As usual, the 2026 concert season for Pittsburgh will start off slowly in January. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t shows worth checking out.
Here’s a look at the top concerts coming to the area in January:
Top concerts
Jan. 9: The Dead Milkmen, Lylyth at Jergel’s
The Dead Milkmen, a satirical punk band from Philadelphia, marked the 40th anniversary of their debut album, “Big Lizard in My Backyard,” in 2025.
Known for tracks like “Punk Rock Girl” and “Bitchin’ Camaro,” the band is still releasing new music, including recent singles like “Where Billionaires Go to Die” and “When Daddy Drinks.”
“The main songwriting objective was to come up with catchy, funny songs that engaged and entertained audiences,” guitarist Joe Genaro said of the debut in an interview with Guitar World. “I was a relatively new guitar player, so from that perspective, it was a matter of keeping things rudimentary.”
Read more: Joe Genaro on making the Dead Milkmen’s classic punk album
Jan. 30: Big Time Rush, Katelyn Tarver, Stephen Kramer Glickman at Petersen Events Center
Big Time Rush, a boy band that also played a fictional version of itself on Nickelodeon starting in 2009, reunited virtually in 2020 and has been back to work ever since.
Their current In Real Life Worldwide tour will feature every song from every episode of their show, which ran for four seasons.
”Growing up and knowing how awesome it was for the four of us, but also for everyone else who really enjoyed the show and the music, I was a little hesitant because I really don’t like to be a part of any projects, whether it’s music or whether it’s acting, unless I can give my full self into whatever that is,” Logan Henderson told the Houston Chronicle. “But once we started talking and had that feedback, I really just said, OK, I think we could do something special here. I have to remind myself, it’s never going to be like it was, and it shouldn’t be like it was. The four of us have great camaraderie, we keep ourselves laughing and despite all of our differences, there are things that hold us together, which is our work ethic, our love for music and our love for the fans. And that’s never changed.”
Read more: Logan Henderson of Big Time Rush on Texas roots, nostalgia and the band’s comeback
Sold-out shows
Jan. 17: Haywire, E-Town Concrete, Mindforce, Missing Link, Whispers, Fatal Reality, Unreal City, Discontent, Pool Scum at Preserving
The Boston-based band Haywire, who will be back in February opening for Dropkick Murphys at Stage AE, headlines a huge lineup of hardcore bands.
Jan. 27: Antarctigo Vespucci, Golden Apples at Bottlerocket Social Hall
The power pop band featuring indie rockers Jeff Rosenstock and Chris Farren is going on tour for the first time in more than six years.
Jan. 31: Bob James Quartet at MCG Jazz Music Hall (two shows)
Jazz keyboardist Bob James, known for writing the theme song for “Taxi” and many more, released a new album, “Just Us,” with Dave Koz in 2025.
Other notable concerts
Jan. 9: Dexter and the Moonrocks, Cigarettes @ Sunset, High June at Stage AE
Jan. 12: Real Estate, Fantasy of a Broken Heart at Mr. Smalls Theatre
Jan. 14: Brian Aubert, Che Arthur, CROONeR at Crafthouse
Jan. 15: Tantric at Crafthouse
Jan. 16: Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble at Thunderbird Music Hall
Jan. 21: Lettuce at Mr. Smalls Theatre
Jan. 21: Glenn Jones at City Winery Pittsburgh
Jan. 23-24: The Amish Outlaws at Jergel’s
Jan. 24: Lez Zeppelin at Oaks Theater
Jan. 29: Bayway, Shattered Realm, Death Before Dishonor, Brick shot, Through My Vengeance at Preserving Underground
Jan. 29: Colt Ford, Hayden Coffman at Jergel’s
Jan. 31: DJ Pauly D at Rivers Casino
Jan. 31: Donna the Buffalo, Tiger Maple String Band at Mr. Smalls Theatre
Jan. 31: Lee Brice at the Palace Theatre
Jan. 31: Why?, Brotherkenzie at Spirit Hall
