Monroeville man will march in Tournament of Roses Parade with a band of, well, band directors
Michael Buckstein might be an assistant band director at the University of Pittsburgh, but it has still been a while since he practiced his heel-toe marching step. He’s been brushing up lately, though, after being chosen to perform with the Band Directors’ Marching Band at the annual Tournament of Roses...
Year in review: The top Pittsburgh concerts in 2025Video
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:...
2025 Pittsburgh area concert calendar
Concerts scheduled for the Pittsburgh area: December 2025 Dec. 23: Nowhere Wolves, Dumplings, Lucky Us, Common Spence at Government Center Dec. 26: Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Iron City Houserockers at Crafthouse Dec. 26: Bill Toms and Hard Rain, Jim Donovan & the Sun King Warriors at Jergel’s Dec. 26:...
Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Boy Wonders
The sophomore album from Pittsburgh jangle pop band Boy Wonders feels “more mature” than their debut, according to singer/guitarist Derek January. “(It) really sees us digging into ‘60s pop more — there’s jangly 12-string guitars all over the place, lots of group harmonies,” he said. “Some of that post-punk feel...
Tired of Mariah Carey? Here are some holiday tunes you don’t hear too oftenVideo
It may seem difficult to imagine, but once upon a time, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas (Is You)” didn’t get played three times per hour on every single radio station that broadcasts holiday tunes. Having recently acquired my father’s vintage Marantz record player and hi-fi speaker system, I’ve...
Singer-songwriter Chris Rea, known for ‘Driving Home for Christmas,’ dies at 74
LONDON — Chris Rea, the singer and songwriter best known for the hit “Driving Home for Christmas,” has died at 74, his family said Monday. Rea died in the hospital following a short illness, according to a statement from his family to Britain’s Press Association news agency. Rea found fame...
Trisha Yearwood melds country and Christmas spirit with PSO at Heinz Hall
We’re on the one-week countdown to Christmas, and yet, it can still be a struggle to get into the holiday spirit for some. Clearly, country superstar Trisha Yearwood sensed the need for a boost in all things merry and bright — with her “Christmastime with Trisha Yearwood: 12 Days of...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 19-21
The holidays are officially underway — Christmas is just days away, Hanukkah is lighting up the nights and the winter solstice is Sunday. Incorporate these events into your holidays for a little extra fun this weekend. Trans-Siberian Orchestra For almost three decades, progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra has been turning...
Girl group Danity Kane bare their souls amid poppy hit songs at Jergel’s
For many of us in our 30s and 40s, you need to say no more than “this pop group was formed on a 2000s MTV reality show” and we’re there. That would explain the sold-out crowd Tuesday night at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale. Unfortunately, sometimes nostalgia has a darker...
Con Alma seeks donations to keep the doors open and the jazz playing
Please don’t stop the music. That’s the plea from owners of a popular live jazz restaurant venue with the launch last week of a GoFundMe campaign. They have a fundraising goal of $150,000 to pay off mounting business-related bills. Con Alma is the only jazz bar and restaurant in Downtown...
Punk protest group Pussy Riot declared ‘extremist organization’ by a Russian court
Punk group Pussy Riot was declared an “extremist organization” by a Russian court on Monday. The ruling, which was made by Moscow’s Tverskoy District Court, effectively outlaws the group from operating in Russia and puts anyone linked with the group at risk of criminal prosecution. The feminist protest group first...
Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Trish ImbrognoVideo
Trish Imbrogno described her debut EP, “Bluegrass Love Songs, Volume One,” as leaning into the “gentler” side of bluegrass love songs, or in other words, “the heartbreakers where nobody ends up in a river. “These are familiar classics with a clean, modern touch, plus a few instrumentals that say just...
