August ’18 Concert Guide: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Taylor Swift, Smokey Robinson, Rod Stewart, Miranda Lambert, and Jason Aldean

Lynyrd Skynyrd at the end of a set in New Brockton, Alabama in 2008. (Photo: jayuzi and Wikipedia).

The big summer concert season keeps rolling this month with some big acts. One of America’s best rock and roll bands Lynyrd Skynyrd plays KeyBank Pavilion on their Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour. Also on the southern rock roster for that show is Hank Williams, Jr., 38 Special, and The Marshall Tucker Band. Charlie Daniels will be bringing his own catalog of southern rock and country hits to Jergel’s. Attention Swifties, Taylor Swift will be performing at Heinz Field with rising talent Camila Cabello. On the country front its peak harvest time for summer twang with Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town passing through on their Bandwagon Tour and Jason Aldean also visits. The Avett Brothers play a sold out show at Stage AE.

We are very fortunate to have living legends Smokey Robinson and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in the region for concerts. Another legend, Rod Stewart, beings his pop/rock hits and songbook classics to PPG Paints with the lively and fun Cyndi Lauper opening. Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Jeff Beck and Ann Wilson share a bill at Heinz Hall. Some of the acts on the alternative/metal side this month are Avenged Sevenfold, Smashing Pumpkins, Metric, Counting Crows, Breaking Benjamin, The Flaming Lips, Psychedelic Furs, Godsmack, and Shinedown.

Hometown heroes, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, play an outdoor concert at Rivers Casino. Paul Luc performs at the South Park Amphitheater. Black Moth Super Rainbow has a show at Mr. Smalls. Several local acts will be performing in Johnstown at the Flood City Music Festival. Summer is starting to wane so get out and have some fun!

Friday, August 3

Billed as “a celebration of American music,” the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, showcases blues, country, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, and soul. Nearly 30 acts are scheduled. One of them is Devon Allman and his Devon Allman Project band. Allman is the son of the late great Gregg Allman. He will be joined by Duane Betts, son of the Allman Brothers Band guitarist, Dickey Betts. They will perform Friday evening. Saturday night features Pure Prairie League and Blues Traveler. Many Pittsburgh/regional acts including Hillbilly Way, Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers, and Bastard Bearded Irishmen, will perform as well. The festival takes place at Peoples Natural Gas Park. Its origins hark back to a 1989 street fair that commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Great Johnstown Flood. The Flood City Fest runs for two days: Friday,  August 3 and Saturday, August 4. 90 Johns St., Johnstown. (CM, RH)

Father John Misty’s winning streak continues. This year’s God’s Favorite Customer follows last year’s Pure Comedy. It’s rare these days that an artist releases two albums in two years let alone two great albums in two years. The multi-dimensional musician should put on an unforgettable show at Stage AE. Audiences can enjoy a sound that is a little psychedelic, a little rock, and a little folk. His subjects vary, and his songs include such titles as “I’m Writing a Novel” and “Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All.” Until 2012, he worked his craft under his birth name, Joshua (J.) Tillman, including a stint as the drummer for folk-rock band Fleet Foxes. As J. Tillman, he released eight (!) albums between 2003 and 2010. Tillman is from Rockville, Maryland. Bully opens. Doors open 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (EC, CM)

Pittsburgh rock royalty Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers have remained a constant on the Pittsburgh music scene as the city morphed from steel mills to high-tech foundry. Grushecky is a consummate singer/songwriter. Grushecky and The Houserockers have recently released their new first-rate album, More Yesterdays than Tomorrows. There are many hot tracks on the album including the introspective rocker title song; classic sounding Houserocker songs “Got to Go to Work Today,” “Blood, Sweat and Beers” and “Rev It Up;”  blues rock burners —  “Burn Us Down” (with a nice acoustic guitar flourish at the end) and “Hell to Pay” (with a little “Bo Diddley Beat” in it): and “That’s What Makes Us Great” with several vocal passages contributed by Grushecky’s friend, Bruce Springsteen. Another truly remarkable song is “The Voice” with very impressive melodic vocals by Grushecky, pleasing female backing vocals, and brilliant lead guitar work. The song’s about being in gratitude, listening to people, and to “stay strong” throughout life’s challenges. Grushecky and The Houserockers shine on all tracks. 7 p.m. Rivers Casino Outdoor Amphitheater. No cover charge. 777 Casino Dr., North Shore. (RH)

