Q&A: Janelle Monae talks about freedom, how new album defines her and getting ready to tour again
LOS ANGELES — If you believe Janelle Monae’s hyper-sexual expression is a front, think again. These days, Monae is unapologetically living her truth in a bold manner while trying to avoid negativity. The star, once known for sporting custom-made suits, has shed that attire (at least for now) to nearly...
Whitney Houston’s estate announces 2nd annual Legacy of Love Gala with BeBe Winans, Kim Burrell
LOS ANGELES — This year Whitney Houston would have turned 60, and a special celebration to raise money for a good cause is being planned for her birthday. Houston’s estate, Sony and Primary Wave Music will host the 2nd annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love on Aug. 9, which will...
Morgan Wallen among top concerts to see around Pittsburgh in August
Pittsburgh is seeing the last of its stadium shows this summer, with four nights of concerts at PNC Park. Here’s a look at the most notable shows coming to the area in August: August’s top shows Aug. 5: Pink, Brandi Carlile, Grouplove at PNC Park Grammy-winning singer Pink brings her...
Westmoreland County community festivals feature local musicians
The Westmoreland County region’s musical and culinary talent will be on display at several upcoming community festivals — all free and open to the public. All of the festivals will include food and vendor areas along with special events and entertainment for children. • Delmont Daze, noon to 7 p.m....
10 people died at the Astroworld music festival two years ago. What happens now?
Nearly two years after 10 people were crushed to death during the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival, no charges have been filed — even though some people, including event workers, expressed safety concerns. Pinpointing “who exactly caused those deaths is not an easy question to answer,” said Sandra Guerra Thompson, a...
Review: Pantera celebration tour pays fitting tribute to band’s legacy, 2 late members
Pantera launched its summer headlining tour Friday night at the Pavilion at Star Lake, offering an unrelenting and powerful tribute to the band’s legacy. To be sure, this was no reunion. How could it be without the band’s co-founders, brothers Dimebag Darrell (guitar) and Vinnie Paul Abbott (drums)? Dimebag was...
105.9 The X midday host Abby Krizner has connected her life to music in multiple ways
WXDX program director and midday host Abby Krizner doesn’t seem to remember a time in her life when music wasn’t an integral part of it, whether she was playing instruments or playing records. That’s probably not too surprising to those familiar with Krizner’s on-air work hosting and curating alternative rock...
Sinéad O’Connor, gifted and provocative Irish singer, dies at 56
LONDON — Sinéad O’Connor, the gifted Irish singer-songwriter who became a superstar in her mid-20s and was known as much for her private struggles and provocative actions as for her fierce and expressive music, has died at 56. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our...
‘Moves like Jagger’: As Mick marks 80 years, WYEP will air Pittsburgh band covers of Rolling Stones songs
Mick Jagger is turning 80 on Wednesday, and Pittsburgh radio station WYEP is celebrating with a collection of new, local band covers of classic Rolling Stones tunes. “Pittsburgh’s Got Moves Like Jagger” will air throughout the day Wednesday, and a full hour special of Pittsburgh artists’ covers will air at...
Foreigner bassist Jeff Pilson on the band’s farewell tour, its future and its legacy
Foreigner bassist Jeff Pilson says it’s not unusual for his band name to create some bewilderment. “It’s funny, people oftentimes don’t recognize the name, but they recognize the songs,” Pilson said. “I can tell somebody, oh yeah, I play in a band called Foreigner. ‘Oh, OK, very good. Would I...
Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in a Small Town’ rockets to No. 2 on charts after music video controversy
LOS ANGELES — Jason Aldean ‘s “Try That in a Small Town” is experiencing exponential growth following controversy over its music video. “Try That in a Small Town,” which was released in May, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week just behind BTS’s Jung Kook solo...
Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96
NEW YORK — Tony Bennett, the eminent and timeless stylist whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” graced a decadeslong career that brought him admirers from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, died Friday. He was 96,...
CMT pulls Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in a Small Town’ video; singer denies lynching, race connection
Country musician Jason Aldean’s video for his song “Try That in a Small Town” has been removed from rotation on CMT, a channel dedicated to showing country music videos, per Billboard. The song is taking heat after some listeners say the track can be perceived as pro-lynching. But Aldean denies...
