Greta Van Fleet, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Joe Jackson, and Panic! At the Disco Play Area Concerts (Wed., 7/18/18)

1) When the Greta Van Fleet show was announced several months back and sold out quickly, my curiosity was piqued. I had heard of the band, but hadn’t really heard any of their songs. I checked out a few of Greta Van Fleet’s videos on YouTube and saw what the attraction was—they are a melodic, hard rocking band that is very reminiscent of Led Zeppelin. Lead singer Josh Kiszka’s wailing vocals sound evocative of Led Zeppelin’s lead singer, Robert Plant, who reportedly likes the group. Some people have called out the Frankenmuth, Michigan band for those similarities. Whether they have or haven’t flown too closely to previous stars’ works, Greta Van Fleet has created music that people wanted to hear and did it well. Greta Van Fleet is composed of the brothers Kiszka—Josh, Sam (bass guitar/keyboards), and Jake (lead guitar)—and Danny Wagner (drums). The group’s name is from the name of a hometown resident, Gretna Van Fleet, who gave them her OK. They are a relatively young band, just formed in 2012, but have enjoyed great success. From the Fires, their EP which was released in November 2017, hit No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. hard rock chart and No. 4 on the U.S. rock chart. Special guest is Cloves. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Stage AE, 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. 

2) The Grammy Award-winning Tedeschi Trucks Band plays KeyBank Pavilion. Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks are band mates and a married couple. They formed the band in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2010 after both had already tasted career success. Trucks was a member of the Allman Brothers for a number of years, fronted his own band, and worked on projects with many musicians, including Eric Clapton. He’s known as one of the guitar greats and was ranked No. 16 on Rolling Stone‘s list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time in 2011. Before becoming a headliner of her own, Susan Tedeschi opened for top acts like B.B. King, Bob Dylan, and even the Allman Brothers (that’s how they met in 1999). Known for her pleasant vocals, she is a respected guitarist in her own right.  The Tedeschi Trucks Band has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and won one in 2012 for the album Revelator. Before flying the banner of Tedeschi Trucks Band, the two collaborated in their previous band, Soul Stew Revival. Their soulful, blues-rock twelve-piece band is a big reason for their success. Additionally, their tour is called the Wheels of Soul 2018 Tour. Opening is Drive-By Truckers and The Marcus King Band. 7 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. 

3) To baseball historians, Joe Jackson was the great outfielder accused of conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series in the controversial Black Sox scandal, but there’s another Joe Jackson, who is active on the music scene today—and he’s a five-tool player. This modern Jackson writes, sings, plays piano and keyboards, and blows a sax. His many genres include rock, pop, jazz, classical (!), and an updated version of big-band swing. Jackson started performing music in 1970 at the age of 16, and he is still creating new material at 63. Over the years, he has moved from his native England to New York to Berlin, released 20 studio albums, and performed with multitudes of various bands, ad-hoc combos, and collaborating artists. Jackson’s latest album is 2015’s Fast Forward, and he’ll be here at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall. 8 p.m. 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall. (MV)

4) Panic! at the Disco headline PPG Paints Arena. The band released its debut, the infectious A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, in 2005. Its latest is Pray for the Wicked, which was released this June and preceded by “Say Amen (Saturday Night),” the album’s lead single. Frontman Brendon Urie appeared on Broadway in 2017 as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots. Opening is Hayley Kiyoko, who played Mr. Smalls in June while promoting her debut LP, this year’s Expectations. Arizona also opens. 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (CM)

Share on Social Media