Sturgill Simpson at The Pete; PNC Broadway Has ‘Stomp’ Onstage at Benedum (Fri., 10/18/24)

1) 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.)

STOMP (percussive, physical theater) created by Steve McNicholas and Luke Cresswell. North American touring production. October 18 and 19.

2) Thirty-plus years of garbage cans, hub caps, brooms, even cigarette lighters, and more, all beaten with impeccable precision, haven’t slowed down any enthusiasm for this show which defies all narrative description. Since first developed on the streets of Brighton, England and premiering in Edinburgh, STOMP can boast appearances on TV’s “Reading Rainbow,” “ABC Sports,” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Audiences have enjoyed 11,000 live performances in New York City alone. Eight persuasive performers pound out percussive syncopation that critics worldwide have called electrifying, surreal, and explosive. Only three STOMP performances are scheduled here in October, so it might be best to beat your way to the box office now. Presented as part of the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series at Benedum Center. 7:30 p.m. 237 7th St., Cultural District.

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