August concert preview: Springsteen, Childish Gambino, Slipknot, Primus and more
By Scott Mervis / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
It’s a long-time-no-see August, bringing with it the first shows in more than five years from Bruce Springsteen, Childish Gambino and Creed — plus a variety of R&B, country, pop, reggae and metal (masked and otherwise).
Micky Dolenz
(Aug. 2, South Park Amphitheater)
He wasn’t just the wacky drummer for everyone’s favorite TV show band, The Monkees. Micky sang “I’m a Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and other hits, which he’ll perform for free as part of the Allegheny County Concert Series.
Dan + Shay
(Aug. 2, The Pavilion at Star Lake)
Last in the Pittsburgh area to open for Kenny Chesney at Acrisure Stadium in 2022, the three-time Grammy-winning duo of Wexford native Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney stops on the Heartbreak On The Map Tour, supporting fifth album “Bigger Houses.” They’ll be joined by Jake Owen and Dylan Marlowe.
The Commodores/The Spinners
(Aug. 2, Rivers Casino Events Center)
”Brick House,” “Sail On,” “Then Came You” and “I’ll Be Around” will be among the timeless hits played when these ’70s R&B legends take over the casino. The Commodores, which drew one of the biggest crowds ever to Point State Park back in the early ‘80s, were the launching band for the career of Lionel Richie.
Creed
(Aug. 3, The Pavilion at Star Lake)
Thought they were dead and buried? Nope. Creed is back on the strength of “Higher” becoming a jock jam for the Texas Rangers, Kirk Cousins and the Super Bowl. They bring along 3 Doors Down and Finger Eleven.
Slipknot
(Aug. 7, The Pavilion at Star Lake)
On the Here Comes the Pain Tour, the masked metal crusaders from Iowa treat the maggots to a 25th anniversary celebration of their 1999 self-titled debut as well as the debut of new drummer Eloy Casagrande. Knocked Loose opens.
Primus/Coheed and Cambria
(Aug. 8, Stage AE)
On their last trip to Pittsburgh, in 2021, Primus was saluting Rush, playing the latter’s “A Farewell to Kings” album in full. This time, it’s an anything-goes set from the funk-metal band which hasn’t updated the catalog since 2017’s “The Desaturating Seven.” Coheed, which has long been compared to Rush, is two years removed from releasing 10th album “Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind.”
Jason Aldean
(Aug. 10, The Pavilion at Star Lake)
The country-rocker who sat with Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention and drew the ire of the left with his hit “Try That in Small Town” arrives on the tour for 11th album “Highway Desperado.” The openers are Lauren Alaina, Chase Matthew, Austin Snell and Dee Jay Silver.
Rock, Reggae & Relief
(Aug. 10, Stage AE)
Normally held on the street near Market Square, the annual concert presented by the Piatt Family Foundation moves to Stage AE with Dirty Heads, The Movement, The Elovaters, Third World, Roots of Creation and Fubar. It will raise money for Pittsburgh Scholar House, a social impact organization disrupting the cycle of poverty for single parents and their children.
Imagine Dragons
(Aug. 14, The Pavilion at Star Lake)
A lot of people thought this band might be done after “Radioactive.” Instead, the Las Vegas group led by Dan Reynolds keeps bringing the thunder, most recently with sixth album “LOOM” and the hits.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
(Aug. 15 & 18, PPG Paints Arena)
It’s been eight years since The Boss played here, by far the longest stretch of his career, dating back to 1973, without a Pittsburgh show. He’s a robust 74, but given his style of showmanship, there’s no telling if he has another tour in him.
Skullfest 14
(Aug. 15-18, multiple venues)
Subhumans, Resist and Exist, Meanwhile and The Chameleons are among the marquee bands for this unique hardcore punk/metal festival invading Spirit, Thunderbird, Cattivo, Prevention Point and The Courts. More details are available at skullfestpunk.com.
Tedeschi Trucks Band
(Aug. 17, The Pavilion at Star Lake)
Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, arguably the best husband-wife combo in the business, bring their 12-piece band back to Star Lake on the Deuces Wild tour, still supporting the four-part album “I Am the Moon.” They are joined by alt-country artist Margo Price.
