Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra starts off Independence Day right with their Americana Concert
On the eve of Independence Day, an enthusiastic audience gathered to celebrate America’s musical legacy. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra held its annual Americana Concert on Thursday at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum in Oakland. They shone a bright spotlight on mostly American composers, with a focus on militarily...
Poison drummer Rikki Rockett revamps classic rock songs with The Rockett MafiaVideo
When Poison drummer Rikki Rockett brings his new group The Rockett Mafia to town, even he isn’t 100% sure about what’s going to be played. “We change our mind every other day, I swear to God. That’s what’s cool is, whatever you see this time, you probably will not see...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 4-6
As we look forward to Independence Day weekend, schedules will be packed with barbecues, fireworks and fun. But in between all of the hot dogs and dips in the pool, take some time to see what’s going on in the city. Here are five events to enhance your three-day weekend....
Celebrities react swiftly to Diddy’s trial verdict
The split verdict Wednesday against Sean “Diddy” Combs has sparked controversy — and the reactions on social media have been just as swift. Some of the fastest responses came from celebrities who knew the music mogul personally. Rapper 50 Cent, who has had an over 20-year feud with Diddy, took...
311 jams their way into July at Stage AE
Summer is here (whether we like the way it arrived or not), and that means more than just scorching temperatures. There are also pool parties, long drives with the windows down and lazy, sunny afternoons to look forward to. And, of course, summer jams to soundtrack it all. Few bands...
Pittsburgh’s Frame and Mantle release 2nd album, ‘Well of Light’Video
Pittsburgh’s Frame and Mantle could be described as indie rock or post-emo, but a cursory listen on Spotify might give the impression that horns play a larger role. “I think that’s what people gravitate toward mainly, if they’re a listener, which I love,” guitarist Brian Thompson said. “That’s awesome that...
Documentary celebrating Pittsburgh radio station WAMO in the worksVideo
Multiple generations of Pittsburghers — from baby boomers to millennials and beyond — grew up with radio station WAMO as the background soundtrack to their lives. Now, ex-WAMO on-air personality Tashee “TeeJay” Johnson is bringing the station’s history to the screen with the documentary “WAMO: The Sound of the Steel...
Jury begins deliberating in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial
NEW YORK — Jurors started deliberating Monday at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial, weighing charges that could put the hip-hop mogul in prison for life. After more than two hours of legal instructions from federal Judge Arun Subramanian, the jury of eight men and four women headed behind...
Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Stereo ScandalVideo
When Stereo Scandal put together their first album in 2023, the band’s members were still getting used to each other and focused on coming up with enough material to start playing shows. Their new EP, “Dancing in the Ashes,” is the next step in their evolution. “On this release, there...
U.K. police probe Bob Vylan’s festival chants against Israeli military, as U.S. revokes band’s visas
LONDON — British police launched a criminal investigation Monday into a televised performance at the Glastonbury Festival by rap punk duo Bob Vylan, who drew intense criticism after they led crowds of music fans in chanting “death” to the Israeli military. Meanwhile. the U.S. State Department said it has revoked...
The Lumineers, Pantera, Wiz Khalifa among July’s top concerts in Pittsburgh
The Billy Joel-Rod Stewart show slated for July 5 at Acrisure Stadium would have been the highlight of the month before health concerns forced the entire tour’s cancellation. There are still plenty of big shows coming to the Pittsburgh area in July, including Pittsburgh’s own Wiz Khalifa: Top concerts July...
Music history is littered with projects planned, anticipated, even completed — and then scrapped
NEW YORK — The idea that Bruce Springsteen wrote, recorded and ultimately shelved entire albums of music may seem odd to the casual listener. Why put yourself through all that work for nothing? Yet “lost albums” are embedded in music industry lore. Some were literally lost. Some remained unfinished or...
