Trans-Siberian Orchestra drummer Jeff Plate on 25 years of touring and hard rock Christmas musicVideo
When Trans-Siberian Orchestra started touring theaters in 1999, they traveled with just one 24-foot box truck, filled with a couple dozen lights, a fog machine and a star curtain. “It was really more about, let’s put this thing on stage and see if this is going to work. Obviously it...
Justin Timberlake proves his pop longevity at PPG Paints Arena
Justin Timberlake is about as known a pop commodity as you’ll find in 2024. He’s spent the vast majority of his life in the limelight, from his childhood “Mickey Mouse Club” days to years topping the charts with boy band NSYNC to finding stratospheric success after going solo. Such a...
The Smithereens drummer Dennis Diken discusses moving forward with guest vocalists after death of frontmanVideo
It’s been a little more than seven years since The Smithereens singer/guitarist Pat DiNizio died, but the power-pop band is still going with a little help from their friends on vocals. With a revolving group of lead singers, the New Jersey group known for songs like “A Girl Like You”...
Elton John calls marijuana legalization ‘greatest mistake of all time’
Elton John is no fan of the legalization of marijuana, calling it “one of the greatest mistakes of all time.” “I maintain that it’s addictive. It leads to other drugs. And when you’re stoned — and I’ve been stoned — you don’t think normally,” the legendary singer told Time in...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 13-15
From cookie lovers to Swifties to those who can’t get enough of the holiday season, Pittsburgh will offer a little something for everyone this weekend. Grab a cocktail, beer or sweet treat, enjoy some tunes and relax with these events. Lawrenceville Cookie Tour This weekend is the perfect time to...
Kansas closes 50th anniversary tour in Pittsburgh with several special guestsVideo
In a night of history and looking back, Kansas wrapped up their Another Fork in the Road 50th Anniversary tour Wednesday night in Pittsburgh. Founded in the early 1970s, the progressive rock band originally broke big in Pittsburgh, with their first show here in 1975, fittingly at the same venue,...
Mariah Carey’s PPG Paints Arena concert canceled Wednesday night
Just hours before showtime Wednesday night, “Queen of Christmas” Mariah Carey canceled her “Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time” tour set for PPG Paints Arena. “Pittsburgh, I am sorry to say, I’ve come down with the flu. It breaks my heart that I unfortunately have to cancel tonight’s show. I love you...
Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL’s relationship with music mogul, AP sources say
IRVING, Texas — A rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z, whose company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show, won’t impact the league’s relationship with the music mogul, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “With the...
Photos: The Jesus Lizard, Spotlights at Stage AE in Pittsburgh
In their first show in Pittsburgh since the 1990s, The Jesus Lizard showed few signs of slowing down Monday night at Stage AE. The veteran rockers — don’t call them noise rock — are touring in support of “Rack,” their first new album since 1998. Alongside songs from the new...
Laufey on jazz purists, Olivia Rodrigo and her new Hollywood Bowl concert movie
LOS ANGELES — Five years ago, Laufey knew who she was. “Or at least I knew the many different people I was,” she says. “What I didn’t know was who I was as one person.” The daughter of an Icelandic father and a Chinese mother, Laufey grew up studying classical...
‘A Very Yinzer Christmas’ brings Pittsburgh musicians to the Benedum Center
A who’s-who from the Pittsburgh music scene will gather together for a night of Christmas cheer on Monday night — all for a good cause. The third annual “A Very Yinzer Christmas” will be held at the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh on Dec. 9. Now a new tradition among...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 6-8
Hopefully, the weather outside won’t be quite as frightful this weekend — the city should be thawing a little after a frigid week. Enjoy it while it lasts! Dance, shop, eat and even parade with these events in Pittsburgh this weekend. Saturday in Mellon Square Featuring the awe-inspiring Aurora light...
Billy Joel, Rod Stewart team up for Pittsburgh show at Acrisure Stadium
A pair of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are headed to Pittsburgh next year for a stadium show. Billy Joel and Rod Stewart will co-headline a concert July 5 at Acrisure Stadium. Joel, 75, has a catalog of chart toppers to pull from, whether it’s “Big Shot,” “It’s Still...