Saturday, August 4

This may be the closest to a full Smashing Pumpkins reunion show that the world’s going to get. Recent lineups included only two original members, frontman Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, the latter often only as a touring member. This time, it’s Corgan, Chamberlin, and original guitarist James Iha (who’s been keeping busy as a member of the supergroup A Perfect Circle). Original bassist D’arcy Wretzky is out, replaced with Jack Bates. (Wretzky and Corgan have quarreled on and off for years.) Longtime member Jeff Schroeder will also perform. The Smashing Pumpkins are playing all the old hits, such as “Cherub Rock” and “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” from their first five albums. They released a new song, “Solara,” this year. More new music allegedly will follow. The band formed in Chicago in 1988.

They play PPG Paints Arena with openers Metric, who rocked Thrival Music in 2016. Metric, who formed in Toronto, also released a new song, “Dark Saturday,” this year. Metric’s last studio album was 2015’s Pagans in Vegas, and a new one is reportedly on the way. 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (CM)

Tuesday, August 7

Taylor Swift returns to Pittsburgh on her Reputation Stadium Tour. The tour supports Reputation, her sixth studio album, which was released last year. The lead-off single, “Look What You Made Me Do,” and its accompanying music video, had some fans mourning the “old Taylor Swift.” You know, the one who cleaned up at the pop music game with her fifth studio album, 1989, which included the number one singles “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space.” That album marked the point where she left her country roots behind her. It also spawned the epic revenge fantasy video for “Bad Blood,” which was studded with Swift’s celebrity pals, from Lena Dunham to Cindy Crawford. After a movie-style build-up to its “world premiere” on May 17, 2015, the video broke Vevo records with 20 million views in 24 hours. Still, expect a similar level of showmanship from Swift’s concert at Heinz Field. Opening is Camila Cabello, the former Fifth Harmony member who is having a moment with “Havana” and her number one debut album. Charli XCX, whose single “Boys” was a hit last year, also opens. 7 p.m. 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore. (EC, CM)

Taylor Swift at the mic. photo: Jana Zillis.

Wednesday, August 8

“Can We Still Be Friends,” “Hello It’s Me,” and “I Saw the Light” were three monster hits in the ’70s for the accomplished pop rocker Todd Rundgren. A musical composer, performer, and producer who plays many different instruments, Rundgren is a free spirit whose creativity is limitless and songs melodically beautiful. He’s produced top albums for many individuals and groups, including Hall & Oates, Cheap Trick, Patti Smith, and The Psychedelic Furs. Rundgren is currently touring in support of his latest release, 2017’s White Knight. It is the prolific Rundgren’s 26th studio album. 8 p.m. Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall, 510 E.10th Ave., Munhall. (RH)

Saturday, August 11

Country/rock superstar Charlie Daniels and his Charlie Daniels Band play Jergel’s Rhythm Grille. There’s always been a special affinity between Daniels and Pittsburgh; he’s been a frequent visitor and has even sung the national anthem before several Steelers games. One of his songs, “In America,” includes a reference to the team’s fans: “Just go and lay your hand on a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, and I think you’re going to finally understand.” Tragically, in 2011, longtime keyboardist Taz DiGregorio was killed in a one-car accident in Tennessee while driving to the tour bus to embark on a trip. The band’s many hits include “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” “Long Haired Country Boy,” and “Redneck Fiddlin’ Man.” Daniels’ earlier albums including Saddle Tramp, High Lonesome, and Midnight Wind feature many fantastic southern rock songs. His latest album is 2016’s Night Hawk, and he also has published a memoir titled Never Look at the Empty Seats which was released in 2017. 8 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale. (RH)

Charlie Daniels is highly skilled at both the fiddle and guitar. photo: Wikipedia Commons.

