May 2019 Concert Guide: The Who, Garth Brooks, Eric Church, Jackie Evancho, Whitesnake, Eddie Money, and Southern Rock

The Who performing at the Ahoy Rotterdam in 2007. (Photo: Joep Vullings and Wikipedia)

The Who performing at the Ahoy Rotterdam in 2007. (Photo: Joep Vullings and Wikipedia)

May sees us starting to swing into the main concert season. One of the mega acts this month is British rock legends The Who. They will be performing near the end of May at PPG Paints Arena. Another blockbuster show is Garth Brooks at Heinz Filed. Eric Church is having back to back concerts at PPG Paints Arena.

Whitesnake, a hugely popular 80’s and 90’s band, will pack the house at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. One of the early psychedelic rock bands of the 1960’s, Jefferson Starship, plays Jerel’s. Guitar virtuoso Tome Morello performs at a sold out show at The Rex. The always entertaining Eddie Money plays The Meadows.

In a very interesting juxtaposition on the same day we have the Outlaws & Renegades Tour (Travis Tritt and Charlie Daniels) and a concert by a performer with an angelic singing voice (Jackie Evancho). We also have the real rock group The Outlaws performing in the ‘Burgh this month.

On the hometown heroes scene, Joe Grushecky, Art Nardini and other members of the former Iron City Houserockers celebrate the 40th anniversary of their first major label release, Love’s So Tough, at Crafthouse. Garage rock band The Nox Boys celebrate the release of their second album at Mr Smalls. Lyndsey Smith is on the bill at the Women Who Rock event headlined by Sheila E. Another woman who can rock, and roll, and soul is Rachel B who will be performing at Club Cafe. For local music of all types and stripes the Millvale Music Festival will be happening this month. Plenty of great choices throughout the month, so head out and enjoy some live music.

The Entertainment Central Concert Guide is made up of three sections: EC Spotlighted Concerts, Other Suggested Concerts, and On the Radar. Each section lists concerts in chronological order. Christopher Maggio (CM) also made substantial contributions to the Guide. Mike Vargo (MV) contributed as well.

EC Spotlighted Concerts

Thursday, May 2

Television returns to Pittsburgh for a concert at Mr. Smalls Theatre. The band began in the early 1970s as the Neon Boys, before adopting the name Television in 1973. The group’s first album, 1977’s Marquee Moon, was critically acclaimed and is seen as one of the most influential early punk and alternative releases. But success was short-lived, with the band splitting up in 1978 after releasing one more studio album, Adventure. Guitarist and vocalist Tom Verlaine went on to have a successful solo career, releasing 10 studio albums. Television reunited in 1992, releasing a self-titled album to mark its return to recording after a 14-year hiatus. The members haven’t released an LP since, but continue to tour. The current line-up features Verlaine on vocals and guitar, Jimmy Rip on guitar, Billy Ficca on drums, and Fred Smith on bass (not the late MC5 guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith, who was married to Patti Smith). 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale.  (HM, CM)

Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4

Country star Eric Church opened for Kenny Chesney at Heinz Field in 2015. Now Church headlines PPG Paints Arena for back-to-back concerts over two days. No opening act. Just the promise of two different musical experiences as Church draws from his six-LP discography for each show. His followers, the Church Choir, should be pleased. The most recent of those LPs is 2018’s Desperate Man. Church is from North Carolina, but like many a country artist before him, he pursued his musical dream in Nashville. He released his debut album, Sinners Like Me, in 2006. His first song to enter Billboard’s Hot 100 Top 20 was “Springsteen.” You bet a song named after the Boss is going to have crossover potential. It helped that the tune told a vivid story over uplifting guitar chords, just as the Boss’s songs do. The video’s pretty good too. 8 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (CM)

Tuesday, May 7 & 8

The Mountain Goats pair narratives to lo-fi folk, such as on “Fall of the Star High School Running Back.” Singer-songwriter John Darnielle was able to transfer his talent for storytelling to the printed page in Wolf in White Van, his first novel, which was published in 2014. It was nominated for the 2014 National Book Award. 2017’s Universal Harvester is his second novel. Darnielle formed the band in 1991 in Claremont, California. Peter Hughes is its longtime bassist. Drummer Jon Wurster also plays in Superchunk, and multi-instrumentalist Matt Douglas rounds out the current line-up of the Mountain Goats, who are now based in Durham, North Carolina. The Bright Mountain Choir, a female ensemble, have contributed to albums. In League with Dragons, the Mountain Goats’ 17th studio album and one inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, was released this year. They will perform at Mr. Smalls Theatre. Shana Cleveland opens. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM)

