Northside Music Festival returns for 2nd year
Last July, the first Northside Music Festival, featuring 75 bands, brought a wide variety of music to the Deutschtown neighborhood. Festival organizer Ben Soltesz was pleased with the results of that inaugural offering. “It worked out really well,” he said. He cited two aspects as particularly successful. The first was...
Taking Back Sunday’s Adam Lazzara on Pittsburgh return, new album ‘152’ and moreVideo
When Taking Back Sunday played here last August, a tornado just a few miles from the Four Chord Music Festival wreaked havoc with their plans. “The festival got shut down, delayed, everybody seek shelter, that kind of thing,” singer Adam Lazzara said in a recent Zoom call. “So rather than...
Redd Kross bassist Steven McDonald on double album, documentary, memoir ahead of Pittsburgh showVideo
As far as Steven McDonald could remember, Redd Kross has never played a headline show in Pittsburgh. The bassist for the longtime power pop/punk band recalled driving through the city sometime in the 1980s, but their only shows here were in support of other bands (1997 with The Presidents of...
Latrobe rapper returns from tour, will headline August Hard Rock show
Latrobe rapper Sean Lewandowski, who goes by the moniker Sean Ski, spent his spring playing Canadian venues with fellow MC Chris Webby on his “Last Wednesday” tour. And after a couple more shows, he’ll get a chance to headline his first Pittsburgh performance in August. “After I do two shows...
Joe Bonsall, celebrated tenor in the country and gospel group Oak Ridge Boys, dies at 76
Joe Bonsall, Grammy award winner and celebrated tenor of the country and gospel group the Oak Ridge Boys, died Tuesday. He was 76. Bonsall died from complications of the neuromuscular disorder Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, according to a statement from representatives of his family. “Joe loved to sing. He loved to...
Pittsburgh vocalist Aryana Kapree heading to Grammy Camp
Woodland Hills High School rising senior Aryana Kapree is just a few days away from heading to Grammy Camp 2024 at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles — the highly selective music program begins July 13. Cheerleading is one of her many passions, along with football and live music; she...
Norah Jones concert review: Soul singer hits all the right notes in Heinz Hall show
After exploding onto the music scene in 2002 with her debut solo album, “Come Away With Me,” Norah Jones has been a decades-long fixture in pop jazz. She has released more than a dozen albums — both as a solo artist and with collaborators — with her most recent release,...
Rapper Jeezy highlights hip-hop’s political influence at Pittsburgh event
Rapper Jeezy — folks may remember him as Young Jeezy, which he was known as when he released his first major label album in 2005 — was in Pittsburgh on June 27, the same day as the first presidential debate. The Grammy-nominated, Atlanta-proud rapper and one of the architects of...
Train’s Pat Monahan on the band’s career, new single, live album and San FranciscoVideo
Pat Monahan, lead singer for Grammy-winning pop rock band Train, spent his formative years in northwestern Pennsylvania, moving from Erie to California when he was 19. “Do I miss the lake effect snow?” Monahan said with a laugh in a recent call. “I can’t say that I do.” Although he’s...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 5-7
Still want to keep the party going after all of the Independence Day fireworks? Here are some ways to make the best of your post-holiday weekend around town. Carnegie Independence Day Celebration For those who could still use some more fireworks and red, white and blue spangled decorations, Carnegie Borough...
Red Hot Chili Peppers concert review: Veteran rockers bring their California love to sold-out Pittsburgh showVideo
The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ love of California cannot be underestimated — with some Internet estimates putting a reference to the Golden State in about 20% of their songs. That was on full display Tuesday night in a sold-out show at the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, where the...
Ann Wilson announces cancer diagnosis, postpones Heart tourVideo
LOS ANGELES — Ann Wilson, lead singer of rock band Heart, says she has cancer and the band is postponing the remaining shows on its Royal Flush Tour while she undergoes treatment. Wilson said in a statement Tuesday that she underwent a surgery to remove a cancerous growth and is...
Jeannette resident makes most of new musical directionsVideo
So, you find yourself thinking about what it would be like to make a new start. For someone who actually followed through, meet Jeannette resident Mick Francis. As lead vocalist and primary handler of details for the up-and-coming Pittsburgh pop-punk band Lotus Kid, he seemed to be headed in what...
