Concert Guide February 2026: Rascal Flatts, Ghost Hounds, Dropkick Murphys, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Valerie June, and Badflower

The February concert scene is seeing signs of life after a dry January. Last month it seemed like all the top performers were possibly in Cabo San Lucas drinking tequila and soaking in the sun. This month’s biggest act is Rascal Flatts who are playing a show at PPG Paints Arena at the end of the month. Ghost Hounds are playing benefit concerts for UPMC Children’s Hospitals in Pittsburgh and Erie. The always relevant Dropkick Murphys pull into Stage AE for a pre-St. Patrick’s Day show. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong have a funny name, but take their jamming seriously, and are at Mr. Smalls for two nights. The Warhol Sound Series features Valerie June at Carnegie Lecture Hall in Oakland.

The Wallflowers will (play) “Reboot the Mission” this month at the Roxian. Badflower also headlines a show there. TV (and IRL) rockers, The Runarounds play an in-person sold-out show at Mr. Smalls Theatre. Hometown heroes Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers and Donnie Iris will lively up the month with shows at the Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall and The Palace Theatre respectively.

The Concert Guide features (in chronological order) Spotlight Picks, Other Shows of Interest, and Big Shows on the Horizon. Get out and see what pleases you, whether it’s one of our concert picks or something entirely different. Mike Vargo (M.V.) also contributed to this guide.

Spotlight Picks

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.)

Saturday, February 7

The Ghost Hounds are a national country rock band that also infuses a bit of soul into their sound. This month they will be performing at the Byham Theater with a portion of the concert proceeds benefiting UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (the group is also performing a benefit concert on February 5 in Erie for UPMC Children’s Hospital at UPMC Hamot). The Rolling Stones had the Ghost Hounds as their opening act when they played Acrisure Stadium in October of 2021. They’ve also supported in concert other big names like ZZ Top, Garth Brooks, Guns N’ Roses, and Bob Seger. Fronted by lead singer SAVNT, who competed on the 13th season of NBC’s television series “The Voice,” they have recently released their fifth studio album, Almost Home. It features guest appearances by Lainey Wilson and Patty Griffin among their own top-notch talents. Ghost Hounds have several strong local connections. Thomas Tull, who formed the band, is a Sewickley entrepreneur and renaissance man. Tull is a guitarist, lead songwriter, and producer for Ghost Hounds. Joe Munroe is the other Pittsburgh member and plays piano and keyboards. Other members include guitarist Tyler Chiarelli; violinist and fiddler Kristin Weber; bassist Bennett Miller; and drummer Sydney Driver. Joining Ghost Hounds is former Eagles member Don Felder, a very talented guitarist, who will perform Eagles hits and songs from his own catalog. He is best known for co-writing the hit “Hotel California” and for his intricate guitar work on it and other Eagles songs. 7:30 p.m. Byham Theater, 101 6th St., Cultural District. (R.H.)

Wednesday, February 11

Tennessee-born Valerie June got a good musical break in 2009 when she appeared as a featured artist in MTV’s online series “$5 Cover,” which followed the lives of Memphis musicians and their struggle to survive while chasing their musical dreams. The next year she recorded the EP Valerie June and the Tennessee Express, a collaboration with Old Crow Medicine Show. Since then she has become known as a distinctive Americana artist, with numerous TV and film appearances. Her sound is influenced by folk, blues, Appalachian, gospel, soul, country, and bluegrass. The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has recorded six studio albums thus far, the latest being last year’s Owls, Omens and Oracles. This year The Andy Warhol Museum has booked her for a solo show as part of its Sound Series, devoted to cutting-edge and genre-bending musicians. Expecting a larger audience than usual, the museum slated Valerie June to sing and play at the 600-seat Carnegie Lecture Hall in Oakland. But the venue has been sold out for the occasion, so try your secondary ticket sources! 8 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. (R.H, M.V.)

Thursday, February 12

Not often does a band name itself after an alcohol rehab facility operated by a former pro wrestler. The sobering-up farm founded by the late John “Dropkick” Murphy no longer exists, but the Dropkick Murphys—founded in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996—live on as America’s definitive Celtic punk band. Through 13 albums and countless live shows, they’ve built a stirring repertoire. “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” is a fire-em-up anthem used by Boston-area sports teams, the Ireland national rugby team, and others. Some of the Dropkick Murphys’ songs evoke a traditional Irish sound, as in “Rose Tattoo.” But the band is best known for patrolling the social-justice beat. Along with original songs in that vein, they’ve done hard-driving versions of classics like “We Shall Overcome” and Florence Reece’s “Which Side Are You On?” Their latest album is last year’s For the People. The Dropkick Murphys plan to be here for the people of Pittsburgh at Stage AE. Guest artists are The Aggrolites and Haywire. Doors open at 6 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (M.V.) 

Sunday, February 15

Dark and self-loathing are two terms that could be used to describe the music of Badflower. But the group’s songs are also insightful and twinged with occasional humor. Lead singer Josh Katz delivers the song lyrics authentically because he has lived many of the experiences that he is singing about. Badflower started in Los Angeles in 2013 and released two EPs, About a Girl and Temper, before releasing their first studio LP OK, I’m Sick in 2019. The post-grunge, alt-rock band continued with 2021’s This is How the World Ends. Their latest LP release is No Place Like Home, dropped last year. Badflower will be performing at the Roxian Theatre with special guests Point North and Olive Vox. 7 p.m. 425 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks. (R.H.)