Wednesday, May 8

Only Tom Morello could connect Chris Cornell, the Boss, and GZA. Morello is the guitarist for Rage Against the Machine. He also played in Audioslave, now disbanded since the untimely death of frontman Chris Cornell. In both groups, he added turntable-like effects to his classic-rock guitar style. He pinch-hit for Steven Van Zandt in the E Street Band when the latter was filming “Lilyhammer” in Sweden. Boss fans who saw Springsteen at PPG Paints Arena in 2014 were treated to a high-octane rendition of “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” which Rage Against the Machine covered in 1997. Morello’s other credits include the supergroups Street Sweeper Social Club and Prophets of Rage. He also formed a folk alias, The Nightwatchman, in 2003 and has released four albums under the moniker. But last year, he released his first solo album, The Atlas Underground, under his own name. It features guests as varied as Marcus Mumford and GZA. His show at the Rex Theater is already sold out. The Last Internationale opens. 8 p.m. 1602 E. Carson, St., South Side. (CM)

Saturday, May 11

Classic rocker Eddie Money rolls into town for a show at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino. Money (née Mahoney) comes from a New York City Irish Catholic family with several members serving as police officers. Money was even a New York City Police officer trainee for a while and then, luckily for music lovers, decided to pursue his musical interests. He rose to fame in late 1978 with the hits “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Baby Hold On.” Other top songs include ’79’s “Gimme Some Water,” with its blazing lead guitar runs and strongly sung narrative of an outlaw on the run, and ’80’s rumbling mystical tale “Trinidad.” He went on to more success and scored a big hit in 1986 when he recorded “Take Me Home Tonight,” a duet with the legendary (1960s) girl group singer Ronnie Spector. Money’s last album was 2010’’s Covers (Vol. 1 & 2). He is currently starring in his own reality show on AXS TV called “Real Money.” It revolves around him, wife Laurie, their five kids, and eight pets. 8 p.m. 210 Racetrack Rd., Washington. (RH)

Tuesday, May 14  

British rock group Whitesnake was formed in 1978 by David Coverdale after he left Deep Purple. They are known for the high-charting songs “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love.” Both songs are from their self-titled album of 1987 and reached number one and two, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Whitesnake achieved 8 times platinum status in the U.S. The group’s latest album, Flesh & Blood, is set for release on May 10. One of the tracks from the new LP is the rockn’ “Shut Up & Kiss Me.” Another fun titled cut is “Trouble is Your Middle Name.” Lead guitarist and Pittsburgh native Reb Beach has been playing with Whitesnake since 2002. 7:30 p.m. Palace Theatre, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. (RH)

Thursday, May 16

“Ooh girl, shock me like an electric eel,” is a great line from “Electric Feel” by the band MGMT. Their sound has a driven rhythmic beat with hauntingly harmonic vocals, smooth guitars, and prominent keyboard play. It’s a new age, trippy rock. MGMT was formed by Benjamin Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden at Wesleyan University in 2002 when they were freshmen. Their debut album, Oracular Spectacular, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart in 2008 and was named the 18th best album of the decade by Rolling Stone. The album also produced hits “Kids” and “Time to Pretend.” MGMT was nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy in 2010. Originally the band was called The Management but changed their name because another band had the same name. They are touring in support of their 2018 album release Little Dark Age. It is their first new LP in five years. Special guest is Warpaint. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Stage AE, 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (RH)

MGMT performing at The Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal, Canada in 2017. (photo: Mars3 and Wikipedia)

MGMT performing at The Osheaga Music and Arts Festival in Montreal, Canada in 2017. (photo: Mars3 and Wikipedia)

