Guess who's coming to perform in Pittsburgh
The semester is finally wrapping up, and it’s time to start thinking about summer. Many students choose to remain in the Pittsburgh area to take classes, work at an internship in the city, conduct research, or just for convenience. Music lovers who choose to remain in Pittsburgh this summer are in luck — there is a great lineup of concerts coming to the Steel City. There are many more concerts than the ones listed here and likely many more to be announced in the future; these are just the highlights.
Neon Trees
May 14
Kick off the summer with a bang at a Neon Trees concert. You’ve heard their songs “Animal,” “Everybody Talks,” and their latest single, “Sleeping With A Friend” on the radio. Now hear them live. This tour celebrates the release of their latest album, Pop Psychology. In addition to the upbeat, danceable music, lead singer Tyler Glenn is a high-energy performer with great dance moves and a knack for putting on an entertaining show. The Neon Trees will be at Stage AE on the last day of finals.
Ingrid Michaelson
May 25
Want to hear great live music but don’t want all of the chaos of a typical concert? Then Ingrid Michaelson’s sweet, indie-pop tunes and smooth vocals are the right choice for you. Her music has the ability to make listeners feel like they’re curled up in a fuzzy blanket with a cup of hot cocoa and a puppy in their lap. For a nice alternative to the typical concert, check out Ingrid Michaelson at Stage AE.
Backstreet Boys and Avril Lavigne
June 14
Backstreet’s back, and there’s nothing complicated about it. Take a trip down memory lane at this concert. The Backstreet Boys are celebrating 21 years together with their “In A World Like This” summer tour. Avril Lavigne will be performing new songs in addition to the classics we all know and love from 2002. For a nostalgic and fun concert, head out to the First Niagara Pavilion.
Arctic Monkeys and White Denim
June 17
For music enthusiasts with a special preference for indie rock and a soft spot for English men, the Arctic Monkeys are the perfect band. They will make this international summer tour in support of their fifth and most recent album, AM. Similarly to the Arctic Monkeys, White Denim is a four-piece indie rock band. This band from Texas has a unique sound drawn from dub, psychedelic rock, blues, progressive rock, soul, jazz, and experimental rock. This concert at Stage AE promises to be a great show for fans of alternative music.
Tegan and Sara
June 19
Tegan and Sara, a sister band, are one of those bands that sound even better live than they do on the radio. Most well-known for their single on the radio, “Closer,” these girls are anything but superficial pop stars. Their lyrics are powerful and evocative, and they pour tons of emotion and energy into all of their performances. Not to mention, breaks between songs are filled with humorous banter between Tegan, Sara, and the audience. If you’re looking for a high-energy concert with charismatic performers, check out Tegan and Sara at Stage AE.
Monumentour: Fall Out Boy & Paramore
July 3
This concert promises to be exactly what the title of the tour implies: monumental. This is one of those concerts where both acts will keep you excited, dancing, and enthusiastic from start to finish. With Fall Out Boy’s recent album, Save Rock and Roll, and Paramore’s recent self-titled album, these two bands are sure to put on a great performance featuring many fresh songs, as well as familiar songs from earlier in their careers. Check out the bands you fell in love with in middle school that are somehow still making great music for you to rock out to on the radio at the First Niagara Pavilion.
Paul McCartney
July 7
An oldie but a goodie, no explanation is really needed for why Paul McCartney would put on a great show. For those not impressed by his accomplishments already, at least give the man credit for continuing to put on high energy performances even though he’s not as young as he once was. If your heart lies with classic rock music, check out this iconic star at the Consol Energy Center.
Katy Perry
July 22
Fun fact: Teenage Dream was the first album by a female artist to have five number-one hits. This firework has tons of achievements and honors under her tiny belt for her fun, catchy tunes. However, her latest album Prism features darker music with more self-empowering themes. For a little taste of girl power and a lot of fun, go to the Consol Energy Center.
Jason Aldean, Tyler Farr, Miranda Lambert, & Florida Georgia Line
July 26
If you are a country fan, this concert should sound like heaven — four well-known country stars will come together in one night for what promises to be an awesome concert and a fun time. The location is great too — PNC Park is a great location and a beautiful park that offers a spectacular view of the rivers. Get all your best pals together and head downtown to PNC Park for a night of good old-fashioned country music. Just don’t forget your cowboy hat.
Panic! at the Disco
August 1
Looking for an alternative concert with upbeat, dance-inducing music? Look no further than Panic! at the Disco. If that isn’t enticing enough, attractive lead singer Brendon Urie’s fancy footwork, which includes backflips, should be a solid reason to attend. Urie isn’t just all show, however. He wrote almost every song on the newest album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die, about his best friend who struggled with a drug addiction. Check out this fun concert with a deeper, complex meaning behind the lyrics at Stage AE.