As the temperature heats up, so do stages all across the Pittsburgh region. This summer promises to be a packed and exciting concert season in venues both indoors and outdoors. From legacy acts with heaps of sing-along hits to red-hot new pop stars, fans should have no trouble finding a favorite performing locally this summer.
For hip hop and R&B fans, we’ll see epic tours that include Ne-Yo and Akon (Aug. 2 at the Pavilion at Star Lake), as well as a joint tour between TLC and Salt-N-Pepa (Aug. 24 at the Pavilion at Star Lake). Other Star Lake summer shows will include Chris Stapleton (June 17), Kid Rock (June 20) and the Goo Goo Dolls (Aug 14).
Pop lovers can see Teddy Swims (June 7 at the Petersen Events Center, ZAYN (July 20 at PPG Paints Arena) and Kesha (Aug. 25 at the Pavilion at Star Lake).
There will also be smaller summer concert series around town, including performances of classical music, blues and more in City of Pittsburgh parks. WYEP will hold its Neighborhood Concert Series at venues across the region throughout the summer, ending on Sept. 19.
Here’s a look at some of the most-anticipated concerts of the upcoming season.
Morgan Wallen (June 5-6, Acrisure Stadium): Sometimes controversial country star Morgan Wallen brings his Still the Problem tour to town for two nights at Acrisure Stadium, a big move up from his last sold-out shows here in 2023 at PNC Park. The “Last Night” and “Whiskey Glasses” singer will have different openers, with Brooks & Dunn on Friday and Ella Langley on Saturday.
Megan Moroney (June 16, PPG Paints Arena): Country singer Megan Moroney, a self-described “emo cowgirl,” is flying high on her Cloud 9 tour, with a sold-out show in Pittsburgh (after selling out Stage AE outdoors last year). Moroney’s latest album, “Cloud 9,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts in February.
Nelly, Third Eye Blind (June 27, Point State Park): A temperature prediction this far away might be difficult, but it will be “Hot in Herre” when rapper Nelly and alternative rockers Third Eye Blind (“Semi-Charmed Life” and “How’s It Going to Be”) rock Point State Park as part of the state’s Commonwealth Concert Series in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding.
Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind and Fire (June 30, PPG Paints Arena): The summer heat will get turned up a notch thanks to the funk of Earth, Wind and Fire and the soulful vocals of Lionel Richie. With hits between them including “Let’s Groove,” “September,” “All Night Long (All Night)” and “Say You, Say Me,” audiences will enjoy dance classics and sentimental ballads alike in this nostalgic concert.
Noah Kahan (July 3, PNC Park): Folk-pop star Noah Kahan, known for songs like “Stick Season,” brings his Great Divide tour for a sold-out show at PNC Park. The entire North American tour is sold out for Kahan, who was recently featured in the Netflix documentary “Noah Kahan: Out of Body.”
Benson Boone (July 7, PPG Paints Arena): This up-and-coming pop artist had a monster hit with “Beautiful Things,” a No. 2 hit that spent 89 weeks on the charts. He followed it up with top-20 hits “Mystical Magical” and “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else.” Known for his theatricality, watch out for his trademark backflips at this energetic show.
Motley Crue (July 17, The Pavilion at Star Lake): Glam rockers Motley Crue are celebrating their 45th anniversary with the Return of the Carnival of Sins tour. It’s sure to be a spectacle when the “Home Sweet Home” and “Kickstart My Heart” rockers return to Pittsburgh for their first show here since 2022 at PNC Park.
Dave Matthews Band (July 24, The Pavilion at Star Lake): Known for their live shows, this longtime jam band will wow the crowd with their musicianship and improvisation. Dave Matthews Band is a perfect summer show, especially at the outdoor Pavilion at Star Lake. Enjoy lasting ’90s classics including “Ants Marching,” “The Space Between” and “What Would You Say.”
“Weird Al” Yankovic (Aug. 1, The Pavilion at Star Lake): With more than four decades of parodying your favorite hit songs under his belt, “Weird Al” is a charismatic and hilarious performer with a devoted fanbase both young and old. With everlasting parodies including “Eat It,” “Like A Surgeon,” “Word Crimes” and more, he’ll have you laughing and dancing along.
Bruno Mars (Aug. 29, Acrisure Stadium): Pop/R&B superstar Bruno Mars released his first solo album in a decade earlier this year, and now he’s taking it on the road — all over the world. Both a talented singer and a gifted dancer, Mars will bring along collaborator Anderson .Paak and pull from his catalogue of hits that include “Just The Way You Are,” “Uptown Funk,” “24K Magic” and “I Just Might,” which hit No. 1 this past January.
For the latest area concert calendar, visit triblive.com.