Friday, May 17

1965 was the year rock turned seriously psychedelic. Among other things, three new groups emerged from the San Francisco area’s folk-rock scene sounding more like musicians from another planet: the Grateful Dead, Country Joe and the Fish (remember them?)—and Jefferson Airplane. Airplane’s co-founder, Paul Kantner, started his successor band, Jefferson Starship, to play the music of Jefferson Airplane and more. Kantner died in 2016 at the age of 74, but the music goes on. David Freiberg (acoustic guitar and vocals) has played with the band intermittently since 1972 and is a rich source of wisdom and history for the other members. Starship’s female vocalist, Cathy Richardson, has a big voice that wakes the echoes. It’s impossible to replace Grace Slick, who is a painter now, but Richardson does a mighty fine job in her own right. Expect to hear Woodstock-era numbers like “Volunteers” and “White Rabbit” in a show that should be a trip. So trip on out to Jergel’s. 8 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale. (MV, RH)

Jacksonville-based rock band 38 Special was formed in the mid-‘70s by friends Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant (brother of Lynyrd Skynryd lead singers Johnny and the late Ronnie Van Zant). Although Donnie left 38 Special a few years ago, Barnes is still there on lead vocals and multi-instruments, and the group hasn’t eased off the gas at all. 38 Special’s genre at its inception was something that wouldn’t sound out-of-place on Dazed and Confused’s soundtrack—kind of a southern-style rock ‘n’ roll. However, their sound has shifted and evolved considerably. For example, compare 1978’s “I’m A Fool For You” with their breakout hit “Hold On Loosely,” only three years later (which was their first major hit and remains their biggest hit to this day). The difference is notable—but what each entry in 38 Special’s library has in common is that every song showcases their outstanding ability to rock out. Which they’ll be doing at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino. 8 p.m. 210 Racetrack rd., Washington. (EC, RH)

When you hear the term “singer-songwriter,” you tend to think of somebody doing folk-type tunes with a guitar—but think again, because here comes Jeffrey Osborne. Doesn’t matter whether you call it soul or funk or R&B; Osborne has done it for a long time at a high level. Born into a musical family, he is one of 12 children of the late jazz trumpeter Clarence “Legs” Osborne. Young Jeffrey broke into the big time during the 1970s, starting as the drummer and co-lead vocalist (with his brother Billy) for the band L.T.D., then becoming the main front man. Osborne went solo in 1980 and has had quite a career since then: 13 albums (including five that made the top-10 on the U.S. R&B charts), hit singles like the 1988She’s on the Left,” TV and movie work, and writing for and/or recording with female vocalists such as Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick. Osborne performs here at the newly opened Rivers Casino Event Center. 8 p.m. 777 Casino Dr., North Shore. (MV)

Saturday, May 18

Garth Brook’s sings about having “Friends in Low Places,” well he also has a lot of friends in Pittsburgh places as he is performing a sold out show at Heinz Field. He previously played six concerts in four days at Consol Energy Center in 2015. Brooks shot to fame quickly with his first traditional style country album Garth Brooks, rising to number two on the U.S. Country charts. Not bad for a young Oklahoman. Next up he combined the country twang in his voice and guitar with rock sensibilities and garnered a huge success with the 1990 album release No Fences. The album produced the hits “The Thunder Rolls,” “Friends in Low Places,” and “Unanswered Prayers.” The release spent 23 weeks at no.1 on the Billboard Country charts. Brooks is a multiple Grammy Award winner and the number one over all album seller since 1991. He has released two singles in advance of his upcoming album Fun.

Brook’s wife Trisha Yearwood, a Grammy Award-winning country music star, celebrity chef, and author, will be holding one of her Trishia’s Tailgate events before her hubby’s concert. Guests will enjoy some of Yearwood’s favorite tailgate foods and drinks, as well as good music. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. Don’t forget your boots and beer money. 7 p.m. 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore. (RH)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIaS_vYIQ_A&t=157s

Southern rock finds its way north with the 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. And now with Lynyrd Skynyrd on their farewell tour, The Outlaws will be one of the groups to proudly carry forward the southern rock banner. 8 p.m. Sold out. Jergel’s, 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale. (RH)

