Concert Guide May 2026: Bruce Springsteen, ZZ Top, Lyle Lovett, Don Toliver, Afghan Whigs, Ultra Sunn, and Billy Price

In sailing there is a term called “In the irons” which means that the boat is dead in the water due to facing the wind head on. If in May we are “in irons” then we are heading into the wind of the summer concert season, which blows in next month. Anyway, this month still features some entertaining performers. First and foremost is Bruce Springsteen who is at PPG on his Land of Hope & Dreams tour. Another big deal this month is the Afghan Whigs who are celebrating their 40th anniversary as a group at Mr. Smalls. Texas rockers ZZ Top play The Palace. Acclaimed singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett will be playing a three-night run at City Winery. Don Toliver, who is not only a rapper, but also a Renaissance man is at PPG Paints Arena. Belgium group Ultra Sunn will bring the dance beats to Spirit. Pittsburgh’s legendary blues/soul/rock performer, Billy Price, has a new album out and is having a big show at Pittsburgh Shrine Center to celebrate. City Winery will be hosting another legendary group this month, The Silencers. And music will be emanating from almost every inch of Millvale as it is time once again for the Millvale Music Festival.

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, May 2

The Afghan Whigs are in concert at Mr. Smalls Theatre as part of their 40th Anniversary Tour. From Cincinnati, Ohio, the group rose to prominence in the ’90s. The Whigs combined rock and soul and scored a hit with “Debonair.” The single, from 1993’s Gentlemen, charted on the Modern Rock Top 20. The band broke up in 2001, briefly reunited in 2006 for a greatest hits album, and reunited again in 2012. Afghan Whigs guitarist Dave Rosser died in 2017. The group has announced their first new music since their 2022 LP How Do You Burn?, with the recent release of their single, “House of I.” Look for a new album later this year. Afghan Whigs co-founder Greg Dulli said this about the band’s anniversary: “40 years later, I still get to do the thing I love the most. Writing songs and performing them with my friends all over the world. I truly have to pinch myself.” 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (C.M., R.H.)

Sunday, May 3

Pittsburgh soul and blues legend Billy Price knew from an early age that he wanted to be a singer. Growing up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Price (then known by his formal name, William Pollak) sang in grade school and had the most popular bands in junior and senior high. And of course the band was doing all soul songs. He also had a band while attending Penn State University. After graduating he was in the Rhythm Kings, even playing the famous Fox Cafe in Shadyside. He was noticed by the late, renowned blues rock guitarist, Roy Buchanan, who drafted him to be the lead singer of his band. Post-Buchanan, Price formed the highly talented Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band. And after closing the chapter on the Keystone Rhythm Band after many years, he went on to have a richly rewarding solo career which included being nominated for and winning numerous national blues awards including the prestigious Blues Music Award. He even recorded an album with the late great soul singer Otis Clay.

In 2024 Price reached a new zenith in his career with his first-ever album of all original songs, Person of Interest. See our story on the making of the album. He and his band are having a record release concert at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center for their new album, Random Madness, named after one of the 11 new songs recorded at The Vault with producer Tony Braunagel and engineer Jimmy Hoyson. 5 p.m. 1877 Shriners Way, Cheswick. (R.H.)

Saturday, May 9

Ultra Sunn, a very popular underground band from Belgium will be performing at Spirit. The group recently dropped their new single, “Flirt With Death,” a reminder to see battling hardship as a sign of resilience and immense strength rather than a sign of failure, Also new from the band is a live video for their crowd pleaser, “Keep Your Eyes Peeled.” The post punk, electrobeat duo is composed of frontman Sam Huge and keyboardist Gaelle Souflet. The Beast in You is the latest LP from this darkwave band. Ultra Sunn’s shows combine great beats, vocals, synthesizers, strobes, and contemporary design to form a welcoming community for club kids, punks, ravers, and romantics. Also on the bill are Traitrs, and Hemlock for Socrates. 8 p.m. 242 51st St., Lawrenceville. (R.H)

Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16

The free Millvale Music Festival returns for its annual showcase of myriad local musicians, who will play indoor venues, like Mr. Smalls, and outdoor venues, like the GAP Park. The event promises over 350 acts on 32 stages plus 60 visual artists, spoken word performers, comedians, and food trucks. Performances include many of the top names in local musical talent and lesser-known acts who can put on a good show too. Check the festival’s website for a full lineup and list of venues, which include popular bars, cafés, parklets, and craft breweries. All over Millvale. (R.H.)