Eagles add Pittsburgh show to Long Goodbye tour
Legendary band the Eagles have announced the addition of a Pittsburgh stop on The Long Goodbye — The Eagles’ Final Tour. The group will play PPG Paints Arena on Sunday, Oct. 15, along with fellow Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame group Steely Dan, which is commemorating its 50-plus year...
Photos: Pittsburgh’s Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg perform sold-out show at Star Lake
Rappers Snoop Dogg and Pittsburgh’s own Wiz Khalifa brought the High School Reunion tour Tuesday night to the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown. The show was sold out. Snoop, a noted Pittsburgh Steelers fan, gained prominence on the rap scene in 1992 from appearances with Dr. Dre. He’s since...
It’s official: Taylor Swift has more No. 1 albums than any woman in history
LOS ANGELES — Congratulations are in order for Taylor Swift and her loyal fans, known as Swifties. The pop star officially has more No. 1 albums than any woman in history. “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)”, released earlier this month, is the third in her endeavor to re-record her first six...
Jason Aldean suffers heat stroke, stops Connecticut concert mid-songVideo
Jason Aldean stopped his show Saturday night in Hartford, Conn., mid-song after reportedly suffering heat stroke. The country singer was performing at the Xfinity Theatre and confused fans when he silently ran off the stage in the middle of singing his 2009 hit “Crazy Town,” Deadline reported. A video of...
Upcoming Live Nation package includes 4 tickets for $80
Can’t choose between seeing your favorite artists this year? Live Nation might have the solution for you. The event promoter is holding its “Summer’s Live,” a promotion that gives fans the opportunity to purchase four concert tickets for $80 before taxes. The promotion is for selected events with limited inventory....
Photos: Post Malone leaves Star Lake crowd saying ‘Wow’
Rapper Post Malone performed Wednesday night at the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown. The nearly sold out pavilion maintained its high energy from the beginning, with the opener Beach Fossils. The “If Y’all Weren’t Here, I’d Be Crying” tour opened with a string ensemble and dramatic stage lights. In...
Music streams top 1 trillion at the fastest pace yet, reflecting more global industry, report finds
LOS ANGELES — Is non-English language music the future of the music business? Perhaps. The global music industry surpassed 1 trillion streams at the fastest pace, ever, in a calendar year, Luminate’s 2023 Midyear Report has found. The number was reached in three months, a full month faster than 2022....
Review: Weezer drives through greatest hits in sold-out Pittsburgh concert
At one point Tuesday night, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo mentioned that the band had recorded hundreds of songs in their 30+ years together. Weezer’s 90-minute set at a sold-out Stage AE leaned heavily on their first two albums as they rolled through most of their crowd-pleasing greatest hits from those...
40 years on, Marshall Crenshaw rates Pittsburgh as a career highlightVideo
Singer/songwriter Marshall Crenshaw is calling his current tour “40 Years in Showbiz!” The exclamation point indicates he’s still excited to be out there doing what he started doing in the clubs of New York City in the early 1980s. “I just like the sound of saying it’s a 40th anniversary...
Madonna says she’s ‘on the road to recovery’ but postponing Celebration tour
Madonna has emerged to update fans on her health and the state of her impending Celebration tour following her hospitalization late last month. The Material Girl, who spent several days in the ICU after developing “a serious bacterial infection,” showed gratitude Monday on Instagram, thanking fans for their positive energy,...
Review: Ed Sheeran’s layered performance equals pop perfection in PittsburghVideo
Ed Sheeran was more than 3,000 miles from home for Saturday night’s concert at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, but even that distance wasn’t enough to escape a soccer rivalry. In a sea of thousands, the Ipswich supporter still managed to spot a jersey of rival Norwich. “He’s worn the shirt...
Seton Hill, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield students perform at New York City’s Carnegie Hall
The last time Mark Boyle was onstage at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall, an alarm on his cell phone accidentally went off mid-performance. When Boyle was invited back to conduct a performance as part of MidAmerica Productions’ 40th season staging shows at Carnegie Hall, he wasn’t going to let...
