Concert Guide November 2025: Paul McCartney, Billy Strings, Bryan Adams, Playboi Carti, Chicago, and Maroon 5

Rock and Roll royalty (both figuratively and literally), Sir Paul McCartney, visits Pittsburgh this month for a concert at PPG Paints Arena. Multi-talented instrumentalist Billy Strings plays, not one, but two sold out shows there as well. Also at that venue are Bryan Adams, and Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, who all have many hits between them. Looking for some hot hip hop? Then check out Playboi Carti there too. Chicago brings their large catalog of high charting songs to the UPMC Events Center at RMU. Top pop rockers Maroon 5 and Jonas Brothers play separate shows at PPG Paints Arena. Rising rockers The Band Camino will be at Stage AE. And southern rock legends The Outlaws will play the Palace in Greensburg.

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

Saturday, November 1

What can you say about a rapper who titles his new album Music? Is he a minimalist? Or a Zen see-the-essence-behind-the-obvious-ist? Well, maybe! In numbers like “Evil Jordan,” Playboi Carti appears to be experiencing angst but moving through it. The artist born Jordan Terrell Carter has undertaken significant aesthetic changes in his approximately 30 years of human life thus far. Known initially for a falsetto “baby voice,” Carti went sorta-Satanic in songs such as “M3tamorphosis” (with Kid Cudi) on his second album, 2020’s Whole Lotta Red. Now he’s expanding into ramblin’ and mumble-rappin’ all over the place. Carti’s tumultuous journey has included a marriage to Iggy Azalea, collaborations with just about every big name in hip hop, various assault charges, and esteemed status as a fashion icon (nobody does thrift-store elegance better). So be ready for anything when Playboi Carti brings his Antagonist Tour to Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena. Guest artists are Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, Homixide Gang, and ApolloRed1. All are members of, or affiliated with, Carti’s Atlanta-based Opium record label and rap collective. 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (M.V.)

Sunday, November 2

Bryan Adams, the Canadian pop/rocker, can lay down some flaming lead guitar heat, but is also equally adept at singing a touching ballad. Guitar scorchers include “Home Again,” “Summer of ’69,” and “Heat of the Night.” While on the softer side Adams has scored big chart success with songs like “Heaven,” and “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman.” Adams has had numerous No. 1 songs and has received 20 Juno Awards from 56 nominations, 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television in 1992. He and his longtime songwriting collaborator, Jim Vallance, created the songs, lyrics, and music for Disney’s Pretty Woman – The Musical. Adams is also a talented photographer who has exhibited his works at many museums including the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada, and has even published several books. Adams’ latest album is 2025’s Roll with the Punches. Th release reached no. 50 on the Billboard US Top Current Album Sales chart.He is an animal rights activist and has a foundation that supports youth education. He plays in various fundraising concerts to support good causes. So Happy It Hurts, his most recent studio album, was released in 2022. When last here in 2024 he put on a fantastic show replete with an inflatable Chevrolet Corvair floating around the arena. Special guests are Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Benatar had a slew of hits in the 1970’s and ’80s including “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Love is a Battlefield,” and”Heartbreaker.” She has also won four Grammy Awards. 7:30 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H.)

Wednesday, November 5

Classic-rock mainstay Chicago has remained vibrant and popular throughout the decades despite lead singer Peter Cetera leaving the band for a solo career in 1985, personnel changes, and a lack of latter-day chart successes. Why has Chicago remained so popular? The answer is in the music. Every musician is highly accomplished, and the band’s big wall of sound brings it all together. Best known for its brassy horn section—which gives extra depth to hits like “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday in the Park,” “Just You ‘n’ Me” “Beginnings,” and “If You Leave Me Now“—Chicago had a longer name at its start in 1967. The rockers called themselves Chicago Transit Authority but were forced to change it—by the Chicago Transit Authority. The group latest studio album is Born for This Moment (a.k.a. Chicago XXXVIII), their 38th album, released in 2022. There are three original members still in Chicago: Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, and James Pankow. 8 p.m. UPMC Events Center-RMU, 6001 University Blvd., Moon Township. (R.H.)

Friday, November 7

While studying at the University of Memphis in 2015, four students joined together to form The Band CAMINO. They released two EPs and then were signed to Elektra Records and made a third EP. In 2021, the indie-electropop band, recorded their first LP, The Band CAMINO. The Band CAMINO, is still based in Tennessee, just a little more easterly in Nashville. In addition to releasing their debut album, 2021 was a big year for them having been handpicked by Dan + Shay to be the opening act on their tour. Plus they made an appearance on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” The group has been selling out multiple headline tours and playing the major festival circuit with performances at Lollapalooza, Forecastle, and on “Austin City Limits.” Their latest LP is NeverAlways, which dropped in July. Special guests are Almost Monday and In Color. Doors open at 6 p.m. Stage AE, 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (R.H.)

Friday, November 7 & Saturday, November 8

A Billy Strings concert in Pittsburgh was an early casualty when the Covid lockdown hit in March of 2020. Happily Strings has been back on the road in subsequent years and is stopping at the PPG Paints Arena for two shows this month. Strings (born William Lee Apostol) in 1992, and has overcome many obstacles in his young life. Growing up in Michigan and then Kentucky, his father died of a drug overdose when he was two and drugs continued to be a part of his family’s life and eventually his as well. His family and his stepfather Terry Barber also had a taste for bluegrass music. His stepfather introduced him to bluegrass. Luckily everyone got sober and Strings concentration on music saw him become very successful. He received the moniker Strings from his aunt who was amazed by his performance on several different traditional bluegrass instruments. His latest album, Highway Prayers, dropped in September 2024, hitting no. 22 on the Billboard 200. Strings has won two Grammys and a bevy of other awards for his music. Both night’s concerts are sold out so check your secondary sources. 7:30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H.)