Manheim Steamroller impresses with rock-filled holiday cheer at the Benedum Center
So much of Christmas is about the blending of old and new traditions, which makes neoclassical ensemble Manheim Steamroller, founded in 1974 by composer Chip Davis, an ideal soundtrack to the holidays. It turns out that a lot of people have felt that way over the past four decades; Davis...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 12-14
The temperature just keeps dropping, but the ‘Burgh shows no sign of stopping! There’s lots to do and see this weekend all around town, so don’t miss out just because of a chill. Here are a few must-dos this weekend. Holiday storytelling show The holidays can be a complicated time...
ZZ Top playing at Palace Theatre in Greensburg next springVideo
ZZ Top has expanded their The Big One! tour, and it now includes a stop in Greensburg. The veteran Texas hard rockers, known for songs like “Legs” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” will headling the Palace Theatre on May 19. Related • Review: Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top keep alive spirit...
St. Vincent Camerata explores Mary and the manger with ‘Nata Nox’ concerts
Chaz Bowers of Elizabeth has been admiring the St. Vincent Camerata for quite some time now. Over the years, he’s played the organ for several of the chamber ensemble’s concerts, and the music they perform is at the heart of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, where he serves as music...
Son arrested after Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes is stabbed to death at California home
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes was stabbed to death at his home in Santa Monica, California, and his son was arrested on suspicion of murder, authorities said Tuesday. Officers responded to a 911 call Monday night reporting an assault in progress at the residence in the coastal...
Here are 5 takeaways from the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Netflix documentary
Rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s four-part documentary on embattled hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs premiered last week on Netflix, and it is currently the platform’s most-viewed show. “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” traces Diddy’s ascent to becoming one of hip-hop’s most powerful figures and his subsequent downfall amid a wave of...
Goo Goo Dolls’ summer tour will visit PittsburghVideo
Soft rock stalwarts Goo Goo Dolls are bringing their summer tour to Pittsburgh next year. Known for adult contemporary hits like “Iris,” “Slide” and “Name,” Goo Goo Dolls will headline the Pavilion at Star Lake on Aug. 14, joined by Neon Trees. The band’s Tiny Desk Concert for NPR debuted...
Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Tory Silver — plus a video debutVideo
Getting to make a new album in Los Angeles, with indie rock star Jay Som producing and engineering it, was “huge” for Pittsburgh’s Tory Silver. “It really felt like we were doing something big and important and just unreal. We crowdfunded for this album, and raised almost $15,000,” Silver said....
Trump awards medals to the Kennedy Center honorees in an Oval Office ceremony
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Saturday presented the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees with their medals during a ceremony in the Oval Office, hailing the slate of artists he was deeply involved in choosing as “perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class” ever assembled. This year’s recipients are actor Sylvester...
Q&A: Alicia Witt on 1st Pittsburgh visit, Christmas show at Jergel’s and moreVideo
Actress/musician Alicia Witt’s first and only visit to Pittsburgh came in 1986, yet the memories stand out almost 40 years later. That’s because the then 10-year-old, who by then had appeared in “Dune” and won plenty of piano competitions, got to perform at Heinz Hall — with Liberace as her...
Bomb squad sweeps Pittsburgh Symphony’s chartered plane in response to threat
Allegheny County Police on Thursday investigated a security threat impacting a plane chartered by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. A note “that was deemed to be potentially threatening” was found at Pittsburgh International Airport around 10:35 a.m. Thursday, Jim Madalinsky, a county police spokesman, said Friday. The county’s bomb squad swept...
The Palace Theatre to welcome The Drifters, The Platters and Cornell Gunter’s Coasters
Take a spin back in time with this Friday night’s show at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg. The Drifters, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters and The Platters will perform for a night full of classic tunes and amazing vocals. The three groups boast dozens of hits between them, and all three have...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 5-7
Brrr! Winter weather has arrived in Pittsburgh and we’re all feeling the chill. But that’s no excuse to stay home — bundle up and head out to see what’s going on in the ‘Burgh this weekend. Handmade Arcade Holiday Market It’s the thought that counts when it comes to gift-giving,...