Concert Guide October 2024: Stevie Wonder, Billie Eilish, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, and The Black Crowes

Billie Eilish performing with her brother, and longtime collaborator, Finneas O’Connell at ALT 98.7 FM’s “ALTer EGO” concert at The Forum in Los Angeles in 2020. (Photo: Justin Higuchi and Wikipedia)

October’s concert scene features several outstanding performers. First and foremost is Stevie wonder who has been creating popular and innovative music since the 1960’s. Another top musician is Billie Eilish, she hasn’t been making music as long as Wonder, but she has definitely made her mark. Two of country music’s hottest stars are playing the ‘Burgh. Lainey Wilson at The Pete and Jelly Roll at PPG Paints Arena. southern roots rock is also well represented with The Outlaws, The Black Crowes, and Sturgill Simpson.

Lake Street Dive, Soul Asylum, Southside Johnny, and the Dropkick Murphys are also fantastic concert choices. Additionally, Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors are holding an album release show at Mr. Smalls.

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

Tuesday, October 1

Lake Street Dive members met while students at Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music. They named their band after a dive-bar-rich street in Minneapolis, former bandmate Mike Olson’s hometown. Their sound has touches of pop, Americana, jazz, and soul. For proof of their cross-genre appeal, check out 2016’s Side Pony, their fifth LP. It debuted at the top of three Billboard album charts—Rock, Folk, and Alternative. “Call Off Your Dogs,” a song from that album, moves in many musical directions and features a music video filmed at the famed Electric Lady Studios in New York City. Another top hit for Lake Street Dive is Bad Self Portraits from their 2014 album of the same name. Keyboardist Akie Bermiss joined the band in 2017. Lead singer Rachel Price has a lovely soul, pop voice which is one of the reasons for Lake Street Dive’s success, as well as helping her forge a successful solo career. The band played the inaugural Maple House Festival at Hartwood Acres. The group’s latest LP is Good Together, which was released in June. You can see them at Stage AE. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Special guest is Tiny Habits. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (C.M., R.H.)

Saturday, October 5

“I only talk to God when I need a favor / I only pray when I ain’t got a prayer”: The lines are a clever paraphrase of the philosophy of 12-step groups. The point is that the Higher Power responds best to a steady relationship, but will—if asked sincerely—answer a crisis call. That’s what the singer known as Jelly Roll is hoping for in “Need a Favor,” the lead single on last year’s Whitsitt Chapel. Jelly Roll (born Jason DeFord) comes from a real-life background that has included jail time, lots of substance abuse, and personal tragedies. And maybe what resonates with people is that he offers no simple answers. His songs convey no pride in being a hard-knocks survivor or a recovery ninja; no assurance that his soul has been saved. As Jelly Roll sings it, life is complicated and he’s a struggling soul, often teetering between a leap forward and a backslide. (Try “Save Me.”)  If that sounds like a humbler view, and one more in line with many people’s reality—well, there you go. Jelly Roll comes to PPG Paints Arena on his Beautifully Broken Tour, named for his new album. Guest artists are Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay. 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (M.V.) 

Tuesday, October 8

There are times when writing about music is really hard. One of them is when Stevie Wonder is coming to town, and you can only pick a few of his songs to highlight. “Living for the City” (above) is an era-defining blast from the 1970s. Then it’s a tough choice between “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” and “I Was Made to Love Her.” It’d be bad luck to leave out “Superstition.” And for historical context, let’s go  ‘way back to when he was called “Little Stevie Wonder” and put in “Fingertips.” Born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in 1950, Stevie got the Wonder moniker in 1961 from Motown’s Berry Gordy, who was awed by the then-11-year-old prodigy. Since then, through many awards and honors, he’s earned a reputation as an influential musical genius. Wonder is also known for calling attention to social issues and social justice. For the final run-up to this November’s election, he has planned a whirlwind tour called Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart—and the tour kicks off here in Pittsburgh with a concert at PPG Paints Arena. 8 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (M.V.)

