There was no shortage of huge shows in the Pittsburgh region in 2025, from stadium shows to Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and beyond.
TribLive covered more than 70 shows in 2025, so here’s a look back at our writers’ top shows of the year, notable moments and more:
Alexis Papalia’s top 5
Jon Batiste (Oct. 28, Heinz Hall): The virtuoso performer and former “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” band leader blended pop, jazz, blues and even classical piano for an awe-inspiring evening that even spilled out onto Penn Avenue at its close. With originals, covers, plenty of improvisation and an appearance by singer Andra Day, this was a truly unforgettable night of music.
Alabama Shakes (Sept. 9, Stage AE): Staging a storming comeback after several years off, this bluesy Southern rock group — fronted by the incomparable Brittany Howard — sounded as good as ever. Howard’s voice is showstopping all on its own, but the rest of the band certainly pulled their weight at this packed and high-energy show. Hopefully, we’ll see more of the Shakes in the future.
Disturbed (April 5, PPG Paints Arena): This nu metal band celebrated the 25th anniversary of their album “The Sickness” in a big way with pyrotechnics, orchestral instruments and a double set. Not only did they play “The Sickness” in its entirety, but they returned to serve up other greatest hits throughout the years, including their hit cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence”, complete with a flaming piano.
Lorde (Oct. 3, Petersen Events Center): This pop star may have come onto the scene with smash hit “Royals” more than a decade ago, but this year saw her first-ever performance in Pittsburgh, and she didn’t disappoint. After her mix of sincerity, showmanship and a setlist exciting enough to get the crowd jumping, local fans will be begging for her not to forget us on future tours.
Shaggy with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Feb. 26, Heinz Hall): This was an unlikely pairing, but the reggae hitmaker of the 1990s and 2000s was both boombastic and fantastic with the PSO. Not only did our world-class symphony orchestra do a stellar job playing Shaggy’s hits (it was delightful and bizarre to hear “It Wasn’t Me” in such an arrangement), but Shaggy taught a whole lesson on the history of Jamaican music through song and stories.
Mike Palm’s top 5
Pearl Jam (May 16 and 18, PPG Paints Arena): With a wide-ranging mix of huge hits, deep cuts and timely covers, Pearl Jam grooved through a pair of epic, sold-out shows in Pittsburgh. The two concerts also proved to be the last in the band for drummer Matt Cameron, who announced his departure in July.
Paul McCartney (Nov. 11, PPG Paints Arena): The Beatles legend, now 83, returned to Pittsburgh for the first time in 11 years, delivering a marathon set that touched on his Beatles career, as well as his solo career and his time in Wings.
AC/DC (May 8, Acrisure Stadium): The Australian hard rock legends brought the fireworks — musically and literally — in a thunderous stadium show that concluded with the booming cannons on “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You).”
Linkin Park (Aug. 19, PPG Paints Arena): The nu metal/rap rockers returned from a seven-year hiatus after the death of singer Chester Bennington, with the reformed group entering a new era with the addition of singer Emily Armstrong. She unleashed harsh screams and traded lines with Mike Shinoda for a good start to the next chapter of the band.
Bob Dylan (April 21, Benedum Center): Heralded as America’s greatest songwriter, the octogenarian switched between guitar and piano, eschewing many of his better-known songs in favor of tracks from his 2020 album “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” with respectful fans soaking up the chance to witness a living legend.
Bonus thoughts
The ’90s are alive and well: Gen Xers and Millennials got a year packed with nostalgia. Great shows from acts including Boyz II Men, Suzanne Vega, Lisa Loeb, Live, Gin Blossoms, Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors and many others proved that our favorite musicians from a great decade past can still rock. (AP)
In memoriam: Former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley played a solo show on July 19 at Jergel’s, as the Spaceman revisited classic Kiss songs like “Cold Gin” and “Shock Me” and a few solo tracks. Less than three months later, Frehley died on Oct. 16 after a fall at his New Jersey home. (MP)
Don’t underestimate local acts: This year proved that Pittsburgh continues to have a robust, inspiring and tight-knit music scene. At collaborative events including the reopening of iconic South Side venue Club Cafe and the annual Smalls Waltz, acts including The Commonheart, Joe Grushecky and Bill Deasy wowed crowds. (AP)
Family affair: Billy Corgan and the Machines of God, fronted by the Smashing Pumpkins mastermind, marked the 25th anniversary of 2000’s “Machina/The Machines of God” and “Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music,” as well as the 25th anniversaries of “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” this year. The tour of smaller venues allowed for more intimate moments, like when his daughter danced and tossed guitar picks into the audience during “1979.” (MP)
Feeling chills on a hot summer night at Star Lake: Men at Work, Christopher Cross and Toto played a great show at the Pavilion at Star Lake in July. But the highlight was Toto bringing on all of the musicians on the bill for the grand finale: a performance of their hit “Africa” that proved one of the most memorable concert moments of the year. (AP)
Abbreviated tour: The classic lineup of Biohazard launched their Divided We Fall tour at Preserving in New Kensington, marking their first new album in 13 years. Many of their October dates wound up cancelled, with those fans missing out on a ripping set of Biohazard standards and newer tracks that fit right in. Showing little signs of aging, guitarist Billy Graziadei stepped into/onto the crowd, which held him aloft during “Wrong Side of the Tracks.” (MP)
Still killing it at 90: Herb Alpert was a show that caught me by surprise. The nonagenarian trumpeter blew the doors off the Byham Theater this spring with a catalogue of music spanning decades — and stories to match. (AP)
Pure rock: Local H showed that a duo can make just as much noise as a larger band, delivering a zesty show that proved they’re so much more than just “Bound for the Floor.” (MP)
Blackout: A number of acts rejected all media coverage credentials for Pittsburgh shows, including Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, David Byrne, Maroon 5 and Tyler, the Creator.
________
Mike Palm is a TribLive digital producer. He can be reached at mpalm@triblive.com. Alexis Papalia is a TribLive staff writer. She can be reached at apapalia@triblive.com.
