computer World. Kraftwerk was recognized for their influence on the music industry and artists with a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2014. Proving they still had more in the tank, the group won a Grammy in 2018 for Best Dance/Electronic Album with their live album 3-D The Catalogue. Kraftwerk was also was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 in the early influence category. See the influential group at Stage AE on their Multimedia Tour 2025 – 50 Years of Autobahn. Doors open at 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (R.H.)

Missio, consists of two main members, founding member Matthew Brue (frontman/songwriter/producer) and David Butler (songwriter/producer). The genre bending alt pop group formed in 2014 in Austin, Texas. Missio had early success when in 2017, after signing with RCA Records, released the single “Middle Fingers,” which peaked at no. 9 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. The band’s name is derived from the Latin name for mission. Brue had that name tattooed on his arm after recovering from a drug addiction. Missio, has released four albums and is gold certified. Their latest album is a big one with 26 songs. I Am Cinco was released last March. The new album has been described by the band as, “Fuses elements of rock, electronic, indie, and hip-hop into an unmatched and uncompromising hybrid collating 5 EP’s and 5 moods into one: ‘I Am Sad, I Am High, I Am Awesome, I Am Angry, I Am Crazy.’ I Am Cinco is a beautiful creation that delves into all of the complex emotions involved in human existence.” Special guest is Layto. 8 p.m. Crafthouse Stage & Grill, 5024 Curry Rd., Whitehall. (R.H.)

Saturday, March 8

Zack Keim is perhaps best known as the lead singer and guitarist for garage rock band, The Nox Boys. He has been charting a new course for himself over the last few years as a solo artist. Those efforts are starting to pay off and Keim has released his second album, Battery Lane. on Evan Westfall of CAAMP’s label Super Sport Records. Westfall was also a contributor to the album. It’s been described as being, “Retro-twinged pop sheen and a bright folk-driven optimism.” Keim has cited influences like The Beatles and Laurel Canyon pop folk music. Battery Lane was produced by Jake Hanner of Pittsburgh-based, Donora; and Animal Scream. Keim stops at Spirit for a hometown show on an international tour that also sees him performing in Canada, Spain, Germany, and the U.K. Also on the bill are Kahone Concept, Ames Harding & The Mirage, Sunny Daze & The Weathermen. 6 to 11 p.m. 242 51st St., Lawrenceville. (R.H.)

Friday, March 14

The Clarks continue to build on their foundation of playing solid working-class rock. The group gained a strong local following in the early ’90s gigging at clubs like Graffiti and Nick’s Fat City and have remained together and active long after nearly every other band on the scene during that era called it quits. After over 35 years, 11 albums, countless gigs and zero line-up changes, The Clarks have gone from being a regional favorite to a local institution. And the band members, who formed The Clarks at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, have never forgotten their home turf. Their most recent studio album is 2018’s, Madly in Love at the End of The World, released on the Clarkhouse Entertainment label, although the group has released a retrospective album, a live album, and an EP since then. Streaming now is a new single, “No. 9.” The Clarks say about it, “It was written by Noah Minarik and Greg Joseph, and as described by the band, ‘The story of persuasion and manipulation is nothing new. How many times we fall for it is the real story, the weakness of the fool. Is she a friend, a lover or a family member? Noah brought in a very cool dark musical groove and a killin’ bass line. From there Greg added a story to match. Scott refined the vocals and the band created a song that pulses into a new musical direction.’” The Lamp Theatre March 14 and 15. 8 p.m. 222 Main St., Irwin. (R.H.) 

Saturday, March 15

Area native Donnie Iris, aka King Cool, is performing at the Palace Theatre with his band, The Cruisers. It is a celebration of his 82nd birthday. Sure to be on the set list are top favorites including “Ah Leah” and “Love Is Like a Rock.” Iris was once a member of the Pittsburgh group The Jaggerz in the early ’70s who had a monster hit with the “The Rapper,” which reached no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He additionally went onto join Wild Cherry after their big hit with “Play That Funky Music.” Iris has overcome some recent health issues to continue rockin’ at a very high level. (R.H.)

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.” In 2024 Grushecky released Joe Grushecky Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology and on July 12 released a fantastic new album with The Houserockers, Can’t Outrun a Memory. (See our story and interview with Grushecky regarding the making of the album.) A track from the LP, “This is Who We Are” made Little Steven’s Underground Garage Coolest Songs in the World 2024. Grushecky has also just released a CD version of his 1981 recording with the Iron City Houserockers, Blood on the Bricks. Catch Iris and Grushecky with their respective bands at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre. 7 p.m. 21 W. Otterman St. (R.H.)

Sunday, March 16

Jefferson Airplane was a seminal rock group in the 1960’s, even performing at Woodstock in ’69. There have been several offshoots to the band after members departed. Mickey Thomas joined Jefferson Starship in 1979 as the lead vocalist, after the departure of Grace Slick and Marty Balin, and recorded several hits including “Jane,” “No Way Out,” and “Find Your Way Back.” In 1985 the band evolved into Starship and scored no. 1 hits with “We Built This City,” “Sara,” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” The other current offshoot that tours is Jefferson Starship. Isn’t rock ‘n’ roll grand! Shiva Skydriver opens. 6 p.m. The Palace Theatre, 21 w. Otterman St., Greensburg. (R.H.)

