The concert season is really starting to pick up in the Pittsburgh region as the weather warms up. Here’s a look at the most notable shows coming to the area in May:
May’s top shows
May 1: Billy Idol, Kelsy Karter and the Heroines at UPMC Events Center
Veteran glam punk rocker Billy Idol’s spring tour brings him to Moon Township, where his greatest hits, like “Rebel Yell” and “White Wedding,” will be on the agenda for the sold-out show. Recent shows have also included songs from his latest EPs, “The Roadside” and “The Cage.”
“Some way or other, by hook or by crook, I finagled my way into this position where I’m still going strong and enjoying it,” Idol told Variety in November. “We just started playing because we loved it. Maybe it would last six months or a couple, three years. And now it’s almost 50 years later. The music we’ve been putting out lately has been fantastic. (Guitarist) Steve Stevens just keeps getting better and better. I’m grateful. Who could’ve imagined?”
Read more: Billy Idol on getting the mark of a true idol: a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
May 13: Lizzo, Latto at PPG Paints Arena
The Grammy Award-winning singer/rapper is on the road for The Special 2our, named after last year’s album, “Special,” with a stop at nearly sold-out PPG Paints Arena.
The “About Damn Time” singer made headlines for her recent show in Tennessee, where she brought out drag queens in a statement against state legislation meant to restrict the performances.
“Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?” Lizzo said on stage.
Read more: Lizzo brings drag queens on stage, protesting Tennessee law
May 17: Blink-182, Turnstile at PPG Paints Arena
The reunited pop punkers Blink-182 (guitarist Tom DeLonge rejoined bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker after a seven-year absence) played Coachella in April and hit the road in early May, including a sold-out show at PPG Paints Arena.
The band released a new song, “Edging,” last year and a new album is expected later this year.
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Read more: Blink-182 announces world reunion tour, new music
May 22 and 23: John Mellencamp at Benedum Center
John Mellencamp had plenty of radio hits from the 1970s through the 1990s, and most are guaranteed to be played at both nights of the Benedum shows. But he’s continued to put out music over the ensuing decades. His 25th album, “Orpheus Descending,” is scheduled to be released June 2 and features a just-released single, “Hey God,” which addresses gun violence.
“I have — since I was a kid — reexamined the American dream and decided it looks a lot different on paper than it does in reality,” he said in March at the University of Indiana. “The American dream is just that, but you have to be asleep to believe it.”
Read more: John Mellencamp asks if weapons are really our right in new ‘Hey God’
Sold-out shows
May 1: The Interrupters, Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Chuck Ragan at Roxian Theatre
If you miss out on this show, the ska-punk Interrupters, which released “In the Wild” last August, will be back in the area this summer for the Four Chord Music Festival.
May 3: Vieux Farka Toure, DJ Pandemic Pete at Andy Warhol Museum
The Malian singer/guitarist released “Les Racines” last year.
May 13: Richard Thompson at Thunderbird Music Hall
The British singer/songwriter released his 19th solo album, “13 Rivers,” in 2018 and a book, “Beeswing: Losing My Way and Finding My Voice 1967-1975,” in 2021.
May 16: Waterparks, Hunny, Elliot Lee at Roxian Theatre
The pop-punkers released their latest album, “Intellectual Property,” in April.
May 23: Bonnie Raitt, NRBQ at Heinz Hall
The veteran blues singer/guitarist won Grammys earlier this year for her song “Just Like That,” which was named Song of the Year and Best American Roots Song, and “Made Up Mind,” which was named Best Americana Performance.
Other notable shows
May 2: Mac Ayres at Stage AE
May 3: August Burns Red, The Devil Wears Prada, Bleed From Within at Stage AE
May 4: Mandy Patinkin at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse
May 8: Quinn XCII, Arizona, Julia Wolf at Stage AE
May 9: Drive-By Truckers, Lydia Loveless at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
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May 10: Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band, Adeem at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
May 11: Mike Tramp at Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh
May 12: Brooks & Dunn, Scotty McCreery at PPG Paints Arena
May 13: Jr. Walker’s Allstar Band, The Contours at the Palace Theatre
May 20: The Village People at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows
May 22: Beach Bunny, Pup, Pool Kids at Stage AE
May 23: Trivium, Beartooth, Malevolence, Archetypes Collide at Stage AE
May 25: Boz Scaggs at Carnegie Music Hall of Oakland
May 25: Citizen Cope at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
May 26: Creed Bratton at Roxian Theatre
May 27: WonderWorks Music Festival: Hozier, The Head and the Heart, Coin, X Ambassadors, Stephen Sanchez, Andy Frasco & the Un, The Blue Stones, Smallpools, Almost Monday, Michigander, Ruby Waters, Abby Holliday at Hartwood Acres
May 28: WonderWorks Music Festival: Jason Mraz and His Superband, Mt. Joy, The Revivalists, The Airborne Toxic Event, Matt Maeson, Wilderado, The Aces, Daisy the Great, The Heavy Heavy, Jess Williamson, Ax and the Hatchetmen, The Vindys at Hartwood Acres
May 28: Beach Boys at Nemacolin
May 28: Billy Porter at Heinz Hall
May 28: Avatar, Veil of Maya, Orbit Culture at Roxian Theatre
May 31: Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
