Doobie Brothers and Steve Winwood in Concert at Star Lake: PPG Paints Arena Hosts Childish Gambino (Tues., 8/20/24)

1) The Doobie Brothers are a big time rock band that rose out of San Jose, California and charted many hits in the 1970s and early 1980s. The initial outfit was fronted by lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Johnston. He led the band  from 1970 until he left in 1975. During that period the Doobies had top hits like “China Grove,” “Black Water,” and “Listen to the Music.” In 1976 Michael McDonald signed on as lead vocalist and the band’s sound took a new course. That version of the band scored hits with “Takin it to the Streets,” “What a Fool Believes,” and “Minute By Minute.” Kenny Loggins even has a co-writing credit on “What a Fool Believes.” Johnston then returned to the band in 1987 and has remained with them ever since. Michael McDonald is now back in the fold too. The Doobies had a new hit in 1989 with “The Doctor.” Liberté is the group’s latest album and was released in 2021. Special guest is Steve Winwood, who’s had his own big success with songs like “Higher Love,” “Back in the High Life Again,” and  “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys” (with Traffic). 7 p.m. The Pavilion at Star Lake, 665 Rt. 18 Burgettstown. (R.H.)

2) If you haven’t seen Childish Gambino, do it now, because after his current tour, Childish Gambino will cease to exist. That is, the stage name will be retired. Or so says the artist born Donald Glover, who has threatened to de-Childish himself previously, but this time he might mean it. The 40-year-old Glover, as Glover, has had quite the multifaceted career so far. Graduating from NYU’s Tisch School with a degree in dramatic writing, he’s written for NBC-TV’s “30 Rock,” acted in the network’s “Community” and in other TV series and films, written and performed sketch comedy, plus much more. It all seems to come together in his music. At a time when quick-cutting and lavish effects are often the norm in music videos, a Childish Gambino video like “Little Foot Big Foot” comes across as both a throwback and creatively new—besides which, the man can dance. And his current tour is even specialer. It’s in support of his just-released album Bando Stone & the New World, which he is also making into a feature film about a singer’s strange adventures in a post-apocalyptic world. Catch the apocalypse as it unfolds when Childish Gambino visits Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena. Guest artist is Willow. 8 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (M.V.)

Donald Glover performing under his stage name, Childish Gambino, at South by Southwest in 2014. (Photo: Daniel Benavides and Wikipedia)

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