Bootsy Collins to Funk Up Hartwood; One Direction Rising at Heinz Field (Sun., 8/2/15)

1) Born William Collins, sometimes known as “Bootzilla,” the bassist best known as Bootsy Collins will be bringing the funk, his Rubber Band, and a pair of star-shaped sunglasses to Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater as part of the Allegheny County 2015 Summer Concert Series. In 1968, Bootsy formed his first group, The Pacesetters, who would later become the original J.B.’s, James Brown’s backing band. The original J.B.’s were featured on some of Brown’s funkiest cuts, including “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine.” In the early ‘70s, Bootsy became not only a member of George Clinton’s Funkadelic but also a major contributor to the sound of the group and its sister act, Parliament. In 1976, Bootsy formed Bootsy’s Rubber Band, an ensemble which furthered the P-Funk landscape with tracks like “Bootzilla,” a No. 1 R&B hit. Bootsy has yet to allow dust to collect on his star-shaped sunglasses. He still tours regularly, and, in 2011, he released the solo album Tha Funk Capital of the World, featuring the likes of Ice Cube and Samuel L. Jackson, among others. 7:30 p.m. Middle Rd. Hampton and townships. (CM)

2) Living proof that sometimes it’s better to come third, boy band One Direction are bringing their “On The Road Again” show to Pittsburgh. The band came together on the 2010 season of British television talent show “The X Factor” and had to settle for third place (beaten by Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson, in case you’re wondering), but they have been winning at everything ever since. 1D are touring their fourth album, the aptly titled Four, and introducing fans to their new slimmed-down line-up after the departure of band member Zayn Malik in March. Four hasn’t had quite the chart domination of their previous albums, but singles “Steal My Girl” and “Night Changes” both went platinum in the U.S. Their first album, Up All Night, sold more than 2 million copies in the U.S., while the worldwide smash hit “What Makes You Beautiful” peaked at No. 4 on the charts. For a sneak preview of what to expect at the show, check out a celeb-studded behind-the-scenes video the band has posted online. Swedish duo Icona Pop opens. 7 p.m. Heinz Field, 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore. (HM)

3) Santa Rosa, California indie-rockers The Velvet Teen have just released their fourth studio album, All Is Illusory, in time for their summer tour. The album comes nine years after their last full-length release, 2006’s Cum Laude!, although they’ve put out an EP in the intervening time. On the band’s Facebook page, they describe their genre as “grunge, amirite?” but their output has swirled from electro-pop to prog-rock (they also describe themselves as an “international shape-shifting band of mystery”). The first release from the new album, “The Giving In,” is similarly undefinable—with a pounding baseline and simmering drums, but light, soaring vocals. The current band lineup of Casey Deitz, Josh Staples, and Judah Nagler perform under what was originally the name of Nagler’s solo project. With Edhochuli and Atlas. 9.30 p.m. Brillobox, 4104 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. (HM)

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