Everclear and Fuel Headline the Summerland Tour at Stage AE; Consol Center Hosts Imagine Dragons (Fri., 6/19/15)

1) Begun in 2012 as a ‘90s nostalgia fest by Everclear’s Art Alexakis and Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath, the Summerland Tour will make its usual Stage AE stop this year. When McGrath split, amicably, in 2013, Alexakis began curating more alternative acts. This year’s edition also went more early ‘00s with bands like Fuel, a post-grunge group whose 2000 single “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” was number five on Billboard’s Best of the 2000s Rock Songs chart. Not bad for a band who got started in Harrisburg. Pop punks American Hi-Fi had early 2000s success as well with “Flavor of the Weak.” Two of their members also perform as part of Miley Cyrus’ band. Next, you’ll be asking, “Do you wanna die?” when Toadies play “Possum Kingdom,” a true ‘90s alt rock hit if there ever was one. Finally, “swim out past the breakers, watch the world die” instead, or at least sing along, with headliners Everclear. “Santa Monica,” “Father of Mine,” “Wonderful”—arguably some of the best rock songs from the latter half of the ‘90s. Frontman Alexakis may be the only original member, but who cares? As long as they play the hits plus perhaps a Zeppelin medley, as they did last year, audiences both old and young will be satisfied. Doors open 6 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore.

2) The last time Imagine Dragons played Pittsburgh was at Altar Bar. Their debut album, 2012’s Night Visions, had been released a week earlier. Frontman Dan Reynolds couldn’t stop smiling during that show, like he could see all that was ahead of the band—the summertime ubiquity of “Radioactive,” a Grammy Award, and now a show at Consol Energy Center (quite the jump in venue!). The Las Vegas group, whose style draws from rock, indie, and dubstep, is touring in support of Smoke + Mirrors, their sophomore album. The album went to number one on the Billboard 200 this year and was preceded by a string of catchy singles, like “Shots,” which the band performed during a live commercial during the 2015 Grammy Awards. Metric, who have long dominated indie rock radio thanks to Emily Haines’ ear-grabbing vocals, open as well as Halsey. 7:30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

3) No Bad JuJu is an energetic eight-piece band that calls Pittsburgh home. It’s made up of veterans from all corners of the musical landscape, though most are either Pittsburgh born or educated. Vocalist Sabrina de Matteo has been performing in Pittsburgh since she sang with salsa bands in night clubs when she was 16; she’s gained acclaim for her stage work, winning the Gene Kelley Award for playing Timone in Once on This Island. Band cofounder and lead guitarist Mark Matteo has worked as a session musician with the likes of Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and ‘N Sync; he’s written and recorded music for movies, TV shows, and commercials and performed live with Bo Diddley and Peter Noone. There isn’t room to recount the accomplishments of all eight members here, so be sure to visit their site for more info. 8 p.m. NBJJ will be playing riverside at Baja Bar & Grill, 1366 Old Freeport Rd., O’Hara Township.

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