Pittsburgh’s City Winery has a concert on tap that should make for quite an evening. It features two highly skilled, hard-rocking singer/songwriters who are touring together: Marshall Crenshaw and James Mastro. Crenshaw is celebrating 40+ years in show business, with a stellar track record that has included 10 studio albums, seven live albums, and recurring guest spots on David Letterman’s TV shows. Meanwhile, James Mastro is celebrating a current event. He’s got a new solo album just out, Dawn of a New Error (which includes the song in the video above). Mastro first won notice as a teenager in New York’s punk scene, playing venues such as CBGB and Max’s Kansas City. Later he was a member of seminal alt-rockers The Bongos, and in the early ‘90s he formed the alt-country band Health & Happiness Show, for whom he was lead vocalist. A guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, Mastro has performed with a host of major artists, from Patti Smith and Ian Hunter to Robert Plant. Catch him and Marshall Crenshaw on stage while you can. Doors open 5:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. 1627 Smallman St., Strip District. (M.V.)

Wednesday, March 19

This Americana-inspired phenom has been called spiritual but not religious. He once told Rolling Stone he was going for an R&B-inflected sound like a cross between The Band and Sam & Dave. Most of all, Nathaniel Rateliff and his bosom-buddy bandmates just plain tear it up—as they’ve been doing since the 2015 release of their self-titled debut album, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats. (Which featured the electrifying single “S.O.B.” shown above.) You could say their music reflects the lead singer’s roots. Rateliff was raised in small-town Missouri in a devout church-going family, and got his start playing in worship bands. But he’s also seen hard times—occasionally made harder by hard drinking—and at one point, worked as a janitor at the high school he’d dropped out of. Rateliff eventually settled in Denver and cut a few solo releases before teaming with longtime friend Joseph Pope III to form the Night Sweats. You might have seen the band perform on “The Tonight Show” or “Saturday Night Live.” Now they’ll be live in Pittsburgh. Touring in support of their fourth album, last year’s South of Here, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats play at Petersen Events Center with guests The Teskey Brothers. 7:30 p.m. 3719 Terrace St., Oakland. (M.V.)

Friday, March 28

It’s not fair to call Tyler, the Creator “polarizing.” It makes him sound like a pair of high-end sunglasses. Whereas in fact, Tyler Gregory Okonma is a high-end hip hop artist, with a pair of Best-Album Grammy Awards and many other accolades, including—believe it—a Music Innovator Award from The Wall Street Journal. But Tyler does generate a bit of controversy. During his earlier, shocking horrorcore period, he was banned from performing in the United Kingdom, and the video for his song “Yonkers” is still prefaced with a trigger warning on YouTube. He also has said he’s gay but gets criticized for using homophobic slurs in his lyrics. Then again—taking the high-end high road—Tyler, the Creator has composed the score for a Louis Vuitton fashion show, and is prone to speak or sing French in some songs. (Though not in a certain endearing couplet from “That Guy,” which goes “‘Cause brodie said ‘Don’t even press the issue’ / Yellow boogers in my earlobe, I need a tissue.”) Now the gentilhomme visits Pittsburgh on a tour for his eighth studio album, last year’s Chromakopia. Tyler, the Creator performs at PPG Paints Arena with guests Lil Yachty and Paris Texas. 7:30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (M.V.)

Other Shows of Interest

Friday, March 7
Andy Frasco (Roxian Theatre)
Ken Karsh (Con Alma)

Saturday, March 8
8th Street Rox (Hollywood Casino at The Meadows)

Friday, March 14
The Delaney’s (Rivers Casino)

Saturday, March 15
The Granati Brothers and Norman Nardini (Moondog’s Pub)
Bria Skonberg Quintet (MCG Jazz)

Monday, March 17
Selwyn Birchwood (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Saturday, March 22
Rufus Wainwight (City Winery)

Sunday, March 23
Spyra Gyro (The Oaks Theater)
Colter Harper Trio (Con Alma)

Tuesday, March 25
Toth Trio (Con Alma)

Thursday, March 27
The Yellowjackets (Greer Cabaret Theater)
Roger Humphries (Con Alma)

Friday, March 28
Chase Matthew (Rivers Casino Event Center)
The Eldorado Band and Justin Fabus (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)
Scott, Rob, and Greg of The Clarks (Rivers Casino)

Saturday, March 29
Bill Deasy & The Rambling Souls (Pittsburgh Winery)

Sunday, March 30
Pure Gold (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Big Shows on the Horizon

April 5
Disturbed (PPG Paints Arena)

April 12
Kelsea Ballerini (PPG Paints Arena)

April 13
St. Vincent (Stage AE)
Ani DiFranco (Roxian Theatre)

April 21
Bob Dylan (Benedum Center)

April 23
Lyle Lovett (Palace Theatre)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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