Thursday, May 30

The Who are one of the quintessential rock bands of our time, emerging on the mod scene in England in 1964. Although they were Mods they rocked hard with Pete Townshend‘s windmill power chords, Roger Daltrey‘s dynamic vocals, Keith Moon’s amazing drumming, and John Entwistle’s stand out bass lines. Unfortunately, Moon and Entwistle have joined the great rock band in the sky. The Who in their formative years were known for destroying their instruments and equipment on stage in a power meltdown. This reflected the auto-destructive wing of the pop art movement. On a more constructive note The Who were pioneers in another art form—the rock opera—creating Tommy (’69) and Qudrophenia (’73). Those rock operas spawned the hits respectively “Pinball Wizard,” “We’re Not Going to Take It” and “The Real Me,” “The Punk and the Godfather.” Their touring band includes Townshend’s brother Simon on lead guitar and vocals and Ringo Starr’s son Zak Starkey on drums. For their current Moving On! Tour, which who knows, could be the band’s last one, they are performing with a symphonic orchestra. The Who are touring in advance of an upcoming album release later this year. 7:30 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown (RH)

Friday, May 31

The Outlaws and Renegades Tour rolls into Stage AE this May with Travis Tritt, Charlies Daniels, and The Cadillac Three for an outdoor show. Remember pay phones? Fans of Travis Tritt certainly do. “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” was one of the country star’s first big hits when he released it as a single in 1991. The song was from his album It’s All About to Change—and while times and technology have changed, Tritt has just kept going with his straight-ahead country/rock tunes accompanied by memorable lyrics. His resume now includes 12 albums, four CMA Awards, two Grammys, and a host of TV and film appearances. (MV)

Country/rock superstar Charlie Daniels and his Charlie Daniels Band have always had a special affinity with Pittsburgh. He’s been a frequent visitor and has even sang 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. Charlie Hayward is the band’s longtime bass player. Charlie Daniel’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. The Cadillac Three is a Southern rock band composed of three Nashville, Tennessee natives. Doors open at 6 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (RH)

Charlie Daniels is highly skilled at both the fiddle and guitar.

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

Who knew there was a world-class voice talent living in the Pine-Richland area? Well, evidently, Jackie Evancho knew! She started out by entering talent contests, including St. Barnabas’ Kean Idol. Acting was also in Evancho’s early repertoire. She performed in Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s version of High School Musical in 2007. She cut an independent album, Prelude to a Dream, and what a prelude to a dream it was. Evancho posted videos of her performances to YouTube. She was turned down twice in auditions for NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” The third time was indeed the charm. The ladder to mega-stardom presented itself in 2010 after the nation heard her incredible classical song performances on “America’s Got Talent.” She came in second. Since then, she has recorded five albums, all of which achieved success on the music charts, and is the youngest artist ever to achieve platinum sales status. She sang the national anthem at President Trump’s inauguration in 2017. Evancho is now 19 years old and seeking to cast off the child prodigy image. She has just released an album titled Debut. On it she sings songs of Broadway’s new American songbook. 8 p.m. Byham Theater, 101 6th St., Cultural District. (RH)

Jackie Evancho performing in a 2013 concert. Photo: Joan Hall and Wikipedia.

Jackie Evancho performing in a 2013 concert. Photo: Joan Hall and Wikipedia.

Other Suggested Concerts

Saturday, May 4

The Ohio Players’ “Love Rollercoaster” was a number one single for the Dayton funkateers. One minute and 24 seconds into it, someone screams. The most widely circulated explanation involved Ester Cordet, the model on the Honey album cover. The story goes the heated honey left her burned—her scream is either from the burns or from the band’s manager stabbing her to death (!) after she threatened to sue for her disfigurement. Complete urban legend; it was really keyboardist Billy Beck. Cordet, a former Playboy Playmate, is still alive as of this writing. “Love Rollercoaster” is a standout tune and one of two number one hits for the band—the other was “Fire.” The group brings the funk to the Rivers Casino. 8 p.m. 777 Casino Dr., North Shore. (CM)

The music video for Sasami’s “Morning Comes” features her grandma, Halmoni, making kimchi in the style of a Korean cooking show. The food looks delicious, but Sasami’s angelic voice, skittering guitar, and happy-go-lucky bass lines may leave you hungry for more music. Luckily, Sasami is performing at Club Cafe. Her eponymous debut album was released this March, so here’s a chance to see an artist on the up. Empath opens. 8 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. (CM)

Tuesday, May 7

DMX has had his share of hits, like “Party Up (Up in Here),” as well as run-ins with the law. He plays a sold-out concert at the Foxtail. The show is part of his It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot 20th Anniversary tour. The album, his debut, was released in 2018. 9 p.m. 1601 E. Carson St., South Side. (CM)

