Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Back in the ‘Burgh; Meghan Trainor Plays The Pete (Sun., 9/11/16)

1) The first song that I can remember hearing by multi-Grammy-award winner Bruce Springsteen was “Born to Run.” I loved the music and the lyrics! What I especially noticed was what sounded like tiny bells playing throughout the song. Only later did I learn this was the result of a glockenspiel played by the late E Street Band member Danny Federici. Other early favorites were “Backstreets” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.” I then went on to ravenously enjoy every song on Darkness on the Edge of Town, which produced songs like “Prove It All Night,” and The River, which gave us “Out in the Street” and “Hungry Heart.”

Springsteen and his band are still on The River Tour 2016, though they are no longer performing the album in its entirety. But that just makes room for more back catalogue as well as more surprises. The tour began in support of Springsteen’s box set The Ties That Bind: The River Collection, which includes all of The River tracks, outtakes from those recording sessions, and more.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have had continuing success over the years despite obstacles that included the devastating losses of saxophonist Clarence Clemons and Federici. However, like great champions, they’ve moved forward and found a new path. When the sum of great musical parts come together in a positive way—as with Springsteen and The E Street Band—magic happens. 7:30 p.m. Consol Energy Center, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (RH)

2) 2014’s “All About That Bass” is part promotion of positive body image, part lampoon of the stereotypical Barbie body, part throwback to doo-wop, part present-day pop song. It all adds up to an even greater whole, a bonafide hit with over 1.5 billion YouTube views and counting. For singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, born and raised in Nantucket, Massachusetts, the fanfare is well deserved. Between the ages of 15 and 17, Trainor made three independently released albums. “All About That Bass,” her breakthrough, would appear on her debut EP, Title, and later on her 2015 major-label debut LP, also called Title. Her sophomore album, Thank You, was released this year. Singles like “No,” which promotes women’s independence, evince that at the age of 22 she is still a songwriter of substance. She’s now on her Untouchable Tour, which includes a stop at the Petersen Events Center. Hailee Steinfeld and Common Kings open. 7 p.m. 3719 Terrace St., Oakland. (CM)

3) Today is the last day for the 26th annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival at the Riverplex at Sandcastle. Great Irish musicians, storytellers, dancers and performers play all day on several stages. Entertainment kicks off at 11:30 a.m. highlights include: Cahal Dunne (12:30 p.m., Celtic Spirit Stage), A Terrible Beauty, a commemoration of 1916 w/ Tom Sweeney, Evans & Doherty, and Makem and Spain (3:15 p.m., Celtic Spirit Stage). Plenty of Irish food will be on hand and can be washed down with Irish beers, ciders and whiskies. Remember, only seven months until St. Patrick’s Day! See our story on the 2015 Irish Festival. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ends today. 1000 Sandcastle Dr., West Homestead.

4) The 47th annual A Fair in the Park  ends today in Shadyside’s Mellon Park. Promoted as a contemporary fine crafts and arts show and sale, it includes performances, concerts, food, and children’s activities. The Fair is presented by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh and Citiparks. Today’s musical highlights include several concerts by Matt Miskie and RML Jazz.Fair hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free. Ends today. Fifth and Shady Aves., Shadyside/Point Breeze.

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