Tuesday, May 19

The first song that I can remember hearing by multi-Grammy-Award winner Bruce Springsteen was “Born to Run.” I loved the music and the lyrics! What I especially noticed was what sounded like tiny bells playing throughout the song. Only later did I learn this was the result of a glockenspiel played by the late E Street Band member Danny Federici. Other early favorites were “Backstreets” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.” I then went on to ravenously enjoy every song on Darkness on the Edge of Town, which produced songs like “Prove It All Night,” and The River, which gave us “Out in the Street” and “Hungry Heart.” Springsteen’s most commercially successful record is Born in the U.S.A., which sold more copies than any other of his albums. It is also one of the best selling albums ever, generating the mega-hits “Dancing in the Dark,” “Glory Days,” “I’m on Fire,” and the title track. All of those songs reached the top ten. The E Street Band includes  Garry Tallent, Roy Bittan, Max Weinberg, Steven Van Zandt, Nils Lofgren, and Patti Scialfa (also married to Springsteen). Clarence Clemons’ nephew Jake Clemons plays saxophone.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have had continuing success over the years despite obstacles. However, like great champions, they’ve moved forward and found a new path. When the sum of great musical parts come together in a positive way—as with Springsteen and The E Street Band—magic happens. 2022’s Only the Strong Survive is Springsteen’s latest studio album and it covers soul and R&B songs. Springsteen is a critic of President Trump and has titled his current tour the Land of Hope & Dreams tour in protest. Early in this tour the setlist has been a mix of Springsteen’s top songs and some protest songs, or songs titled in that regard. Special guest on certain songs on this tour is Tom Morello, one of the founders of Rage Against the Machine. Morello even has a guitar he plays that has Arm the Homeless on it.  7:30 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H.)

Maybe they’re no longer top-of-mind, but they are still one of the most recognizable acts in rock and roll history. ZZ Top is the only band in which a drummer named “Beard” (Frank Beard) is the only member who doesn’t have a big, long, flowing beard. Formed in 1969 in Houston, ZZ Top has been hailed as the epitome of Texas weirdness, as Official Heroes for the State of Texas (a title bestowed by the state’s legislature), and as guardians of the tradition of hard-edged, take-no-prisoners-and-offer-no-apologies Southern blues rock. They’re also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but hey, how could they not be? Some years ago, Texas Monthly magazine published a fascinating profile and history of the band. Among other things the article asked: How long can they go on? That was in 1996, and by now, ZZ Top has gone on for 30 more freaking years. Billy Gibbons remains the trio’s frontman while Elwood Francis now rocks in place of original bass guitarist Dusty Hill, who passed away in 2021.  ZZ Top’s concert at The Palace Theatre is officially sold out but you know what to do. 7:30 p.m. 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. (M.V.)

Saturday, May 23

Is there such a thing as geek rap? If so, Don Toliver just might be one of its avatars. This second-generation rap artist—who credits his father, Bongo, as a major musical influence—is eerily and distinctively technically proficient, while also projecting a unique aura that’s hard to place, but certainly not straight outta Compton. Toliver came out of Houston’s Alief neighborhood, also known as SWAT (South West Alief Texas). His genre has been called psychedelic rap, but that’s too trite a label. His 2020 hit single “No Idea” is a strangely reflective tainted-love ballad, bordering on the existential with lyrics like “First let me get that introduction /  We on the road to self destruction.” At age 31, Toliver is still evolving artistically. He’s currently touring in support of his fifth studio album, this year’s Octane. Don Toliver visits Pittsburgh for a concert at PPG Paints Arena with guest artists SahBabii, SoFaygo, and Chase B. 7:30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (M.V.) 