What a great pairing: Jeff Beck with Ann Wilson at Heinz Hall. Both are Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Beck was inducted twice: once with the British blues-rock band The Yardbirds and again as a solo artist. You can hear Beck’s guitar on The Yardbirds’ “Heart Full of Soul,” their first single after Eric Clapton departed. He later formed the Jeff Beck Group and then the supergroup Beck, Bogert & Appice. He’s collaborated with everyone from Morrissey to Stevie Wonder and is often hailed as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. His latest solo album is 2016’s Loud Hailer. Ann Wilson with her sister, Nancy, form the core of Heart. They achieved mega-success in the 1970s and ’80s with songs “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” and “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You.” Ann Wilson has also collaborated with Alice in Chains. She is scheduled to release an album, Immortal, this September. The album will cover songs by artists, such as Chris Cornell and David Bowie, who have recently passed to that great concert in the sky. 8 p.m. 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (HH, CM)

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

The one and only Smokey Robinson—the R&B star behind hits like “Cruisin’,” “Being With You” and “Just to See Her”—visits the Palace Theatre for a performance. Robinson’s legacy is a big one. Not only was he a founding member of the vocal group The Miracles in the 1950s, and not only did he splinter out on his own for a prolific and significant solo career in the ‘70s, but he also played an integral role in the formation of Motown Records. His Miracles were among the first artists signed to the label. In fact, as the story goes, Robinson helped convince Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr. to start the highly influential record company. For his many accomplishments, Robinson was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Today the soulful 78-year-old still tours internationally. 7:30 p.m. 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. (RH)

Recording artists sometimes have several phases of their career and such is the case with Rod Stewart as well. He enjoyed early success as a vocalist and songwriter with the Jeff Beck Group before leaving to join the Faces and start his highly successful solo career. While with the Faces he sang the iconic “Maggie May.” Stewart is actually one of the top-selling recording artists of all time. He has had 16 top ten hits in the U.S. with four of reaching no. 1. on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and has sold over 100 million records. Major hits for Stewart were  “Tonight’s the Night,” “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?,” “Forever Young,” and “Some Guys Have All The Luck.”  In 2002 Stewart released the first of his Great American Songbook recordings which continued his successful  run. He’s even released a Soulbook recording of Motown and other soul songs. Stewart is touring in advance of his upcoming album release, Blood Red Roses, which will be released September 28.  Look for a sweet mix of older and more recent hits in his concert. Cyndi Lauper, the effervescent pop singer who scored mega hits in the ’80s with “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “True Colors,” and “Time After Time” opens. 7 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (RH)

Rod Stewart performing in Hamburg, Germany in 2013. (Photo: Ian Dury and Wikipedia).

Tuesday, August 14

It’s a knockout of hard rock and heavy metal with Breaking Benjamin and Five Finger Death Punch, respectively, at KeyBank Pavilion. The former originated across the state in Wilkes-Barre in 1999. The Benjamin in question is singer and guitarist Benjamin Burnley. He is the sole remaining founding member of the band and also an avid gamer. No surprise then he and the band wrote the song “Blow Me Away” specifically for the Halo 2 soundtrack in 2004. 2002’s Saturate was the group’s first studio album. 2009’s Dear Agony was its last before going on hiatus until 2014. Its latest is this year’s Ember. Five Finger Death Punch, meanwhile, is from Las Vegas. Its name comes from the kung fu movie The Five Fingers of Death (aka King Boxer). The band’s first studio album was the appropriately titled The Way of the Fist, which was released in 2007 and certified gold. This year’s And Justice for None is the group’s latest album. The “Wrong Side of Heaven” video, done to call attention to the plight of homeless veterans, is a YouTube hit. 6 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (EC, CM)

The Psychedelic Furs’ core consists of vocalist/songwriter Richard Butler and his bass-playing brother, Tim. The Furs have had major chart success with the songs “Love My Way,” “Pretty In Pink,” “Heaven,” and “The Ghost in You. The post-punk British rockers were MTV darlings during the ’80s and director John Hughes was inspired to create a movie around “Pretty in Pink.” In 2017 the Fur’s ’82 single “Love My Way” was featured several times in the Oscar-nominated film Call Me By Your Name. Liz Brasher Opens. 8 p.m. Mr. Smalls, 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (RH)

