The Tallest Man on Earth Visits CHMH; Mr. Smalls: Trampeled By Turtles (Sun., 7/26/15)

1) The Tallest Man on Earth is a 5-foot-7 Swede named Kristian Matsson, who records lo-fi folk and plays it live with a punk rocker’s intensity. After four albums and two EPs, Matsson’s finally gotten, ahem, big enough to warrant a touring band and mid-sized historic venues, like Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall. Part of Matsson’s waxing popularity has to do with opening for singer-songwriter Bon Iver back in 2008 and for the millions of plays his singles have garnered on Spotify. His partnership with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon culminated with Matsson recording overdubs and vocals at Vernon’s Wisconsin studio last year for Matsson’s newest album, Dark Bird Is Home, released 2015. The upbeat tempo of singles like “Sages” belies the album’s main theme, even if the lyrics reveal it—the dissolution of Matsson’s marriage to fellow Swedish singer-songwriter Amanda Bergman amid the rigors of touring separately. Like much heartbreak, it makes for great art, so be ready for extra fraughtness during what is sure to be a cathartic and intimate live show. Viking Moses opens. 8 p.m. 510 E 10th Ave., Munhall. (CM)

2) When Trampled by Turtles played the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival last year, it drizzled, and Pittsburghers weren’t familiar with the new songs (Wild Animals, their seventh studio album, came out a month later). There will be no rain at Mr. Smalls. Well, there still might be rain, but the five bandmates are probably used to worse, being from Duluth, Minnesota and all. Plus, Mr. Smalls does have a ceiling. The Pittsburgh hip have had a year to learn the new songs and will hopefully dance to more than the back catalog. But don’t get those hipsters wrong, they like that back catalog, particularly the tunes off 2010’s Palomino, an album which went to No. 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart. They love “Wait So Long” and that awesome cover TBT does of the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind.” (Although, if the band could perform their cover of Arcade Fire’s “Rebellion (Lies),” that would be even more awesome-er. Just sayin’.) No new album is in the works just yet, but the band will headline Red Rocks Amphitheatre in late August. The Shelf Life String Band opens. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM)

3) Our beloved Buccos take the diamond again today against the Washington Nationals. It’s also Kids Day, with a Family Fun Zone outside the ball yard beforehand, and all fans 14 and younger have a chance to run the bases after the game. All kids 14 and under receive a Kids Pirates Liriano and Walker Cup. First pitch is at 1:35 p.m. This is a great opportunity to see two of the top National League teams in action. 115 Federal St., North Shore.

4) The City of Pittsburgh’s Bach, Beethoven and Brunch Classical Music Series offers a free concert today by chamber music group Trillium Ensemble. The trio features the unique instrumentation of flute, clarinet and piano. This concert series runs every Sunday through Aug. 16 in Mellon Park from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Pack your own brunch basket or buy food at the park. Fifth and Shady Aves., Point Breeze/Squirrel Hill.

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