Celebrating Black Music Month: Pittsburgh’s rising stars
June was Black Music Month, and Pittsburgh has no shortage of talent. Black Music Month honors the contributions, creativity and individuality of Black musicians who have shaped American music across all genres. Pittsburgh has birthed greats like Mary Lou Williams, Art Blakey, Lena Horne and Erroll Garner. Here are a...
BET Awards 2024: Usher is honored, Will Smith returns, and the election is top of mindVideo
Usher accepted the lifetime achievement award at the 2024 BET Awards — even if the superstar mused it might be a bit early. The Grammy winner stayed on his feet as a parade of artists performed his hits — Childish Gambino kicked it off with “U Don’t Have to Call,”...
Tyler Childers concert review: Kentucky native delivers his brand of country music to sold-out Star Lake show
Tyler Childers considers himself a country artist, plain and simple — not Americana or alt country. Just country. The Kentucky native’s style of music doesn’t really fit into the mold of modern/commercial country, leading to not a lot of radio airplay. (When Childers’ “In Your Love” cracked the Billboard Country...
BET Awards return Sunday with performances from Lauryn Hill, Childish Gambino, Will Smith and more
The BET Awards return Sunday night, with a performance-filled show that will kick off with a fiery set from Megan Thee Stallion, two days after the release of her third studio album. The show, which takes place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, will be hosted by Oscar-nominated actor...
Alleged nationwide concert scam affects Pittsburgh venue
A special events venue in Pittsburgh, 25 Carrick Ave, has been affected by an alleged nationwide concert scam. Brendan Elder, chief operating officer at Hearcorp, the audio/visual company that owns the space, had been in direct contact with a company called ARB Marketing looking to book a show. The space...
Eagles singer Don Henley sues for return of handwritten ‘Hotel California’ lyrics, notes
NEW YORK — Eagles singer Don Henley filed a lawsuit in New York on Friday seeking the return of his handwritten notes and song lyrics from the band’s hit “Hotel California” album. The civil complaint filed in Manhattan federal court comes after prosecutors in March abruptly dropped criminal charges midway...
Weather forecast not stopping inaugural Buffett tribute concert at Pittsburgh Brewing Co.
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. officials are hoping Saturday’s stormy weather outlook will be “Nothin’ But a Breeze” as plans march on for the inaugural Jimmy Buffett tribute concert at the East Deer site. “We are moving forward with having the concert and festivities,” brewery spokeswoman Rachel Semelbauer said Friday. “We are...
Def Leppard, Hozier, Chris Stapleton highlight July’s top Pittsburgh concerts
PNC Park will host its first stadium show of the year when British rockers Def Leppard invade the North Shore again, while two near-capacity crowds at Star Lake will make it another busy month of shows in the Pittsburgh area. Top shows July 12: Chris Stapleton, Marcus King, Nikki Lane...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: June 28-30
Another month is in the books! With July on its way, summer is flying fast already. Make sure to enjoy every moment with some of these events this weekend. PSO Americana Concert Get in the patriotic spirit ahead of the Fourth of July with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s annual event...
Tony Award-winning actress, singer Idina Menzel to perform in Pittsburgh
Tony Award-winning actress, singer and songwriter Idina Menzel recalled performing in Pittsburgh around the time of the Tree of Life tragedy in 2018 in Squirrel Hill. “I remember that time, and I remember such a sense of responsibility and connection to my audience. So, years later, when the project of...
Killer Mike will likely avoid charges after Grammys arrest
LOS ANGELES — Killer Mike is expected to avoid charges over a physical altercation that led to his arrest at the Grammys earlier this year after the rapper recently completed community service. The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office said in a statement Thursday that Mike “successfully completed the office’s hearing...
Back to Woodstock, with Wi-Fi: Women return after 55 years to glamp and relive the famous festival
BETHEL, N.Y. — Beverly “Cookie” Grant hitchhiked to the Woodstock music festival in 1969 without a ticket and slept on straw. Ellen Shelburne arrived in a VW microbus and pitched a pup tent. Fifty-five years later, the two longtime friends finally got back to the garden, but this time in...
