Top September concerts in Pittsburgh: Hardy, Twenty One Pilots, Marilyn Manson
One of the nation’s top pop-punk festivals returns to the Pittsburgh region, as do a hard-rocking country star and alt pop rockers. Here’s a look at the top shows coming to the area in September:
Top concerts
Sept. 5: Hardy, Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr., Sikarus at the Pavilion at Star Lake
Country rocker Hardy brings his Jim Bob tour to the region, on a much-bigger stage than his last sold-out show at Pittsburgh’s Stage AE in 2023.
Hardy, who is set to release his next album “Country! Country!” on Sept. 26, will be joined by fellow country rocker Koe Wetzel and Stephen Wilson Jr., who described his music as “Death Cab for Country.” Hardy, who welcomed a daughter with his wife earlier this year, said backstage might be a little different than past tours.
“It’s different now, especially with the baby being here. I don’t know what’s in store, but I know that I’m not going to be partying like I used to,” he told People with a laugh. “I mean, we’ve always had a very safe, fun vibe out here.”
Sept. 13-14: Four Chord Music Festival with Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, AFI, Jawbreaker and many more at EQT Park
One of the nation’s premier pop-punk music festivals features a loaded lineup, including Blink-182, which sold out PPG Paints Arena in 2023 on their return tour, as well as emo legends Jawbreaker.
“I don’t know if people realize this because they live in Pittsburgh, but this is one of the biggest pop-punk festivals in the country,” said Pittsburgh guitarist Steve Soboslai, whose band Punchline is on the bill for the second day. “Hands down, we’re just lucky enough to live so close to it.”
As for Blink-182, their Missionary Impossible tour stretches through October, while bassist Mark Hoppus released an autobiography earlier this year.
“We work really hard and meticulously and try to write the best songs that we can,” Hoppus told NME in May. “We try to put on the best show that we can, where we get up there and we’re just ourselves. When Tom (DeLonge) and I get microphones in front of us, we just turn into idiots and try to outdo one another with who can say the most ridiculous thing. At the heart of it, we really work hard to create what I consider art.”
Read more: Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus on death, defiance and jokes: ‘I’m very thankful to be alive’
Sept. 28: Twenty One Pilots, Dayglow at the Pavilion at Star Lake
Although Twenty One Pilots is touring in support of 2024’s “Clancy” album, on Sept. 12 the duo will release the concept album, “Breach,” which completes the five-album narrative that started with 2015’s “Blurryface.”
The Clancy tour, appropriately, hits a good portion of the new album.
“I was telling my manager last night, it’s really cool that our show is so Clancy-heavy as far as the setlist,” Tyler Joseph told Kerrang in April. “I think a lot of bands get into a position where it’s exciting for them to release new stuff, but when you go to their show, you kind of hope that they stick to what made them great in the first place. I’m really glad that we have a fanbase that is still so open to new music. That’s not easy to do, over 10 years into a career.”
Sold-out shows
Sept. 11: Rilo Kiley, Dean Johnson at Roxian Theatre
Indie rock band Rilo Kiley, which broke up in 2013, got back together earlier this year to much acclaim with their reunion tour mostly sold out across the Northeast.
Sept. 20: Marilyn Manson, Seven Hours After Violet at Roxian Theatre
Noted shock rocker Marilyn Manson brings his One Assassination Under God tour to Pittsburgh, with his band featuring Pittsburgh native Reba Meyers on guitar.
Other notable shows
Sept. 5: Jessica Simpson, DJ ms.TIZA, Buffalo Rose at Stage AE
Sept. 6: Jerry Cantrell, Sparta at Roxian Theatre (Jerry Cantrell talks latest solo album, Pittsburgh memories, not messing up the Ozzy Osbourne show)
Sept. 6: Gabby Barrett at Timber Rock Amphitheater
Sept. 7: Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country at Stage AE (Q&A: Guitarist Daniel Donato says Pittsburgh feels like home for his Cosmic Country sound)
Sept. 8: PUP, Jeff Rosenstock, Ekko Astral (Q&A: PUP guitarist Steve Sladkowski on new album, Pittsburgh plans and more)
Sept. 12: Eric Church, Elle King at PPG Paints Arena
Sept. 12: Pixies, Spoon, Fazerdaze at Stage AE
Sept. 13: Molly Tuttle, Town Mountain, Cecilia Castleman at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
Sept. 13: Bruce Dickinson, Icarus Witch at Stage AE
Sept. 16: David Byrne at Benedum Center
Sept. 16: Conan Gray, hemlocke springs at Petersen Events Center
Sept. 17: James McMurty, BettySoo at Thunderbird Music Hall
Sept. 18: Gwar, Helmet, The Dwarves, Blood Vulture at Roxian Theatre
Sept. 18: Falling in Reverse, Slaughter to Prevail, Hollywood Undead, Point North at the Pavilion at Star Lake
Sept. 20: The Baseball Project, The Minus 5 at Mr. Smalls Theatre
Sept. 23: Garbage, Starcrawler at Stage AE
Sept. 24: Lucy Dacus, Slow Pulp at Benedum Center
Sept. 24: Max McNown at Roxian Theatre
Sept. 25: Morrissey at Benedum Center
Sept. 30: Franz Ferdinand, Master Peace at Roxian Theatre
Mike Palm is a TribLive digital producer who also writes music reviews and features. A Westmoreland County native, he joined the Trib in 2001, where he spent years on the sports copy desk, including serving as night sports editor. He has been with the multimedia staff since 2013. He can be reached at mpalm@triblive.com.
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