Isley Brothers, The Whispers, and Howard Hewitt at UPMC Events Center; Lamp Hosts Molly Hatchet; Lucius in Concert at Mr. Smalls (Fri., 4/7/23)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6PXpigwS3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFSHKL2lBiM

1) Wow, talk about an iconic soul/funk concert—UPMC Events center is hosting several top bands of the genre for The R&B Legends Showdown. The Isley Brothers, The Whispers, and Howard Hewitt will all be performing on the RMU campus. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band, The Isley Brothers have recently celebrated their 60th anniversary and have had hits in six straight decades from the ’50s to the ’00s. Those hits include “Shout,” “It’s Your Thing,” “Summer Breeze,” and their own version of The Beatles’ “Twist and Shout.” Their latest album release is 2022’s Make Me Say It Again, Girl. The Whispers had two no. 1 hits with “And the Beat Goes On” and “Rock Steady.” “It’s a Love Thing” was another chart riser for the group. Howard Hewitt, along with Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniel, were core elements of the band Shalamar. The group created legendary hit songs like: “A Night to Remember,” “Make That Move,” “The Second Time Around,” and “This is for the Lover in You.” Rounding out this super solid bill is award-winning trumpeter, Tom Browne. 8 p.m. 6001 University Blvd., Moon Township.

2) Southern fried rock from Molly Hatchet can be enjoyed at Irwin’s Lamp Theater. “Flirtin’ With Disaster,” “Dreams I’ll Never See” and “Gator Country” are the songs that propelled Molly Hatchet to the upper echelon of 1970s southern rock. The band hails from Jacksonville, Florida, the same town that produced the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd. Although no original members remain due to untimely passings and band departures, the group continues to play the music they are known for. Their latest album is the 2019 live LP Battleground. Special guest is Six Gun Sally. 222 Main St.

3) The band Lucius is no stranger to Pittsburgh. They have played many concerts here over the years, even playing a main stage show at the 2019 Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. This indy rock band is from Brooklyn and has somewhat more of a pop sound. Lucius’ fourth, and latest, studio album, Second Nature, was released in 2022. The mainstays of the group are twin lead vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig. You can catch them at Mr. Smalls on their Love So Deep Tour with special guest Danielle Ponder. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale.

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