Wednesday, May 27 through Friday, May 29

Lyle Lovett crafts colorful songs, which tell compelling tales by fusing together many different musical genres, including country, swing, and jazz. He also has won four Grammy Awards: three in country categories and one in pop. Lovett attended Texas A&M University, where he met and befriended Robert Earl Keen, another accomplished Texas musician. Lovett released his self-titled debut album in 1986. His latest is 2022’s 12th of June. That is also Lovett’s 12th studio album. In addition to his prolific musical career, Lovett is an award-winning horseman. He competes in reining competitions with his noted quarter horse, Smart And Shiney. Lovett will be performing at City Winery on his Lyle Lovett Up Close: Songs & Stories tour. 7:30 p.m. all three nights. 1627 Smallman St., Strip District. (R.H.)

Saturday, May 30

The Silencers were one of Pittsburgh’s top bands in the early 1980’s and featured a talented lineup of rock and rollers that included Frank Czuri (vocals), the late Warren King (guitar), and the late Byrd Foster (drums). The group’s original material combined rock, new wave, R&B, soul, and reggae. Their main claim to fame was a video of the Silencers’ medley “Peter Gunn Theme/Remote Control/Illegal” which aired on MTV on the very day the network premiered in 1981. The video won several awards. The group released two major-label albums and three singles. Billboard magazine said of the Silencers’ debut LP Rock’n’Roll Enforcers: “The Silencers are armed with a hard hitting debut. Fronted by the aggressive vocals of Frank Czuri…the Silencers show an amazing command of rock history…This is slashing rock which goes for the jugular.” The Silencers have reloaded and you can celebrate The Silencers live at City Winery. 7:30 p.m. 1627 Smallman St., Strip District. (R.H.)

Other Shows of Interest

Saturday, May 2
Sun King Warriors (Sanctuary at Mr. Smalls)

Sunday, May 3
The Jaggerz, Chuck Blasko’s Vogues, The Skyliners (Palace Theatre)

Tuesday, May 5
Melissa Ethridge (Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall)

Wednesday, May 6
Purity Ring (Roxian Theatre)

Thursday, May 7
Al Di Meola (The Oaks Theater)

Friday, May 8
Gino Vannelli (Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall)
Crack the Sky (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Saturday, May 9
Joe Grushecky Acoustic (Steamworks Creative)
Buckethead (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)
T.J. Isenberg (Pittsburgh Winery)

Monday, May 11
Kottonmouth Kings (Crafthouse Stage & Grill)

Wednesday, May 13
Cut Worms with special guest Tchotchke (Warhol Sound series)

Friday, May 15
Black Veil Brides (Stage AE)

Monday, May 18
Buckcherry (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Tuesday, May 19
Samantha Fish (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)
Alton Merrell (Lounge at The Greer Cabaret)

Thursday, May 21
Between the Buried and Me (Roxian Theatre)
Nazareth (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Friday, May 22
Clint Black (City Winery)
Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentlemen (Stage AE)
Donna the Buffalo (Mr. Smalls Theatre)
Paper Wings (Club Cafe)
Southern Culture on the Skids (Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall)

Saturday, May 23
Tamara Tunie (MCG Jazz)

Thursday, May 28
Davisson Brothers Band (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)
Jo Dee Messina (Timber Rock Amphitheater)

Friday, May 29
Scott, Rob & Greg of The Clarks (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

Sunday, May 31
Ambrosia (The Lamp Theatre)

Big Shows on the Horizon

June 5 and June 6
Morgan Wallen (Acrisure Stadium)

June 5 through June 14
Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival

June 7
Teddy Swims (Petersen Events Center)

June 8
Shakey Graves (Roxian Theatre)

June 11
5 Seconds of Summer (PPG Paints Arena)

June 14
Mumford & Sons (The Pavilion at Star Lake)

June 16
Megan Moroney (PPG Paints Arena)

June 17
Chris Stapleton (The Pavilion at Star Lake)

June 24
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (Stage AE)

June 30
Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire (PPG Paints Arena)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

Share on Social Media