Prosecutor tells jury ‘it’s time’ to convict Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs as sex trafficking trial near end
NEW YORK — Sean “Diddy” Combs “committed crime after crime” but thought his “fame, wealth and power” put him above the law, a prosecutor told jurors Thursday as the hip-hop mogul’s sex trafficking trial shifted to closing arguments. “That ends now,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik said. “It’s time to...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: June 27-29
Whether you’re a walker, a biker, a dancer or a driver, it’s a great weekend to be on the move in Pittsburgh. Here are some destinations right in your backyard to check out. OpenStreetsPGH Three and a half miles of car-free fun will stretch through Shadyside, East Liberty, Larimer, Point...
Q&A: Stone Temple Pilots move forward with new singer Jeff Gutt: ‘I don’t think it’s sunk in yet’Video
It’s been almost eight years since Jeff Gutt became Stone Temple Pilots’ singer, and he still finds it hard to believe sometimes. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” Gutt said with a laugh. “Every now and then, I’ve got to pinch myself, usually when we’re about to go on...
Western Pa. bands receive Josie Music Award nominations
Western Pennsylvania is well-represented in nominations for the 11th annual Jose Music Awards, which celebrate independent music: Alle-Kiski rock band Sourmash Group of the year, rock Song of the year, rock/alt rock/metal (duo/group alumni), “No More” Vocalist of the year, rock/metal (male), Tim Henry Musician of the year, bass, Dave...
Bobby Sherman, teen idol in the 1960s and ’70s, and later a CPR teacher, dies at 81
Bobby Sherman, whose winsome smile and fashionable shaggy mop top helped make him into a teen idol in the 1960s and ’70s with bubblegum pop hits like “Little Woman” and “Julie, Do Ya Love Me,” has died. He was 81. His wife, Brigitte Poublon, announced the death Tuesday and family...
Mick Ralphs, founding member of Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, dies at 81
Mick Ralphs, a guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of the classic British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has died. A statement posted to Bad Company’s official website Monday announced Ralphs’ death at age 81. Ralphs had a stroke days after what would be his final performance...
Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan dives deep into band’s catalog in Pittsburgh showVideo
If Billy Corgan wants to go out and explore some lesser-known Smashing Pumpkins tracks, that’s fully his right. Corgan, after all, is the singer/guitarist as well as the primary songwriter for the psychedelic, fuzz-laden band that broke big with hits like “Cherub Rock,” “Disarm” and “Today” as alternative rock exploded...
Pittsburgh’s The Cheats release new album — ‘Old Rats on a New Ship’Video
The Cheats, a veteran punk band from Pittsburgh, released their latest album, “Old Rats on a New Ship,” on Friday, but it was actually the second album of originals they put together since 2020’s “Cussin’, Crying ‘N’ Carrying On.” “We actually had a whole record done with another member, but...
Pittsburgh local music spotlight: BenefitsVideo
Benefits’ first full-length album, “Burnout,” presents the songs in the order they were written, based on events ripped from the headlines from 2020-23. “The words and imagery in these songs really are faithfully harvested from the events that were happening and reported in the news over those years,” said Bill...
Blairsville Chamber Music Festival returns bigger than ever
Due to an overwhelming positive response in its previous years, the Blairsville Chamber Music Festival will return for another year from June 26-29. The festival was founded in 2022 by Blairsville native Sarah Marshall and her husband, violinist Avital Mazor. The couple was based in New York, but after multiple...
Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth to perform national anthem before Game 7 of NBA Finals
OKLAHOMA CITY — At 4-foot-11, Kristin Chenoweth is still making it to the NBA Finals. The award-winning actress, singer, Oklahoma native, Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee and unabashed Thunder fan is performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Game 7 of the title series between the Thunder and the Indiana Pacers on...
Faces of the Valley: Lower Burrell musician on her way to Berklee College of Music
Even if you haven’t heard of Elliana Koulouris, if you’ve attended a live event in the Alle-Kiski Valley, you’ve probably heard her voice. The Lower Burrell teenager has made a name for herself over the past six years singing at events, games and festivals, performing in theater, and writing and...
Bassist Carol Kaye says she’s declining Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ‘permanently’
NEW YORK — Carol Kaye, a prolific and revered bassist who played on thousands of songs in the 1960s including hits by the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel and Barbra Streisand, said Friday she wants no part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “I’ve declined the rrhof. Permanently,”...