Timothy Showalter is Strands of Oaks. A native Hoosier, he is an adopted Pennsylvanian, as he is now based in Philadelphia. His sixth album is titled Eraserland, which was released this year. Watch his performance of “Ruby” on “the Late Show with Stephen Colbert” closely. You’ll spot Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, and members of My Morning Jacket. If you appreciate that, he performs at Club Cafe. Apex Manor opens. 8 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. (CM)

Friday, May 10

The Tallest Man on Earth visits the Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall. He was born Kristian Matsson and is from Sweden. It’s been four years since his last album, Dark Bird Is Home, but he’s back this year with I Love You. It’s a Fever Dream. In between, he released some interesting video series on YouTube: The Light in Demos and When the Bird Sees the Solid Ground. He explains the title of the latter and performs a song, “An Ocean,” in the first episode. 9 p.m. 510 E 10th Ave., Munhall. (CM)

Saturday, May 11

The free Millvale Music Festival returns for an annual showcase of myriad local musicians, who will play indoor venues, like the Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, and outdoor venues, like the GAP Park. One longtime Pittsburgh act is the Weird Paul Rock Band, fronted by the irreverent and bowlcut Weird Paul himself. Another act, Murder for Girls, is hot off the release of its sophomore LP, 2017’s All the Pretty Stars. Here are the members performing “Penny Marshall.” Other acts are Gene the Werewolf, Jess Klein and the Good Time, Brittney Chantele, Tupelo and Noah, and The Filthy Lowdown. The festival will also include the unveiling of a new mural. Check the festival’s website for a full line-up and list of venues, which include popular bars, cafés, and craft breweries. 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Millvale. (CM)

Tuesday, May 14

The Penske File references the “Seinfeld” episode when George Costanza, unsure what to do with said file but wanting to appear like he understands, instead does nothing (except move its contents to an accordion-style folder). We dig the reference, and hey, songs like “Kamikaze Kids” are pretty good too. If you think you’re Penske material, see this rock band, who hail from Burlington, Ontario, Canada, at the Funhouse at Mr. Smalls. Latecomer opens. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Milvale. (CM)

Friday, May 17

Nox Boys will celebrate the release of their sophomore album, Out of Touch, at Mr. Smalls Theatre. The boys are from Blawnox and include an uncle on slide guitar. They play garage rock, such as on “Military School.” Pet Clinic and Josh Verbanets from Meeting of Important People open. Max T from the Attic Record Store will also perform a DJ set. 7 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM)

Saturday, May 18

The Spinners, a male vocal and dance group who originated in the suburbs of Detroit, enjoyed considerable success in the ’70s with top 10 hits including “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” “The Rubber Band Man,” (If they were from Pittsburgh it would be “The Gum Band Man”) and “I’ll Be Around.” In ’74, they teamed up with Dionne Warwick to produce the number one smash hit “Then Came You.” During the 1960s The Spinners were with Motown before switching to the Atlantic label in the ’70s. The Spinners still tour regularly and have one original Spinner remaining—Henry Fambrough, who has been in the band since its formation in 1954. That’s a lot of R&B. 8 p.m. The Meadows Racetrack and Casino, 210 Racetrack Rd., Washington. (RH)

It is the 40th anniversary of the Iron City Houserockers‘ major label debut release, Love’s So Tough. The album captured their gritty, no frills sound. Hot tracks from the LP include “Love’s So Tough” and “Hideaway.” The Iron City Houserockers were led by Joe Grushecky who has his own modern day iteration of the band with original bass player Art Nardini. For this special anniversary Grushecky and Nardini  will be joined by former bandmates Ned E. Rankin and Marc Reisman. They will be performing all the songs from the album. Chet Vincent and Biirdwatchers open. 9 p.m. Crafthouse Stage & Grill, 5024 Curry Rd, Whitehall. (RH)

St. Lucia—the stage name for Jean-Philip Grobler—performs with his band for an “intimate and acoustic” show at the Rex Theater. Grobler grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, and sang with the internationally known Drakensberg Boys Choir. When older, he moved to Liverpool, England, to study for three years before moving to Brooklyn, New York, where he started his musical career. His latest album is 2018’s Hyperion, which includes the single “Walking Away.” Airpark opens. 8 p.m. 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. (RH, CM)

