Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Play First of Two Nights at Mr. Smalls (Fri., 2/6/26)

February 3, 2026/Rick Handler

Friday, February 6 & Saturday, February 7

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, along with Lotus have been two of Pittsburgh’s favorite jam bands over the years. The group combines funk, rock, and electronica; the band members create feel-good, laid-back tunes in a Grateful-Dead-meets-Sublime kind of way. The result is as unique as their name. They always bring energy to their fans, called “The Flock,” who just can’t get enough. The group formed in 2009 in Baltimore and released its first LP, preposterously titled Funk E P, in 2010. After that, the album titles stuck to the P-motif of the band’s name: Psychology in 2014, Pleasure in 2016, Pizazz in 2017, Presto in 2020, and Perspective in 2022. Their 2024 LP, Day in Time, broke the run of “P” titles, and their latest, last year’s Feed the Fire, continues the trend. 2025 saw a second release from Pigeons, Live at the Capitol Theatre. Even if jam bands aren’t your thing, the subtle island undertones in songs like “Couldn’t We All” may leave you asking the bartender for a little umbrella in your drink. Karina Rykman opens night one and the special guest for the second night is Big Blitz. 7:30 p.m. both nights. Mr. Smalls, 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (C.M., R.H.)