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...
Where can you listen to live Christmas music?
From Christmas cantata choirs to community bands to elementary and high schools, ‘tis the season for holiday music. Here are some seasonal concerts happening across southwestern Pennsylvania. Events are free except where indicated. • Scottdale Concert Band holiday concert, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Woodcrest Senior Living Community, 1 Woodcrest...
Yacht rock gets celebrated — smoothly, of course — in new documentary
NEW YORK — The stress of Thanksgiving is over. Now it’s time to heat up leftovers, relax on the couch and enjoy the smooth sounds of a wrongly mocked music genre: yacht rock. The late-’70s songs of Steely Dan, Michael McDonald and Christopher Cross take center stage Friday in the...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Now that we’re all full and well-rested after a Thanksgiving feast, we’re ready to work off some calories by getting out and about this weekend. Whether you’re into music, comedy or some holiday fun, here are a few things to check out around town. An Evening With Chevy Chase “National...
Mariah Carey, Kansas, Justin Timberlake highlight top December concerts in Pittsburgh
It’s getting closer to wrapping up 2024, but there are still several big concerts in Pittsburgh to close out the year. Here’s a look at some of the top shows coming to the area in December: Top concerts Dec. 11: Mariah Carey at PPG Paints Arena As soon as the...
Highmark First Night Pittsburgh to feature music by Roger Humphries, Frzy
People in Western Pennsylvania can ring in 2025 with jazz legend Roger Humphries. The Pittsburgh jazz icon will present “Roger Humphries Celebrates the Music of Ray Charles” with his big band and vocalists from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the Byham Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh. Humphries and...
Pentatonix kicks off holiday season with sparkle and joy at PPG Paints Arena
We will be inundated with holiday music for the next month. For some, the prospect may elicit groans — for others, there’s no more wonderful time of the year. Most of the music on the radio in the coming weeks will be older. In many ways, the nostalgic nature of...
‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator’ make gravity-defying theater debuts
NEW YORK — With a combined $270 million in worldwide ticket sales, “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” breathed fresh life into a box office that has struggled lately, leading to one of the busiest moviegoing weekends of the year. Jon M. Chu’s lavish big-budget musical “Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia...
Pittsburgh’s Punchline celebrates 20th anniversary of ‘Action’ album with hometown showVideo
In a full-circle moment, Punchline will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their “Action” album with a show at the Roxian Theatre on next Saturday, less than a mile from the band’s McKees Rocks practice space where the album was written. The veteran Pittsburgh pop-punk band’s show will feature the full...
U.S. customs officers seize 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitarsVideo
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials on Saturday announced the largest seizure ever of counterfeit Gibson electric guitars. Working with U.S. Homeland Security and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, agents recently seized more than 3,000 counterfeit guitars at the Port of Los Angeles, the nation’s largest seaport complex. The...
Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album ‘GNX’
LOS ANGELES — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present Friday with the surprise drop of a new album. The Grammy winner’s 12-track “GNX” is his first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” and his sixth studio album overall. It also comes just months after...
Pittsburgh Symphony Splendor House Tour theme features Broadway shows
Classic shows such as “The Great Gatsby,” “My Fair Lady,” “Kinky Boots” and “A Christmas Carol” represent the theme of the 10th annual Symphony Splendor House Tour — “Christmas on Broadway.” Hosted by the Pittsburgh Symphony Association to benefit the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the tour will include a Broadway-themed tree...
Posthumous Mac Miller album to be released in January
Pittsburgh native rapper Mac Miller will have official new music out in the New Year — more than six years after his tragic death. Miller’s estate revealed Wednesday that Miller’s project “Balloonerism” will be released Jan. 17. “Many of Malcolm’s fans are aware of ‘Balloonerism,’ a full-length album that Malcolm...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 22-24
This Saturday is Light Up Night, and just a few days later we’ll officially usher in the holiday season with Thanksgiving. It’s time to embrace the cheer — or not — with festivities around Pittsburgh this weekend. Here are five ideas for things to do. Phipps Holiday Magic Embark on...
Opus 2 Orchestra marks 70th anniversary with music from its founder
Next month, Evan Reichenfeld will continue a musical tradition that began in the late 1930s, when his great-grandfather Eugene emigrated to the United States from his native Hungary. Reichenfeld, 28, a middle school music teacher in the Woodland Hills School District, took over a few years ago as conductor for...
Matteo Bocelli discusses blazing his path in pop music, his Ed Sheeran song and a new single ahead of Pittsburgh showVideo
With a father like the famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, it’s only natural for Matteo Bocelli to hear the comparisons. Yet, the younger Bocelli said it’s important that he forges his own identity, and he’s doing so in the pop music world. “Well, definitely identity is something I’ve always worked...
Has a waltz written by composer Frederic Chopin been discovered in an NYC museum?Video
NEW YORK — The brooding waltz was carefully composed on a sheet of music roughly the size of an index card. The brief, moody number also bore an intriguing name, written at the top in cursive: “Chopin.” A previously unknown work of music penned by the European master Frederic Chopin...
Chris Stapleton wins 4 CMA Awards, but Morgan Wallen gets entertainer of the year
Chris Stapleton took home four Country Music Association Awards and hardly left the stage on Wednesday night, while an absent Morgan Wallen was shut out all evening until taking the night’s biggest prize, entertainer of the year. Stapleton’s wins included song of the year and single of the year for...
‘MJ The Musical’ is a groovy tribute to the King of Pop at the Benedum Center
Michael Jackson was an innovator, an icon, a musical prodigy, a multitalented superstar and a controversial figure in the world of pop culture. It was only a matter of time until a Broadway musical about his life hit the stage. After a delay due to the covid-19 pandemic, “MJ The...