A versatile singer, songwriter, and keyboardist, Rachel B touches on several different genres, including pop, dance, soul, and a little bit of jazz. You can hear her versatility on “I’m the Boss” from her 2016 debut album of the same name. She has played in electro-pop trio little good bad (+ -), and she recently performed at Paint the Square Green in Market Square for this year’s Earth Day. New solo material is currently in the works. In the meantime, Rachel B will perform with the PGH Circus Arts Collaborative at Club Cafe. 7 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. (EC, CM)

Wednesday, May 22

Sebadoh will perform at Mr. Smalls Theatre. The band is fronted by Dinosaur Jr. bassist Lou Barlow. Sebadoh is recognizable for its lo-fi sound, which characterized many ’80s and ’90s indie-rock bands. You can hear that sound on songs such as “Rebound.” The trio’s latest album is this year’s Act Surprised. FLOWER opens. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM)

Sunday, May 26

Hozier, born Andrew Hozier-Byrne, looks like a barista, what with the scruffy hair and beard, but this Irish singer-songwriter sings in the blues tradition of Robert Johnson and Howlin’ Wolf. Hozier’s inescapable single, “Take Me to Church,” was everywhere in 2014. His new album is 2019’s Wasteland, Baby!; “Nina Cried Power” features Mavis Staples. He will perform for a sold-out crowd at the Benedum Center. 8 p.m. 237 7th St. and Penn Ave., Cultural District. (CM)

Thursday, May 30

It’s a night of Women Who Rock at Stage AE. Sheila E., a noted drummer, singer, and frequent collaborator with the late Prince, headlines. (The pair collaborated on 1986’s “A Love Bizarre.”) Local soul singer Lyndsey Smith also performs. WDVE FM’s Michelle Michaels hosts. The concert also features Sounds of Pittsburgh Women’s A Cappella Chorus, the Rising Star Contest winner, and DJ Jess. Proceeds benefit women’s health at Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation. Doors open 6:30 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (CM)

On the Radar

Saturday, June 1
Local Natives and Middle Kids (Stage AE)

Sunday, June 2
David Crosby (Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall)
Machine Gun Kelly (Stage AE)

Wednesday, June 5
Sammy Hagar and Night Ranger (Highmark Stadium)

Friday, June 7
India.Arie (Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival)
Luke Bryan (KeyBank Pavilion)
Twenty-One Pilots (PPG Paints Arena)
Death Cab for Cutie (Stage AE)
George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic (Rivers Casino)

Saturday, June 8
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives (TRAF)

Sunday, June 9
Nahko and Medicine for the People (TRAF)

Monday, June 10
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Brass (TRAF)
Coheed and Cambria and Mastodon (Stage AE)

Tuesday, June 11
Karl Denson;s Tiny Universe (TRAF)

Wednesday, June 12
Ariana Grande (PPG Paints Arena)
The Lemonheads with special guest Tommy Stinson (Mr. Smalls Theatre)
Kaia Karter (TRAF)

Thursday, June 13
Lucius (TRAF)

Friday, June 14
Too Many Zooz (TRAF)
98 Degrees (The Meadows)

Saturday, June 15
Todd Rundgren (The Palace)
Byron Nash (TRAF)
Average White Band (The Meadows)

Tuesday, June 18
The Milk Carton Kids (Mr Smalls Theatre)
Norah Jones (Heinz Hall)

Thursday, June 20
lovelytheband (Stage AE)
Keb Mo (The Palace)

Thursday, June 20 to Sunday, June 23
Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival: Patti LaBelle, Stanley Clarke, War, Black Women Rock, Tamara Tunie, Roger Humphries, and more. (Cultural district)

Friday, June 21
The Royal Affair Tour featuring YES, Asia, John Lodge (of The Moody Blues), Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy with guest vocals by Arthur Brown (Stage AE)
Robyn Hitchcock (Club cafe)

Saturday, June 22
Outlaw Music Festival: Willie Nelson, The Avett Brothers, Alison Krauss, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Dawes. (KeyBank Pavilion)
Marshall Tucker Band (The Meadows)
Donnie Iris (CHMH)

Sunday, June 23
New Kids on the Block (PPG Paints Arena)

Tuesday, June 25
Catfish and the Bottlemen (Stage AE)

Thursday, June 27
Young the Giant and Fitz and the Tantrums (Stage AE)

Friday, June 28
Zac Brown Band (KeyBank Pavilion)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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