Are The Runarounds a talented young pop-rock band or a made-for-TV group? They are both. The Runarounds formed in 2021 when Jonas Pate (screenwriter/producer/director) put out a casting call for musicians to form a rock band to perform on his Netflix “Outer Banks” TV series, set in Wilmington, Delaware. In 2025 the group got their own self-titled show on Amazon Prime, and The Runarounds mania started to build. Now they are playing an almost 100% sold out (including sold out in Pittsburgh) 2026 Minivan Tour. The band is getting some first-class support for their music. Their most recent single “Chasing The Good Times” was co-written and produced by Brad Shultz, founding member and guitarist for Cage the Elephant and mixed by Rich Costey (Foo Fighters, Sigur Ros, Muse, and HAIM). And The Runarounds first EP, which is the soundtrack for the show, was produced by Jerry Harrison of The Talking Heads. Special guest is The Back Alley. 8 p.m. Mr. Smalls Theatre, 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (R.H.)

Friday, February 20

The Wallflowers are of course led by Jakob Dylan, the talented son of the legendary Bob Dylan. The band has generated hits like “One Headlight” and “6th Avenue Heartache” from their sophomore album Bringing Down the Horse in 1996, and “Reboot the Mission” from their 2012 album, Glad All Over. After solo work and a continuing rotation of talent in The Wallflowers band, they are touring behind their most recent album, 2021’s Exit Wounds. Dylan, in an interview with American Songwriter at the time, said of the album, “I was just also writing during a time when the world felt like it was falling apart. That changes the way you address even the simplest things, because you have panic in your mind all the time. You have anxiety. And you also have hope. And it’s all in there.” Dylan says of The Wallflowers and their ever-changing lineup that the band is an extension of him as a solo artist, since he is the only constant in the band. The Wallflowers visit our area for a concert at the Roxian Theatre for a stop on their Bringing Down the Horse 30th Anniversary Tour. Opening is Brooke Surgener. 7 p.m. 425 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks. (R.H.)

Saturday, February 21

Area native Donnie Iris, aka King Cool, is performing at the Palace Theatre with his band, The Cruisers. Sure to be on the set list are top favorites including “Ah Leah” and “Love Is Like a Rock.” Iris was once a member of the Pittsburgh group The Jaggerz in the early ’70s who had a monster hit with the “The Rapper,” which reached no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He additionally went onto join Wild Cherry after their big hit with “Play That Funky Music.” Iris continues to rock at a very high level. 7:30 p.m. 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. (R.H.)

Friday, February 27

Country-pop trio Rascal Flatts are coming to town, and when these boys come to town, they really go to town. They’ve got a long history of coming on strong. After forming in Nashville in 1999, they reeled off six consecutive platinum-or-better albums through the 2000s. The band’s 2014 album, Rewind, topped at No. 1 on the Billboard country charts, featuring hit singles like “Rewind,” “Riot,” and “I Like the Sound of That.” The 2020s brought a breakup, followed by a rocket-powered reunion that made 2025 another great year for Rascal Flatts. Highlights included a Billboard ranking among the Top 100 Artists of the 21st Century—in all genres combined—and the release of the group’s 11th studio album, Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duets. The “Duets” refers to the fact that on all tracks, they collaborated with other artists, ranging from the Jonas Brothers to Kelly Clarkson. But Rascal Flatts itself still retains the core trio of vocalist Gary LeVox, bass and keyboard player Jay DeMarcus, and guitarist Joe Don Rooney. They’re playing in Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena, with guests Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane. 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H., M.V.)

Saturday, February 28

Joe Grusheckyand The Houserockers are Pittsburgh rock royalty. They have risen through several incarnations—from the Brick Alley Band to Joe Grushecky and the Iron City Houserockers to the unit’s present day form—Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers—to become one of Pittsburgh’s top bands. Over the years Grushecky’s sound is one of both hard-driving rock and roll and insightful ballads. The lyrics and music seek higher ground, and find it. Top songs include “Pumping Iron,” “Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive),” and “Rock and Real.” In 2024 Grushecky released Joe Grushecky Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology and followed that up by releasing a fantastic new album with The Houserockers, Can’t Outrun a Memory. (See our story and interview with Grushecky regarding the making of the album.) A track from the LP, “This is Who We Are,” made Little Steven’s Underground Garage Coolest Songs in the World 2024. The Houserockers’ latest release is the single “Living in a Blues Song.” Special guest is Rocket Loves Blue. Doors 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m. Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall, 4053 Butler St., Lawrenceville. (R.H.)

Other Shows of Interest

Thursday, February 5
Molly Hatchet (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)
Scott Blasey (Crafthouse Stage & Grill)

Saturday, February 7
Pete Hewlett (Original Pittsburgh Winery)
Norm Nardini (Steamworks Community Center)

Thursday, February 12
Reb Beach (Pittsburgh Brewing Company)

Friday, February 13
Mark Eddie (City Winery)

Sunday, February 15
Vanessa Collier (Moondog’s Pub)

Tuesday, February 17
The Lone Bellow (Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall)

Friday, February 20
Jimbo Jackson (Original Pittsburgh Winery)
Lyndsey Smith and NASH.V.ILL (Original Pittsburgh Winery)

Tuesday, February 21
Vincent Mason (Stage AE)
Etta Cox (Greer Cabaret Lounge)

Sunday, February 22
Helen Sung with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra (MCG Jazz)

Saturday, February 28
Zack Keim (Original Pittsburgh Winery)

Big Shows on the Horizon

March 2
Journey (PPG)
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit (Benedum Center)

March 3
Three Days Grace (PPG)

March 6
Cody Johnson (PPG)

March 7
Joe Bonamassa (Benedum Center)

March 13
Rise Against (Stage AE)

March 14
The Artimus Pyle Band (The Lamp Theatre)
Rakim (City Winery)

March 23
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (City Winery)

March 26
Slaughter (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

March 28 & March 29
Lotus (Mr. Smalls Theatre)

March 28
Thievery Corporation (Roxian)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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