Thursday, August 16

The Avett Brothers mix the light romanticism of early rock and roll with the craftsmanship of a Paul Simon-like singer/songwriter and add a dash of the hoedown spirit of old-school Americana. Built around the nucleus of brothers Scott and Seth, the North Carolina band rode to prominence in the folk-rock revival that also brought you Fleet Foxes and Mumford and Sons. Since they partnered with producer du jour Rick Rubin on 2009’s I and Love and You, the Avetts have been unstoppable on their path to mega-success. Their triumph can be traced by their ascension through Pittsburgh venues: In eight years, they’ve gone from a small place at the Three Rivers Arts Festival to filling up Stage AE. The Avett Brothers even created the theme song for the popular PBS series “A Chef’s Life.” Their latest album is 2016’s True Sadness. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Stage AE, 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. Sold Out. (EC, RH)

Friday, August 17 

Miranda Lambert, has enjoyed much success in her early career. She was raised in Longview, Texas, her parents were private detectives before starting their own ministry. Lambert started out singing in High School with The Texas Pride Band and also fronted the house band at the legendary Reo Palm Isle venue in Longview. Lambert has released seven studio albums several of which have attained Platinum sales status.. 2014’s Platinum won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album. Her most recent album is 2016’s The Weight of Theses Wings. She is also a member of the Pistol Annies with Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley. They’ve released two albums, “Hell on Heels” and “Annie Up.” A new Pistol Annies’ album is slated for release this year. Little Big Town opens.7 p.m. KeyBank Pavilion, 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (RH)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EJyo4ZU1HI

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes are bringing their wall-of-sound to Greensburg’s Palace Theatre.The band features a New Jersey rock sound complemented by a talented horn section. Southside Johnny’s first three albums were arranged and produced by the co-founder of the band and Bruce Springsteen associate Steven Van Zandt. The albums were mainly composed of songs written by Van Zandt and/or Springsteen. They are known for songs “Trapped Again,” “Without Love,” and “We’re Having A Party.” 8 p.m. 21 W. Otterman St. (RH)

Singer/Songwriter Nicole Atkins has deep musical influences that run back to the 1950s and 1960s. Her parents affinity for Johnny Cash, The Ronettes, and The Beach Boys made a heavy musical imprint on her. On her own journey she discovered the music of The Sundays’ Harriet Wheeler and Cass Elliot. That musical tree bore fruit as she had early solo success and also with The Black Sea. The New Jersey native, who now resides in Nashville, released her fourth studio album, Goodnight Rhonda Lee in July of 2017. It has been described as a vintage soul album with influences by such classic artists as Dusty Springfield, Roy Orbisson, and Janis Joplin.Chris Isaak and Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave) co wrote songs on the album. Atkins will be singing deeply introspective songs from her latest release, along with other popular tunes she has recorded, at Club Cafe. Ruby Boots opens. 8 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side.(RH)

Thursday, August 23

The music business is fraught with peril and hardships, and a career that spans more than a couple of years is generally considered a significant accomplishment. Frankie Valli has reached that level of  achievement. Born in Newark, N.J., Valli rose to fame in 1962 as the lead singer of The Four Seasons (they took the band name from a New Jersey bowling alley), and his fame train continues to chug as powerfully as ever. The Four Seasons’ first hit, “Sherry” put the band on the map. Other hits include “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” and “Working My Way Back to You.” Valli comes to Heinz Hall in what is guaranteed to provide a harmonious joyride down melody lane. Opportunities to catch legends like Valli are increasingly scarce, so pen this one into your “high-priority” category. 7:30 p.m. 600 Penn Ave. Cultural District. (EC/RH)

Friday, August 24

Slip on your cowboys boots, button up your finest flannel, and head down to KeyBank Pavilion, where musical icon Jason Aldean takes center stage for a night of country music fun. Aldean has accumulated many awards over his career, including Male Vocalist of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year at 2013’s Academy of Country Music Awards. He was born in Macon, Georgia, and moved to Nashville at 21. His 2005 self-titled debut cemented his success; “Why” became his first number-one single on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Aldean was performing at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas when a gunman fired into the crowd. Fifty-eight people died; another 851 were injured. The following Saturday, Aldean opened “Saturday Night Live” with a rousing cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” Petty had died the day after the shooting. Now Aldean is on his High Noon Neon Tour in support of his eighth studio album, this year’s Rearview Town, his fourth consecutive Billboard number one album in the U.S. Luke Combs and Lauren Alaina open. 7:30 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (EC, CM)