Sunday, October 13

When Billie Eilish hit it big on the national scene in 2019 with her first studio album, When We Fall Asleep Where Do We Go, it shinned the spotlight on a very interesting person. She spoke about how her brother Finneas is a strong collaborator with her on her music. And that she also has Tourette syndrome, synesthesia, and had experienced depression and even contemplated suicide at one point. Luckily she has held up during her personal trials and continued to create hit songs like “Bad Guy” with it’s electro-pop beats and strong chorus hook. The song reached the no. 1 spot on the Billboard 100. Four other songs from the album reached the top ten on the singles chart. Eilish has garnered an impressive amount of award hardware including nine Grammys. Her follow-up 2021 album, Happier than Ever, picked up right where the previous one left off, reaching number one in 25 countries. The theme song for the James Bond film, No Time to Die, was co-written and performed by Eilish too. Her latest studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, dropped in May. In August Eilish sang “Birds of a Feather” (from the new album) on Belmont Shore, Long Beach, during the 2024 Summer Olympics closing ceremony as part of the transfer of the Summer Games to Los Angeles, for 2028. She has the golden touch and you can catch her at PPG Paints Arena. Special guests are Nat and Alex Wolff. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H.)

Friday, October 18

Alternative-country musician Sturgill Simpson is visiting Pittsburgh, but don’t call him Sturgill. These days he goes by Johnny Blue Skies, the name under which he composed and recorded his new album Passage du Desir (French for “Passage of Desire”), having previously resolved to create only so-many studio albums under his birth name, for reasons that surely have reason behind them. We are talking about an artist who definitely puts the “alt” in “alternative.” In 2014, as Simpson, he released the acclaimed Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, which includes “Life of Sin” (above) and is done in the spirit of metamodernism. Award-wise, his 2016 release A Sailor’s Guide to Earth won the Grammy for Best Country Album and was also nominated for Album of the Year. Cinematically, he has made an animated Netflix film; played a zombie in (and furnished the title song for) The Dead Don’t Die, and had a role in last year’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Simpson brings his Why Not? Tour to Petersen Events Center, billing Johnny Blue Skies as the concert’s “very special guest.” 7 p.m. 3719 Terrace St., Oakland. (M.V.)

Saturday, October 19

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 “Little Hanks” Buzzards. 7:30 p.m. Palace Theatre, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. (R.H.)

Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors are one of Pittsburgh’s top rock/jam bands. They are very active on the local music scene, playing brewery shows, Allegheny Summer Concert Series, Rivers Casino, festivals and even the Pittsburgh Earth Day festivities at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. The Sun King Warriors have been working on a new album for the last two years and they are ready for its big debut at an album release show at Mr. Smalls Theatre. Jim Donovan was one of the members of Rusted Root, a very successful jam rock band in the 1990’s. 7:30 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (R.H.)

Thursday, October 24

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes are bringing their wall-of-sound to Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall this month. The band features a New Jersey rock sound complemented by a very 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 especially well known for the songs “Trapped Again,” “Without Love,” and “We’re Having A Party.” Their most recent release is 2017’s Asbury Park to Paris: Non Stop. 8 p.m. 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall. (R.H.)

Soul Asylum is an innovative alternative rock group that formed in Minneapolis in 1983 and has recorded many memorable songs including “Somebody to Shove,” “Runaway Train” and “Black Gold.” “Runaway Train” won the 1994 Grammy for Rock Song of the Year. The band’s most recent album is this year’s, Slowly but Shirley. That title evokes memories of the bit in the film comedy Airplane, “Surely you must be joking.” “I’m not joking and don’t call me Shirley.” No joking, Soul Asylum is coming to town to perform at Mr. Smalls Theatre. Opening is the Juliana Hatfield Three. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (R.H.)

Saturday, October 26

“Drinkin’ watermelon moonshine / We cut the burn with a little lime / Parkin’ back in them kudzu vines / I was his and every bit of that boy was mine” are some of the lyrics from one of country singer Lainey Wilson’s top hits, “Watermelon Moonshine.” Wilson has been burning up the country scene, and the charts with her harmonic, southern drawl-fueled vocals. The Baskin, Louisiana, native has attracted a lot of hardware including seven Country Music Association Awards, and winning their top honor Entertainer of the Year in 2023. Wilson has also received a Grammy Award and six Academy of Country Music Awards. Another big hit for her was “Heart Like a Truck.” That song was nominated for Song of the Year and Single of the Year in both the CMA and ACM Awards. Whirlwind is Wilson’s latest album and was released in August. Wilson joined the cast of “Yellowstone” in 2022 as Abby. She is also known for her creative country outfits and if you’re wondering whatever happened to former Steeler’s quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges, well that’s Wilson’s boyfriend. Saddle up and see Lainey Wilson at Petersen Events Center on her Country’s Cool Again Tour with Ian Munsick and Zach Top. 7 p.m. 3719 Terrace St., University of Pittsburgh, Oakland. (R.H.)