The Doobie Brothers
(Aug. 20, The Pavilion at Star Lake)
It seemed like it might just last for one tour. However, Michael McDonald, who signed on for the 50th anniversary tour in 2020 (which finally made it here in ‘22), is back with the beloved classic-rock band. So is founder Tom Johnston, who missed some shows last year due to back surgery. All together, the Doobies are still a force.
Childish Gambino
(Aug. 20, PPG Paints Arena)
The last time Donald Glover was here in 2012 at Stage AE, he was still playing Troy Barnes on “Community” and had just released his debut album, “Camp.” Since then the rapper has gone to the top of the charts with the earthshaking hit “This is America” and has released four more albums, including the brand new “Bando Stone & the New World.”
Melissa Etheridge
(Aug. 28, Stage AE)
The singer-songwriter behind such hits as “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window” plays the Women Who Rock show benefiting Magee-Womens Research Institute with DJ Femi.
Cage the Elephant
(Aug. 29, The Pavilion at Star Lake)
The last time the alt-rock band from Kentucky played Star Lake, it was opening for Stone Temple Pilots (with Scott Weiland) back in 2010. Cage, best known for the singles "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" and “Come a Little Closer,” returns to headline, touring behind its sixth album, “Neon Pill.” They are joined by Young The Giant and Bakar.
Also in August
Aug. 1: Cults/Bnny at Mr. Smalls Theatre
Aug. 1-2: Chrisette Michele at City Winery Pittsburgh
Aug. 2: Lucky Dave at the Roxian Theatre
Aug. 3: David Nail at Highmark Stadium
Aug. 3: Eric Johnson at the Palace Theatre
Aug. 3: Tab Benoit/Anders Osborne/Larry McCray at Jergel’s
Aug. 4: Karyn White at City Winery Pittsburgh
Aug. 4: Anees at Hartwood Acres
Aug. 5: Chevelle/Tigercub at Stage AE
Aug. 5: Corinne Bailey Rae at the Oaks Theater
Aug. 6: John Sebastian/Jimmy Vivino at City Winery Pittsburgh
Aug. 7: Iration/Pepper at Stage AE
Aug. 7: Sugaray Rayford/Miss Freddye’s Blues Band at Jergel’s
Aug. 8: The Juliana Theory at Spirit Hall
Aug. 8: Save Ferris/The Sneaky Heat Missiles at Jergel’s
Aug. 8: Rebirth Brass Band at Original Pittsburgh Winery
Aug. 10: Shaggy at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows
Aug. 11: The Struts/Barns Courtney at Stage AE
Aug. 11: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone at the Lamp Theatre
Aug. 12: Lindsey Stirling at Stage AE
Aug. 14: Sublime with Rome//Fortunate Youth/Sitting on Stacy at Stage AE
Aug. 15: The Surfrajettes at Hard Rock Cafe
Aug. 15: Midge Ure at Jergel’s
Aug. 16: Kidz Bop Live at The Pavilion at Star Lake
Aug. 16: Maddie & Tae/Anna Vaus at Roxian Theatre
Aug. 16: James McMurtry at South Park Amphitheater
Aug. 17: Steel City Ska Fest w/ Mustard Plug, Pilfers, Lady Hatchet, more at Spirit Hall
Aug. 18: Vivian Green at City Winery Pittsburgh
Aug. 19: The Script at Stage AE
Aug. 19: Kris Allen at City Winery Pittsburgh
Aug. 20-21: Marc Cohn at City Winery Pittsburgh
Aug. 20: ZZ Top at 1st Summit Arena
Aug. 21: Dweezil Zappa at the Roxian Theatre
Aug. 22: French Montana/Fabolous/Fivio Foreign at Stage AE
Aug. 22: Eli Young Band/Amanda James at Jergel’s
Aug. 23: Koe Wetzel at Stage AE
Aug. 24: mike. at Stage AE
Aug. 24: The Gaslight Anthem/Joyce Manor/Pinkshift at Roxian Theatre
Aug. 25: Tyler Hilton at City Winery Pittsburgh
Aug. 26: Waxahatchee/Tre Burt at Carnegie Music Hall
Aug. 30: Built to Spill at Mr. Smalls
Aug. 30: Living Colour/Nash.V.Ill at Crafthouse
Aug. 30: The 502s/Max McNown at Roxian Theatre
Aug. 31: King Buzzo & Trevor Dunn/JD Pinkus at Thunderbird Music Hall