Oklahoma-based, psychedelic, alternative rock band The Flaming Lips invade Stage AE. Active since 1983, The Flaming Lips stand as one of the genre’s most accomplished and revered acts, and their shows provide a can’t-miss experience that expertly combines visual and auditory stimulation through rhythmic lines and a trippy, syncopated light show. (Their 2010 concert at the late Station Square Amphitheater, where frontman Wayne Coyne stopped the concert to listen to a passing train, is the stuff of legend.) They had a hit with “She Don’t Use Jelly” in 1993 and rose to further prominence with 1999’s The Soft Bulletin and 2002’s Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Their latest album is 2017’s Oczy Mlody. Miley Cyrus appears on “We a Famly” (sic). No surprise, as she and the band earlier collaborated on 2015’s Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz. Le Butcherettes open. Doors open 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (EC, CM)

Saturday, August 25

Southern rock legend Lynyrd Skynyrd, famous for “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird”—among many other hits—is one of those classic classic rock bands, which have attained an extremely high place in the American rock canon. In 1969 they changed their name to Lynryd Skynrd in mocking tribute to their tough Jacksonville, Florida, high school gym teacher, Leonard Skinner. After much success the band tragically suffered extensive casualties including Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and Cassie Gaines who were taken too early by a plane crash in 1977. Still, in spite of losses and long hiatuses over the years, the group continues to rock arenas, amphitheaters, and ballparks nationwide. Skynyrd original member Gary Rossington leads a “new” Skynyrd, which includes Ronnie Van Zant’s younger brother Johnny, and longtime member Rickey Medlocke.

Lynyrd Skynyrd is on its Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour. This writer saw them in concert at the end of July in Cleveland and the latest iteration of Skynyrd still sounds amazing. And they do have one of the best encore songs ever. The group plays Keybank Pavilion with Hank Williams, Jr., 38 Special, and The Marshall Tucker Band opening. This show promises to be a night of southern rock for the ages. 6 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (RH)

Thursday, August 30

Counting Crows are celebrating their 25th anniversary with a tour, which stops at KeyBank Pavilion. They released their debut album, August and Everything After, in 1993, at a time when grunge dominated alternative rock radio. But Adam Duritz’s voice and the rest of the group’s Americana instrumentation harked more to Van Morrison and The Band than to Nirvana or Pearl Jam. Yet listeners fell in love with their sound and August … went on to sell 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. The rest of the Berkeley, California, band’s career breaks down roughly as follows: more ’90s hits, an Oscar nomination for Shrek 2’s “Accidentally in Love,” a covers album, and 2014’s Somewhere Under Wonderland, arguably their best work since 1999’s This Desert Life. Songs like “Palisades Park” display Duritz at his poetic peak. Live, who hail from York, Pennsylvania, open. They achieved multi-platinum success with their sophomore studio album, 1994’s Throwing Copper. Hits include “I Alone” and “Lightning Crashes.” 6:30 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (CM)

Several Other Suggested Shows

Friday, August 3

California-based Avenged Sevenfold (a.k.a. “A7X”) skyrocketed to superstardom over the past decade. The band members are known for their rapid, melodic shredding; their theatrical, ghoulish vocals; and their dark, imaginative imagery. Their latest studio album is 2016’s The Stage. The eponymous track was nominated for the Best Rock Song Grammy in 2018. Opening are Prophets of Rage. The supergroup consists of members of Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy, and Cypress Hill. Three Days Grace also opens. KeyBank Pavilion, 5:30 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (EC, CM)