Ohio man charged with stalking 1 day after release on similar charge
Hours after being released from jail Monday for stalking singer Lacey Sturm in Murrysville, an Ohio man was back behind bars after he showed up at the woman’s home, according to court papers. Anthony A. Carpenter, 43, arrived at the house at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday in a flat bed truck,...
Pearl Jam announces 2 Pittsburgh shows in MayVideo
Get ready for a double dose of Pearl Jam this spring. The veteran alternative rockers are coming to Pittsburgh next year for a pair of shows on their Dark Matter tour, with concerts announced Thursday for May 16 and 18 at PPG Paints Arena. The grunge rockers erupted in the...
Interview: Kansas guitarist Rich Williams on ending the band’s 50th anniversary tour in PittsburghVideo
Rich Williams, the longtime guitarist for Kansas, can’t recall ever opening and closing a tour in one city. But that’s what the veteran progressive rockers will do when Kansas caps its Another Fork in the Road 50th Anniversary tour later this month. Kansas will end their tour on Dec. 11...
Spotify Wrapped is finally here. How can you see your 2024 recap?
NEW YORK — It’s that time of year: Spotify has released its annual Wrapped, personalized recaps of users’ listening habits and year in audio. Spotify has been giving its listeners breakdowns of their data since 2016. And each year, it’s become a bigger production — and internet sensation. Spotify said...
Local musicians bring The Cure in latest installment of Pittsburgh PlaysVideo
For the fifth installment of Pittsburgh Plays, founder Josh Bakaitus went with a band that he only got into in recent years. “I wish I could say I’ve been a lifelong Cure superfan, but honestly, while I have been familiar with their hits, I only really truly discovered them in...
The Jesus Lizard guitarist Duane Denison on new ‘Rack’ album, the band’s evolution ahead of Pittsburgh show
For a band originally formed back in 1987, The Jesus Lizard have remained hard to define, often finding themselves labeled as noise rock. “We don’t clearly fit in any camp, really. We’ve often had songs or parts of songs that had unusual time signatures,” said guitarist Duane Denison. “So people...
Ohio man pleads guilty to stalking of Flyleaf singer
An Ohio man jailed since May after he was accused of stalking a singer at her Murrysville home was paroled Monday after he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor charges. Anthony A. Carpenter, 44, of Rutland, Ohio, had been in jail without bond for more than six months after he was...
Avril Lavigne brings Greatest Hits tour to Pittsburgh in 2025Video
Avril Lavigne extended her Greatest Hits tour, with a stop announced next year for Pittsburgh. The eight-time Grammy nominated singer will play the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown on June 26, 2025, joined by Simple Plan and We The Kings. Lavigne, known for chart-topping songs like “Complicated, “Sk8er Boi”...
Pianist Christian Sands talks Christmas classics, originals ahead of Pittsburgh showsVideo
Having grown up in Connecticut, jazz pianist Christian Sands definitely values the warmer weather of his current home city of Los Angeles. “Oh yeah, I appreciate that I don’t have to shovel at all out here,” he said with a laugh, “or go outside and warm my car up in...
AC/DC coming to Pittsburgh for show at Acrisure StadiumVideo
AC/DC will be back in black (and gold) territory next year. The legendary hard rock band will headline a show on May 8, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, the home of the Steelers. The Power Up tour, named after their 2020 album, will mark the Rock and Roll Hall...
The Nick’s Fat City reunion at Stage AE was a rocking trip down memory lane
Pittsburgh is a nostalgic town. We love looking back at the glory days of our professional sports victories, and driving directions from any Yinzer are likely to rely on you knowing where something “used to be.” These days, one of those “used to be” locations could very well be Nick’s...
Inside ‘The Underground’: Iron Mountain in Butler County preserves audio, video, digital media for the future
When audio engineer Brett Zinn began working with the master tapes of “Learning to Fly” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he noticed an unusual item on the track list. “I was looking at it, when I was transferring, I’m like, ‘cup?’ What on earth is ‘cup?’ Why would I...