Tuesday, November 11

Paul McCartney, former bass player and vocalist for The Beatles, was part of one of the best songwriting teams of all time with Lennon-McCartney. McCartney was responsible for the top songs “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude,” “Let it Be,” “Penny Lane,” and “Blackbird.” He also would go on to have a very successful solo campaign (also with his band Wings) that included hits like “Band on the Run,” “Live and Let Die,” “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Jet,” “With a Little Luck,” and many more. Like the late music show host Dick Clark was known for, Paul McCartney  has mainly kept his teenage good looks and a wellspring of enthusiasm for life. These factors have always been major ingredients in his recipe for success. Another, even more important component is his talent. McCartney always puts on a great concert and has many interactions with his audience. He opened then-Consol Energy Center (now PPG Paints Arena) with two shows in 2010. McCartney brings his Got Back tour to town. What a great opportunity to see one of the world’s best concert performers live in our fair city. 8 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H.)

Wednesday, November 12

The Jonas Brothers bring their pop rock and handsome faces to Pittsburgh once again. Brothers Kevin, Joe, and Nick got their start performing in their home state of New Jersey. After their second album in 2007, Disney came a-calling and they subsequently appeared in the Disney films Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. They then went on to star in two TV series on the Disney Channel, “Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream” and “Jonas.” After splitting over creative differences in 2013, the pop rockers re-formed as a group in 2019. And this year has been a big one for the Brothers. In March, their Jersey-region fans congregated at JonasCon, a one-off event to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary. Then August brought the drop of their latest album, Greetings from Your Hometown. Finally, they’re back on the Disney+ screen, as A Very Jonas Christmas Movie is slated for release in mid-November. You can join the party by catching the Jonas Brothers in concert at PPG Paints Arena. Guest artists are The All-American Rejects. 7:30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Avenue, Uptown. (R.H., M.V.)

Friday, November 14

A Maroon 5 concert is a great setting for a fun night out. The radio-friendly rockers rose to fame with their 2002 album, Songs About Jane, which included the singles “She Will Be Loved” and “Harder to Breathe.” “Moves like Jagger” became one of the songs of the summer in 2011. After more success, Maroon 5 scored a career highlight gig, performing the halftime show at Super Bowl LIII in 2019 (which unfortunately was a highlight-less game, with the Patriots out-squelching the Rams 13 to 3). The post-pandemic years have seen the band soldier on — or whatever the correct verb is for doing a two-year residency in Las Vegas, as Maroon 5 did. Their latest album is this year’s Love Is Like. Adam Levine still fronts the group. He’ll be front and center as Maroon 5 visits Pittsburgh for a concert at PPG Paints Arena. The opening artist is Claire Rozinkranz. 8 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (C.M./M.V.)

Saturday, November 22

Southern rock finds its way north with the Outlaws. For over 40 years, the band has been thriving in the Southern rock genre along with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Charlie Daniels, and The Allman Brothers. Founded in Tampa, Florida, in ’72, the Outlaws put forth a Southern rock opus with “Green Grass and High Tides” and scored a major hit with “There Goes Another Love Song.” Outlaw trademarks include beautiful vocal harmonies and intricate lead guitar play. Surviving the test of time, the inevitable evolution of popular music, and bandmates’ deaths, the Outlaws are definitely alive, kicking, and, it would seem, stronger than ever. The Outlaws are one of the original groups to proudly carry forward the Southern rock banner. The band’s latest album is 2020’s Dixie Highway. They come our way with special guest The Artimus Pyle Band. 7:30 p.m. Palace Theatre, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. (R.H.)

Other Shows of Interest

Sunday, November 2
Bachman-Turner Overdrive (Palace Theatre)

Thursday, November 6
North Mississippi All Stars (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)
Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers (Palace Theatre)

Saturday, November 8
Seether and Daughtry (UPMC Events Center)
Keller Williams (Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall)
The Crane Wives (Stage AE)
Good Brother Earl (Pittsburgh Winery)
8th Street Rox (Moondog’s Pub)

Wednesday, November 12
Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band (Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall)

Friday, November 14
Billy Price Band (Club Cafe)

Friday, November 14 & Saturday, November 16
The English Beat (City Winery)

Saturday, November 15
The Clarks and Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors (Palace Theatre)
Chip and the Chargeups (Mr. Smalls Funhouse)
Merce Lemon (The Sanctuary at Mr. Smalls)
Zack Keim (Club Cafe)

Sunday, November 16
Herman’s Hermits and The Grass Roots (Palace Theatre)
Rome (Mr. Smalls Theatre)

Tuesday, November 18
Queensryche (Palace Theatre)

Wednesday, November 19
All Time Low (UPMC Events Center)

Friday, November 21
Dr. Zoot & The Suits (Hollywood Casino at The Meadows)

Saturday, November 22
Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers (Downtown Pittsburgh Light Up Night)
Delta Struts Trio (Pittsburgh Winery)

Tuesday, November 25
Boz Scaggs (Palace Theatre)

Wednesday, November 26
Buzz Poets (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)
Joyce and Bill Toms Thanksgiving Benefit w/ Bill Toms and Hard Rain & special guest-Barbara Blue (City Winery)
Bill Henry Band (Pittsburgh Winery)

Friday, November 28
Gavin Degraw (Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall)

Big Shows on the Horizon

December 2
The Allman Betts Family Revival (Palace Theatre)

December 20
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (PPG Paints Arena)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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