Can't Miss Concerts in Pittsburgh in June
This month's lineup includes Ariana Grande, Hiss Golden Messenger and a full slate at the Three Rivers Arts Festival.
Photo courtesy republic records
June 12
Ariana Grande
Yeah, brunch at an outdoor cafe in the sunshine,
Movies at Schenley and bike rides at nighttime
Open Streets weekends and pool pass key rings,
Summer in Pittsburgh, my favorite thing.
Frick Park, I’m hiking. Iron City, I’m Mango Lightin’
Sure, all that humidity? My hair is fightin’
Ari tickets? Gee thanks, just bought them.
You see it*, you like it**, you want it***, You got it****
*The June issue of Pittsburgh Magazine
**This incredible reimagining of Ariana Grande’s “7 rings”
***Tickets to see Ariana perform at PPG Paints Arena on June 12.
****OK, that’s really up to you, but I highly recommend!
UPTOWN: PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave.
412/642-1800, ppgpaintsarena.com
June 6
Hiss Golden Messenger
One of the most perfect experiences in life is the finding of an essential song. A song that no matter how simple, or narrow in scope, is the complete encapsulation of a feeling. It’s a personal, minute experience, and one I’ve been lucky to have a handful of times with Hiss Golden Messenger songs in the last few years. And while you may not have that same perfect experience as I, going through his catalogue will be a treat regardless — his work is inventive, skillful and prismatic, throwing shards of sonic color across the room in a way that captivates you *just so*.
MILLVALE: Mr. Smalls, 400 Lincoln Ave.
412/821-4447, mrsmalls.com
June 6-9
PSO Presents: Beethoven’s Ninth
If you’ve somehow gone through the 2018-19 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra season without making it to Heinz Hall, there are still a few opportunities to check in, including this four-night run of Beethoven’s absolute banger, “Symphony No. 9.” Although there’s no recorded evidence, given that “Ode to Joy” was first performed in May, it’s no real stretch of the imagination to assume that it was the Summer Jam of 1824. Manfred Honeck will be conducting the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh in addition to the PSO for this performance.
DOWNTOWN: Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave.
412/392-4900, pittsburghsymphony.org
Photo by michael benabib
That's my JAM.
The Unofficial Start of Summer, the Three Rivers Arts Festival, returns June 7-16.
Stock those pic-a-nic baskets and furl those blankets in preparation to unfurl them at the city’s massive annual music and arts festival. This year, Point State Park will be graced by a diverse group of artists, including some big familiar names and some acts you’ll be pleased to encounter for the first time.
Opening the festival is candescent R&B star India.Arie (Pictured; June 7); other big names include Lucius (June 13), who performed at the fest in 2013, country star Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives (June 8), fun funk-sters Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe (June 11), Too Many Zooz, and Tank and the Bangas (both June 14).
Photo courtesy yep roc records
There’s a big focus on folk this year, with acts on the Americana end such as banjo star Kaia Kater (June 12), acoustic duo Mandolin Orange (pictured) and North Carolina’s Mipso, both taking the stage June 15; on the poppier side, you’ll find The Teskey Brothers (June 9), Parsonsfield (June 15) and Nahko and Medicine for the People (June 9).
More info and a complete schedule can be found at traf.trustarts.org.