Better Than Ezra had its big break in 1995 when the indie album Deluxe was picked up and re-released by a major label. “Good” peaked at number one on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks. The band released its eighth studio album, All Together Now, in 2014. The group plays South Park Amphitheater as part of Allegheny County’s Free Summer Concert Series. Two Birds open. 7:30 p.m. 3700 Farmshow Dr., South Park. (HM, CM)

Sunday, August 5

Toots and the Maytals are a cornerstone group of the reggae music genre, led by Toots Hibbert. They even helped coin the name for their new genre with their 1968 song “Do the Reggay.” Founded in Jamaica in the early 1960’s, Toots and the Maytals are especially well-known for a top charting album and song called Funky Kingston. You can catch their cool reggae vibe as part of the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series. Hollis Brown opens. 7:30 p.m. Hartwood Acres, 4070 Middle Rd., Allison Park, PA (RH)

Friday, August 10

Clear out in deep space, light years away, on the far side of the musical continuum, Pittsburgh-based electronic band Black Moth Super Rainbow grooves and rages into the night. The band is led by frontman Tobacco. This year’s Panic Blooms is the group’s latest studio album. “Mr No One” is the album’s excellent closer. See their homecoming at Mr. Smalls Theatre. The Stargazer Lilies and Air Credits open. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (EC, CM)

Tuesday, August 21

New Orleans blues rockin’ piano player Marcia Ball is appearing at Club Cafe. Her latest studio album is this year’s Shine Bright, which was released by Alligator Records. This year will also see her induction into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. She performed during the popular concert series’ inaugural season in 1976. Here she is playing “Mobile.” 8 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. (EC, CM)

Tuesday, August 28

Massachusetts alt-metal band Godsmack and Florida alt-metal band Shinedown headline KeyBank Pavilion. Godsmack is touring in support of its latest studio album, this year’s When Legends Rise. “Bulletproof” was the first single. Godsmack had three straight number one albums on the Billboard 200 and 23 top ten hit rock songs. Shinedown is also touring in support of a 2018 release: Attention Attention with leadoff single, “Devil.” Red Sun Rising opens. 7 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (EC, CM)

Wednesday, August 29

It’s a rap-fest at Wild Things Park with G-Eazy, who is from Oakland, California. 2017’s The Beautiful & Damned is his latest studio album. The single “Sober” features Charlie Puth. Also on the bill is Lil Uzi Vert, whose blend of rap and rock is sometimes called emo rap. Ty Dolla $ign is a multi-instrumentalist and rapper who is on Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang Entertainment record label. P-Lo also opens. 7 p.m. One Washington Federal Way, Washington. (CM)

Friday, August 31

Paul Luc is a Pittsburgh-based indie singer-songwriter. He recently performed with SVEN, a band of area all-star musicians assembled by rock musician/producer Rod Schwartz. The band’s roster also included Joe and Johnny Grushecky, Jon Belan, Bill Deasy, Jay Wiley, Kelsey Friday, and others. They deftly performed The Clarks’ 1988 debut album, I’ll Tell You What Man…, in its entirety before the Clarks’ June headlining concert at Stage AE. Luc’s latest studio album is this year’s Bad Seed. He co-headlines with Kayla Schureman at South Park Amphitheater as part of Allegheny County’s Free Summer Concert Series. Schureman may be from the San Fernando Valley, but she now calls Pittsburgh home. Her debut studio album, Kiss the Ground, was released last year. 7:30 p.m. 3700 Farmshow Dr., South Park. (EC, CM)

On the Radar

Wednesday, September 5
Fall Out Boy and Machine Gun Kelly (PPG Paints Arena)

Friday, September 7
The Outlaw Music Festival w/Willie Nelson, Van Morrison, Sturgill Simpson, Brandi Carlile, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real (KeyBank Pavilion)

Saturday, September 8
Lady Antebellum & Darius Rucker (KeyBank Pavilion)

Wednesday, September 12
Dawes (Stage AE)

Monday, September 17
Paul Simon (PPG Paints Arena)

Wednesday, September 19
Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band *Heinz Hall)

Tuesday, Septmeber 25
Justin Timberlake (PPG Paints Arena)

Saturday, September 29
Maroon 5 (PPG Paints Arena)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central. Christopher Maggio made substantial contributions to this guide.

Share on Social Media