Not often does a band name itself after an alcohol rehab facility operated by a former pro wrestler. So far, this has happened only once. 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 12 albums and countless live shows, they’ve built a stirring repertoire. “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” (above) is a fire-em-up anthem used by Boston-area sports teams, the Ireland national rugby team, and others. Some of their songs evoke a traditional Irish sound, as in “Rose Tattoo.” And they’ve got a militant side: try this version of Florence Reece’s “Which Side Are You On?” The Dropkick Murphys are sociopolitically conscious and pro-labor, pro-union. Their latest album, last year’s Okemah Rising, consists entirely of songs written by Woody Guthrie. (Sorry, no “This Land Is Your Land,” but numbers like “My Eyes Are Gonna Shine” really raise the roof.)  Imagine the scene—or better yet, be on the scene—when the Dropkick Murphys play UPMC Events Center a few nights before election day. Guest artists are Pennywise and Dublin’s own The Scratch. 7:30 p.m. 6001 University Blvd., Moon Township. (M.V.) 

Tuesday, October 29

The Black Crowes are one of America’s top rock outfits and have the catalog to back that up. Their initial album, Shake your Money Maker, released in 1990, produced the hits “Hard to Handle,” “She Talks to Angels,” “Jealous Again” and the title track. All spent time at or near the top of the charts. The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, the band’s follow-up album paid homage to an old hymn, Southern Harmony, and was another hitmaker spinning off hot rockers like “Remedy,” “Sting Me,” “Thorn in My Pride,” and “Hotel Illness.” All reached no. 1 on the charts, an amazing feat that eclipsed Tom Petty three no. 1’s from the same album in 1989. Other interesting rockers from the Crowes catalog include “Wiser Time” and “Nebakanezer.”

The Black Crowe’s signature sound is composed of strong harmonies, top guitar playing, creative drumming/percussion, and melodic keys. They can do a tight 4 minute rock song or go on an extended jam. Although harmony is a big part of the sound, the band’s brotherhood of Chris (lead vocals) and Rich Robinson (lead guitar) has at times been less than harmonious, with several breakups and reunions. Their latest album title, Happiness Bastards, might be the “battlin’ brothers” poking a little fun at themselves. Let’s hope The Black Crowes stay together for a long time to come. Special guest is Tash Neal. 7:30 p.m. UPMC Events Center, RMU, 6001 University Blvd., Moon Township.  (R.H.)

The Black Crowes performing at the Newport Folk Festival in 2008. (photo: DickClarkMises and Wikipedia).

Other Shows of Interest

Tuesday, October 2
Kim Richey (City Winery)

Friday, October 4
Dan Radin (Club Cafe)

Sunday, October 6
Robbie Krieger (City Winery)
Etta Cox (Con Alma)

Monday, October 7
Marcus King (Roxian Theatre)

Tuesday, October 8
Hatebreed (Roxian Theatre)

Wednesday, October 9
Kaleo (Roxian Theatre)
Scott Blasey (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Friday, October 11
Bill Toms & Hard Rain (Rivers Casino)

Saturday, October 12
The Mountain Goats (Mr. Smalls Theatre)

Monday, October 14
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears (Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall)
Laura Benanti (Greer Cabaret Theater)

Tuesday, October 15
Rachael Yamagata (Club Cafe)

Friday, October 18 & Saturday, October 19
Hanson (Roxian Theatre)

Saturday, October 19
Rick Springfield (Rivers Casino Event Center)
Justin Fabus (Rivers Casino)

Sunday, October 20
John Waite (City Winery)

Tuesday, October 22
Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets (Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall)

Wednesday, October 23
Robyn Hitchcock (Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall)
Buena Vista Social Club (Roxian Theatre)

Thursday, October 24
Mitchell Tenpenny (Stage AE)
Here Come the Mummies (Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall)
Loudon Wainwright III (City Winery)

Saturday, October 26
Billy Crain (Moondog’s Pub)
Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore with The Guilty One (City Winery)
Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin “Brasil” (MCG Jazz)
Billy Price Band (Club Cafe)

Saturday, October 27
Donnie Iris & The Cruisers (Roxian Theatre)

Thursday, October 31
Roger Humphries & RH Factor (Con Alma)

Big Shows on the Horizon

November 1
Little Big Town (PPG Paints Arena)

November 2
Billy Ocean (Rivers Casino Events Center)

November 8
Iron Maiden (PPG Paints Arena)

November 10
Kacey Musgraves (PPG Paints Arena)

November 15
Dave Matthews Band (PPG Paints Arena)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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