Pittsburgh's Can't Miss Concerts in October
This month's lineup includes Courtney Barnett, Alice Cooper and Sir Elton John.
photo by Pooneh ghana
Come gather round the fire, guys and GHOULS. The solstice has passed and we are now in the crisp and pumpkin-filled month of October, where the veil between ours and the spirit world is thinner, and the streets are filled with firelight, ethereal beings and 20-somethings dressed as sexy Minions. For your delight and terror, why not try haunting one of these excellent concerts:
Oct. 19/ Sometimes, it feels as if there are few things as ghastly and scream-inducing as being a woman in 2018. These commonplace horrors are on full display in Courtney Barnett’s witty indie rock. Barnett, known for her deadpan delivery and forthright sound, takes on topics like difficult relationships (screams), not living up to expectations (gnashes teeth), performing emotional labor (howls at moon), and misogyny (turns fully into wolf), including from the internet (runs into village to terrorize the trolls). (Stage AE, 400 North Shore Drive, North Shore; 412/229-5483, promowestlive.com)
photo by Rob Fenn, courtesy earMUSIC
Oct. 26/ The title of A Paranormal Evening with Alice Cooper says enough to draw all of the little spirits to Stage AE for the DVE Halloween Party. There is perhaps no better grand marshal for a terrifying celebration than the nightmarish showman known for presiding over festivals of blood, gore, putridity and big, big snakes. If you’re worthy, join the “Godfather of Shock Rock” for a night of horror, but like, the fun kind. Fun fact: Cooper is also known for his stunning cameo appearance in “Wayne’s World,” and incidentally my Halloween costume this year is a “Wayne’s World” couple’s costume — but both of us are Garth. (Stage AE, 400 North Shore Drive, North Shore; 412/229-5483, promowestlive.com)
Oct. 10/ Don't be scared if you couldn't snag tickets to Sir Elton John’s October performance in Pittsburgh. The Pop megastar begins a three-year Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour this fall that include stops in the 'Burgh this month and in Nov. of 2019. –– punctuating the end of his half-century of performing on the road. (PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown; 412/642-1800, ppgpaintsarena.com)
Oct. 12-14/ When it comes to blood-curdling, hair-raising, bone-jellying movie scores, there are few Hollywood collaborations that will make you scream in both delight and terror as much as those of composer Danny Elfman and filmmaker Tim Burton. Join the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton for some of the most iconic — and eerie — pieces from the likes of “Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “Batman” and, naturally, “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” BOO-nus: The PSO will also be playing a live score to accompany a showing of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Oct. 18. (Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave., Downtown; 412/392-4900, pittsburghsymphony.org)
Maxwell — Heinz Hall, pittsburghsymphony.org Oct. 2
Scott Blasey — Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, jergels.com Oct. 3
Valley Queen — Club Cafe, clubcafelive.com Oct. 4
Bernstein in Pittsburgh — Heinz Hall, pittsburghsymphony.org Oct. 5-7
Kurt Elling — Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, mcgjazz.org Oct. 6
Steely Dan — Heinz Hall, pittsburghsymphony.org Oct. 8
Essex Green with The Garment District — The Andy Warhol Museum, warhol.org Oct. 11
Great Lake Swimmers — Club Cafe, clubcafelive.com Oct. 12
Dark Star Orchestra — Stage AE, promowestlive.com Oct. 12
Pokey LaFarge — Rex Theater, rextheater.net Oct. 13
Electric Six — Club Cafe, clubcafelive.com Oct. 14
Murder By Death — Mr. Smalls, mrsmalls.com Oct. 16
Verite — The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, mrsmalls.com Oct. 17
Metallica — PPG Paints Arena, ppgpaintsarena.com Oct. 18
Swearin — Smiling Moose, smiling-moose.com Oct. 19
Faith Evans — August Wilson Center, trustarts.org Oct. 20
Jenny Wilson Trio — City of Asylum, alphabetcity.org Oct. 21
Hippo Campus — Stage AE, promowestlive.com Oct. 22
Minus the Bear — Mr. Smalls, mrsmalls.com Oct. 23
The Temptations — The Palace Theatre, thepalacetheatre.org Oct. 25
Violent Femmes — Mr. Smalls, mrsmalls.com Oct. 26
Soul of the Cello with Maximilian Hornung — Heinz Hall, pittsburghsymphony.org Oct. 27
Pond — Mr. Smalls, mrsmalls.com Oct. 30
