Ben Folds wows Heinz Hall fans in PSO concert
Of all the cities singer-songwriter and pianist Ben Folds couldn’t perform in during the pandemic, Pittsburgh may well have been the one he missed the most. It’s no secret that Folds loves the Steel City. “I’ve always thought Pittsburgh was a memorable, outstanding, soulful place,” he said in an interview...
Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes talks ‘1972’ EP and his sibling reconciliation
For nearly a decade, siblings Chris and Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes were estranged, brothers broken by acrimony and resentment. Not anymore. The Atlanta natives reconciled a few years ago and are now on good terms. The band has been touring since 2019 with the pandemic creating an unexpected...
Carlos Santana keeps his music-legend persona at arm’s length: ‘I don’t even look at that guy!’ he says
There is one person Carlos Santana is careful to keep out of his home, and it’s … Carlos Santana. Or, more precisely, it’s the famous Carlos Santana who you won’t find a hint of in the home he shares with his wife and band mate, drum dynamo Cindy Blackman Santana....
Hank Williams Jr. unleashes Thunderhead Hawkins on bawdy blues record
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sometimes it’s hard to tell who Hank Williams Jr. really is behind the dark sunglasses and the beard covering facial scars. How much of him is a persona — or a stage presence — is further complicated by the fact that Williams takes on multiple identities, whether...
McCartney marks 80th birthday with Springsteen, 60,000 palsVideo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Hard to think of a better way for Paul McCartney to celebrate his 80th birthday than by singing “Glory Days” onstage with Bruce Springsteen or being serenaded by some 60,000 well-wishers. That’s right, the “cute Beatle” turns 80 on Saturday. It’s one of those cultural milestones...
Ringo Starr announces new Pittsburgh date for concert
It’s didn’t take long for former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and His All Starr band to find a date to reschedule their Pittsburgh concert originally set for this Saturday at PPG Paints Arena. Five days after announcing the postponement of the show because two of his band members tested positive...
Mariah Carey, Neptunes to get in Songwriters Hall of Fame
NEW YORK — Silenced for two years, the Songwriters Hall of Fame is ready to party again, welcoming a diverse set of artists for its Class of 2022, including pop diva Mariah Carey, the weirdly cool producers the Neptunes, the British electro-pop band Eurythmics, psychedelic bluesman Steve Miller and the...
Label says BTS plan for solo projects plan is not a hiatus
Global superstars BTS said they are taking time to focus on solo projects, but the company behind the groundbreaking K-pop group said they are not taking a hiatus. The seven-member group with hits like “Butter” and “Dynamite” talked about their future in a video posted Tuesday celebrating the nine year...
Millennial Money: Maximize your music festival savings
Attendees of this year’s Coachella music festival have posted viral videos adding up their expenses from the weekend — with costs reaching the thousands for flights, hotels, food, drinks, outfits and rideshares. Plus the ticket, which can start around $400 for a three-day pass to a popular festival like Lollapalooza...
No satisfaction: Mick Jagger has covid, Rolling Stones gig in Amsterdam off
AMSTERDAM — The Rolling Stones canceled their concert Monday in Amsterdam, just hours before it was due to start after lead singer Mick Jagger tested positive for Ccovid-19. The band announced the cancelation in a statement, saying the 78-year-old Jagger tested positive “after experiencing symptoms of covid upon arrival at...
Community leaders set to sing karaoke at Westmoreland Has Talent!
Carlotta Paige, co-founder of the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition, once aspired to a career as a singer. Growing up in Westmoreland County, she sang with a group called The Cashmeres and later moved to New York City and got a job as an administrative assistant at Columbia Records, hoping to get...
Post Malone returning to Pittsburgh for September show
Popular rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer Post Malone (Austin Richard Post) has announced his return to Pittsburgh in 2022 as part of his “Twelve Carat Tour.” Produced by Live Nation, the tour will stop at PPG Paints Arena on Sept. 28. Malone, sporting his numerous signature tattoos, last performed in...
Carrie Underwood amps up her wattage with new album, tour
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No one can accuse Carrie Underwood of underdressing — or underdelivering — when the country superstar puts out her latest record “Denim & Rhinestones” during the same weekend of CMA Fest and giving tens of thousands of fans a stadium-sized performance. After a two-year hiatus because of...
