Sugar Ray Headlines Under the Sun ’90s Rock Tour; Jill Sobule at Club Cafe (Sun., 8/9/15)

1) The website for headlining act Sugar Ray bills the Under The Sun Tour as “celebrating the golden age of alternative pop rock ‘n’ roll.” Judging by the acts on the billing—Better Than Ezra, Uncle Kracker, Eve 6—that golden age was somewhere between 1995 and 2000.  Sugar Ray had their big break with the 1997 album Floored and the hit single “Fly.” They haven’t released a new studio album since 2009’s Music For Cougars, which made little impact on the charts. In setting up the ’90s nostalgia tour, Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath told Rolling Stone that if bands of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s could hold nostalgia tours, why not 90s bands? And it seems the concept has struck a chord—it’s the third year the three-piece has toured with the Under the Sun Tour. Better Than Ezra had their big break in 1995 when their indie album Deluxe was picked up and re-released by a major label. They released their eighth studio album, All Together Now, in 2014. Doors open 5 p.m. Stage AE, 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (HM)

2) Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule is returning to Pittsburgh’s Club Cafe more than 10 years after recording her live DVD, Live in Pittsburgh, at the same venue. She will have plenty of new material to add to the set list since that 2003 recording—she’s released many albums since then, including last year’s Dottie’s Charms and two EPs. Her biggest commercial hit came from 1995’s self-titled album, featuring the singles “I Kissed A Girl” and “Supermodel,” which were featured on the Clueless movie soundtrack. Since then, Sobule’s sound has evolved into a narrative, folk-influenced style, which has won her a dedicated following albeit without mainstream hits. A note for fans: Live in Pittsburgh is out of print, but a post on Sobule’s Facebook page promises a recently rediscovered lost box of DVDs will be for sale on her website soon. 8 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. (HM)

3) The Los Angeles Dodgers battle the Pirates in the last game of their three-game series. Tonight fans 14 and under will receive a Kids Cole & Polanco Cup. 8:05 p.m. PNC Park, 115 Federal St., North Shore.

Share on Social Media