Pittsburgh may have lost what was slated to be a huge music festival when Sudden Little Thrills abruptly announced its cancellation last week, but there are still plenty of big shows in the region. The summer concert season unofficially kicks off Wednesday with Noah Kahan’s sold-out show opening the Pavilion at Star Lake’s schedule.
Here’s a look at 10 of the biggest shows of the summer season:
May 29: Noah Kahan at the Pavilion at Star Lake
“Stick Season” singer Noah Kahan opens the season at the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown with a sold-out show. Kahan’s We’ll All Be Here Forever tour is named after the expanded version of his “Stick Season album … not the thoughts of people trying to leave the Star Lake parking lot.
June 1: Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney, Uncle Kracker at Acrisure Stadium
Kenny Chesney is going to make it an even dozen stadium shows in Pittsburgh, when the chart-topping country singer’s Sun Goes Down tour visits Acrisure Stadium.
June 22-23: Four Chord Music Fest at Carrie Furnace
The 10th edition of the Four Chord Music Fest — which celebrates emo, punk and hardcore music — is moving to Carrie Furnace this year after mostly recently being hosted by Wild Things Park in Washington. The two-day fest is headlined by A Day to Remember and The Story So Far on Saturday and The All-American Rejects and Something Corporate on Sunday.
June 30: Tyler Childers, SG Goodman, Adeem the Artist at the Pavilion at Star Lake
Kentucky singer Tyler Childers has a voice that goes from smooth to gravelly, with a “scuffed-up twang” and the “vocal equivalent of a cigarette, a glass of bourbon and a story that’s been passed down too many times to count.” His Pittsburgh stop on the Mule Pull ’24 tour has been sold out since last year.
July 12: Chris Stapleton, Marcus King, Nikki Lane at the Pavilion at Star Lake
Country star Chris Stapleton is bringing his All-American Road Show tour to Pittsburgh, with a smattering of tickets available. The 10-time Grammy winner is touring in support of his latest album, “Higher,” which came out last year.
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July 27: Def Leppard, Journey, Steve Miller Band at PNC Park
Two years after headlining a show at PNC Park alongside Motley Crue, Def Leppard is back for another Pittsburgh stadium show. The venerable English rockers are joined by Journey for a summer stadium tour that will feature plenty of hits from the 1970s through the 1990s.
July 29: Hozier at the Pavilion at Star Lake
Hozier, the Irish singer-songwriter known for songs like “Take Me to Church,” is bringing his Unreal Unearth tour for a sold-out show at Star Lake. Hozier, who released his “Unheard” EP in March, headlined last year’s WonderWorks Festival at Hartwood Acres.
Aug. 3: Creed, Three Doors Down, Finger Eleven at the Pavilion at Star Lake
The reunited Creed will be out on tour for the first time in 10 years, celebrating with the Summer of ‘99 tour. (Their hits “Higher” and “With Arms Wide Open” both came out that year.)
Aug. 15 & 18: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band at PPG Paints Arena
Bruce Springsteen, known for his epic and marathon shows, will be back for two nights in Pittsburgh, rescheduled from last year when he had health issues.
Sept. 1: Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, The Linda Lindas at PNC Park
Green Day, the pop punk veterans, will play 1994’s “Dookie” and 2004’s “American Idiot” in full on The Saviors tour. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band will also play other hits and tracks from their new album, “Saviors.”
Related
• 2024 Pittsburgh area concert calendar
Honorable mentions
June 15: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, JD McPherson at the Pavilion at Star Lake
June 16: Lionel Richie, Earth, Wind & Fire at PPG Paints Arena
July 2: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Domi + JD Beck at the Pavilion at Star Lake
July 13: Bret Michaels, Chris Janson, Don Felder, Dee Snider, Lou Gramm at the Pavilion at Star Lake
July 30: Jennifer Lopez at PPG Paints Arena
Sept. 3: Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Ministry, Filter at the Pavilion at Star Lake
Sept. 7: James Taylor & His All-Star Band at the Pavilion at Star Lake
Sept. 10: Jeff Lynne’s ELO at PPG Paints Arena
Sept. 14: Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Southern Avenue at the Pavilion at Star Lake
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Sept. 18: Pitbull, T-Pain at the Pavilion at Star Lake
Mike Palm is a TribLive digital producer who also writes music reviews and features. A Westmoreland County native, he joined the Trib in 2001, where he spent years on the sports copy desk, including serving as night sports editor. He has been with the multimedia staff since 2013. He can be reached at mpalm@triblive.com.