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You've Arrived, Now What?: The Pittsburgh Community: Live Music
In the April 2004 issue of Esquire Magazine, Pittsburgh was rated #1 in the article "Cities That Rock: A Guide to the 10 best cities for seeing and hearing music." If you've ever browsed the City Paper you know we have a lot to offer, and if you haven't spent a night on the town listening to great local bands or famous songwriters, this is your chance. Pittsburgh Rocks.
Many thought the live music scene would die with the closings of Rosebud, Metropol and The Attic/Club Laga but other venues have picked up where they left off. Mr. Small's Theater is located in Millvale at 400 Lincoln Ave. in a renovated church. The acts range from local bands to national tours (Rusted Root, Ryan Adams, Orgy, John Hiatt, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic).
Close to campus you have the Calliope Concert Series, Pittsburgh's Folk Music Society. All shows are in the Carnegie Lecture Hall behind the Carnegie Library. The seating is intimate and ticket prices are very reasonable for a night of great folk music, story-telling and up close conversations with the musicians. Past performers include Gillian Welch, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Rani Arbo.
The Guitar Society of Fine Art not only has workshops for guitar players of all ages and talents, they showcase some of the best guitar players in the world in their concert series. Most shows are in the PNC Recital Hall at Duquesne University or Synod Hall on the Pitt Campus in Oakland. The shows are intimate with a chance to speak to the musicians during and after the shows. Past performers include Pat Metheny, Richard Smith and Marija Temo.
The South Side is home to many venues for live music.
Club Café is open 6 days a week for live music including an open mike night. Past performers include, Dave Pahanish (local musician), Jill Sobule, the Clarks (local band), and Marshall Crenshaw. The music ranges from folk to country and rock to jazz. Seating is limited and popular shows sell out fast.
Rex Theater has been in Pittsburgh for more than 90 years and books all types of bands and musicians for shows (Sarah Harmer, Dick Dale, Graham Parker, Todd Rundgren). They also have 2 grand pianos for jazz and open mike nights (Monday nights). The concert area holds around 300-400 people.
Blues Café showcases blues and jazz artists 7 nights a week. It can get crowded when favorite bands are in town but well worth it. An added plus, if the music makes you hungry, Blues Café is linked to Primanti Bros and you can order a sandwich from the bar without leaving your seat.
Piper's Pub showcases British and Irish music but you have to check their web site for shows. The bar is small and gets crowded on the weekends but for a good pint of Guinness, some music and the company of friends it's not a bad place to be.
The Strip District was silenced a bit with the closings of Rosebud and Metropol but you can still catch Irish ballads and sing-a-longs, contemporary Celtic rock and traditional Irish music at Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle. Sit down for a great dinner, lots of beer and great music. 31st Street Pub caters to rock and punk with such as The White Stripes, Boss Hog, Lynyrd Skynyrd and $2.00 Guitar (ex-members of Sonic Youth). They're closed Mondays but packed the other 6 days of the week.
Station Square is located across the rivers from Heinz Field and Downtown and is home to the Hard Rock Café, which has great food, music memorabilia and live music. Everyone from local to national tours stops in for a few songs—sometimes unannounced. The Rock Club (formerly Jungle Rock) is now a rock venue for live music with such acts as The Strokes, Tesla and the Darkness. If you want to get in on the act, Red Star Tavern has dueling pianos every Thursday night. Sing-a-long, eat a meal and have a blast.
Downtown is home to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust where you can listen to rock, folk, classical and broadway all in one of the city's restores theatres. Byham Theater is a classic theater for national tours. The theater is small and intimate and not a bad seat in the house. Past performers include Emmylou Harris, Sigur Ros, Indigo Girls and David Byrne from Talking Heads. The Benedum is home to PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Opera. If you're in the mood for jazz and salsa, try Dowe's on 9th. Owed by Etta Cox and Al Dowe, they bring in local acts and national artists for an intimate evening of dancing, music and dinner. Mellon Arena is home to the Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey franchise and a regular stop for national tours. It was originally built to house the Civic Light Opera in 1961 but has found a home for such acts as The Dixie Chicks, Frank Sinatra, Britney Spears, the Rolling Stones and Garth Brooks when they stop in Pittsburgh.
If you're willing to drive a bit, Post-Gazette Pavilion at Star Lake is located near Burgettstown. The large national tours such as Dave Matthews Band, Lollapalooza, Toby Keith and Aerosmith call the amphitheater home for a night or a few days. Post-Gazette Pavilion is open through the summer and an all-weather venue. If rain is in the forecast (in Pittsburgh it usually is) it is best to bring a rain poncho (umbrellas are prohibited). Tickets can get expensive (Ticketmaster convenience delivery and charges can add up) but the shows are worth the drive and the money. Pepsi-Cola Roadhouse is located down the road in Burgettstown and open year round. The acts are local and national tours with a country and folk feel. Past performers are Kenny Rogers, the Clarks, Sammy Kershaw and George Jones. The shows are intimate and all seats are great. You can also have dinner before the show.
The Music School at Pitt sponsors a multitude of concerts by faculty and students throughout the year in a wide variety of music styles. Pitt students can usually get discounted or even free admission to these concerts.