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to receive lifetime honor at BET Awards
LOS ANGELES — Sean “Diddy” Combs built one of hip-hop’s biggest empires, blazing a trail with his own music television network and fashion line, and now his decorated career has earned him one of the highest honors at the BET Awards this month. Combs will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award...
This week’s top Pittsburgh area concerts: The Lumineers, George Thorogood, Corinne Bailey Rae
Folk rockers The Lumineers visit the Pavilion at Star Lake on Wednesday for their Brightside World Tour with support from Caamp. The band, who hit it big with “Ho Hey” in 2012, are touring in support of their album, “Brightside,” which came out earlier this year. Tickets start at $35....
‘A Strange Loop’ makes history at Tonys; ‘Company’ wins 5Video
NEW YORK — “A Strange Loop,” an irreverent, sexually frank work about Blackness and queerness took home the best new musical crown at the Tony Awards on Sunday, as voters celebrated Broadway’s most racially diverse season by choosing an envelope-pushing Black voice. Michael R. Jackson’s 2020 Pulitzer Prize drama winner...
Ringo Starr postpones Saturday PPG Paints Arena show: 2 band members have covid
To quote one of Ringo Starr’s best known songs, “you know it don’t come easy.” Starr has announced that he is postponing the 12 remaining June dates on his 2022 tour schedule, including his concert scheduled for Saturday at PPG Paints Arena, after two members of his All Starr band...
Thousands of fans celebrate Kenny Chesney’s return on Pittsburgh’s North Shore
Maybe it’s because the weather was absolutely perfect for an outdoor tailgate on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Or maybe it’s because the music of country superstar Kenny Chesney brings people together. Or maybe it’s because so much of the world shut down over the last two years because of covid-19. Whatever...
Britney Spears marries Sam Asghari in California
LOS ANGELES — Britney Spears has married her longtime partner Sam Asghari at a Southern California ceremony that came months after the pop superstar won her freedom from a court conservatorship. Asghari’s representative Brandon Cohen confirmed the couple’s nuptials. He said: “I am very ecstatic this day has come, and...
They Might Be Giants singer-guitarist injured in NYC crash
NEW YORK — They Might Be Giants singer-guitarist John Flansburgh was seriously injured in a car crash this week while being driven home from the alternative rock band’s first gig on a pandemic-delayed tour, prompting the postponement of shows at least until late August. Meanwhile, the driver of the car...
Kenny Chesney to break out fan favorites for Heinz Field show
Kenny Chesney knows what his fans want to hear, and he’s prepared to give it to them Saturday when he returns to Heinz Field. In his first Pittsburgh show since the start of the pandemic, all indications are that the country music legend will be sticking with his familiar formula...
Johnny Depp, Jeff Beck announce new joint album, ’18’
NEW YORK — Fresh off his legal battle with his ex-wife, Johnny Depp has announced that he and legendary guitarist Jeff Beck will release an album of mostly covers next month. The duo’s 13-track album is titled “18” and will drop on July 15. They said they titled the album...
Split Stage musical salutes those about to rock at Irwin’s Lamp Theatre
If there’s a lack of ’80s rock in your life, Split Stage Productions has a remedy. The theater company will shake the walls of Irwin’s Lamp Theatre beginning Friday with a five-night run of the jukebox rock extravaganza “Rock of Ages.” First a Broadway musical and then a movie, “Rock...
Reunited rap group Goodie Mob hitting Pittsburgh for Arts Fest show
Reunited, and it sounds so good. At least that’s what fans of the Atlanta-based rap collective Goodie Mob are expecting when the group takes the Dollar Bank Main Stage at the Three Rivers Arts Festival Saturday night at 7:30. Its 1995 album “Soul Food” is cited as one of hip-hop’s...
Heinz Field releases policies for weekend Chesney concert
Kenny Chesney is bringing his “Here and Now” stadium tour to Pittsburgh on Saturday, and officials are hoping to keep the trash and debauchery in the parking lots to a minimum. Heinz Field officials released information for those who plan to attend the concert as a reminder of the policies...
