Smokey Robinson, Vans Warped, and Three Days Grace All Play Pittsburgh Today (Thurs., 7/9/15)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaMX0Cs5Bc4

1) The voice of Motown meets Steel City classical when William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr. brings his soaring tenor pipes to town for a concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Best known as lead singer of The Miracles on hits like “Tears of a Clown” (above), the Detroit legend also earned his spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a performer, music-business maven, and songwriter. In 1959 he helped Berry Gordy, Jr. launch the Tamla and Motown labels, then served as VP of Motown. And along with composing for his own group, Robinson wrote prolifically for other Motown stars. (His credits include “My Guy” for Mary Wells, “My Girl” for the Temptations, and “Ain’t That Peculiar” for Marvin Gaye.) Now a spry 75, Robinson remains very active, releasing the duet album Smokey and Friends just last year. If his gig with the Symphony turns out anything like his house-rocking live shows of the ‘60s—here’s “Shop Around”—‘twill be a concert to remember. 7:30 p.m. Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (MV)

2) The Vans Warped Tour—what is at its core a punk rock showcase long ago expanded to include dubstep, hip-hop, metal, reggae, and other genres. Begun in 1995, the Warped Tour is not only the largest touring music festival in the United States but also the longest-running. The tour launched Green Day, Blink-182, and even Katy Perry. This year, with nearly 100 acts playing the tour’s First Niagara Pavilion date, there’s too many to list. However, some bigger acts include Escape the Fate, a post-hardcore band from Las Vegas. Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump co-wrote “Picture Perfect” with them for their 2014 album, Ungrateful. As a sign of the festival’s musical inclusiveness, there’s also Le Castle Vania, an Atlanta-based DJ who will be bringing remixes as well as original electronic compositions. Australia’s Trophy Eyes, meanwhile, will have plenty of the pop punk that the festival’s still known for. For a complete list of acts, visit the Warped Tour’s website. Set times and performance locations are not determined until the day of the show, so attendees should arrive early and seek the performance schedule, which is printed not on paper but on a giant, inflatable billboard. 11 a.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (CM)

3) Canadian rockers Three Days Grace put out their fifth studio album, Human, in March, and its first single, “Painkiller”, was a slow burn success. It took a few months, but eventually hit No. 1 on the Billboard Rock charts. Second single, “I Am Machine,” did the same. It was proof the band’s fans hadn’t deserted them with the departure of lead singer Adam Gontier, who quit in 2013 for health reasons, after more than 20 years with the band. New lead singer Matt Walst, brother of bassist Brad Walst, has taken up the reins. Despite the change in line-up, it’s been a pretty good run for the Toronto-based band, who had a hit with their debut single, “I Hate Everything About You,” in 2003. They’ve been struck by some bad luck on the current tour—canceling a gig in Burlington, Iowa, in June due to an electrical storm which damaged gear. Local fans will be hoping the weather stays clear for their outdoor show at Stage AE. Theory of a Deadman, Finger Eleven, and Pop Evil open. Doors open 6 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (HM)

4) Our battlin’ Buccos start a divisional fight today with the current occupiers (hopefully not for long after the Pirates rough them up) of first place, the St. Louis Cardinals.  It’s a Military Night and a Zambelli Fireworks Night. 7:05 p.m. PNC Park, 115 Federal St., North Shore.

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