Coldplay, South Side Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. and Grace Potter in Area Concerts (Thurs., 8/4/16)

1) If you’ve been near a television, smartphone, or radio, or if you watched the Super Bowl 50 halftime show this year, you’ve probably heard the synth-y guitar hook from Coldplay’s “Adventure of a Lifetime.” The ubiquity of this hook speaks to the continued relevancy of Coldplay, a British four-piece arena rock band which just turned 20. (Although, in 1996, the then-duo was called Pectoralz. Starfish came next and finally Coldplay.) In 2000, “Yellow” caught the ears of music-listeners around the world and their sophomore album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, canonized them as rock royalty on par with U2 and Radiohead. And like U2, Coldplay are also known for their humanitarian work; Amnesty International is one of their prominent causes. Into the 2000s, more albums followed, and the band become one of the most commercially successful music artists in the world. They shared the stage of this year’s Super Bowl halftime show with Beyoncé and Bruno Mars. Now they come to another sporting arena—Consol Energy Center. Alessia Cara and Foxes open. 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (CM)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EJyo4ZU1HI

2) Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes are bringing their wall-of-sound to Jergel’s Rhythm Grille tonight. The band features a New Jersey rock sound complemented by a talented horn section. Southside Johnny’s first three albums were arranged and produced by the co-founder of the band and Bruce Springsteen associate Steven Van Zandt. The albums were mainly composed of songs written by Van Zandt and/or Springsteen. They are known for songs “Trapped Again,” “Without Love,” and “We’re Having A Party.” Gary Douglas opens. 8 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale. (RH)

3) Billed as “a celebration of American roots music,” the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, showcases blues, country, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, and soul. Nearly 30 acts are scheduled. One of them is Grace Potter, hot off of the release of 2015’s Midnight and returning to the festival for a Thursday concert after appearing there last in 2009. She is a living survey of American music, having performed with Kenny Chesney, The Rolling Stones, and alternative psych-rockers The Flaming Lips. Charles Bradley, who will be playing with His Extraordinaires, has similar crossover appeal. He is a soul singer known for covering Black Sabbath’s “Changes.” Many Pittsburgh acts, both old and young, from the Billy Price Band to Bastard Bearded Irishmen, will perform as well. The festival takes place at Peoples Natural Gas Park. Its origins hark back to a 1989 street fair that commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Great Johnstown Flood. This year, the festival begins Thursday, August 4 and runs through Sunday, August 7. 90 Johns St., Johnstown. (CM)

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