10 Can't-Miss Fall Concerts Around Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA - After a spectacular summer in which superstar musical acts seemed to perform in Pittsburgh almost nightly, you might expect there to be a lull in quality concerts this fall.

There won’t be. In fact, autumn promises to bring several musicians and bands in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, although a few of those sadly will be making their final Pittsburgh appearances before retiring from live performing.

If you’re a fan of live music, here are 10 shows to catch while the leaves fall, the temperatures drop and the early Christmas sales begin:

• Outlaw Music Festival, Sept. 7, KeyBank Pavilion

Prepare for a lengthy evening with some legendary performers at the Burgettstown shed. On hand will be Willie Nelson & Family, Van Morrison, Sturgill Simpson, Brandi Carlile, Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real, Particle Kid and The Commonheart. Nelson is 85 and Morrison is 72 and there’s no knowing when they’ll appear in Pittsburgh again. Catch them while you can.

Outlaw Music Festival tickets start at $38.

• Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker, Sept. 8, KeyBank Pavilion

The country trio and former Hootie and the Blowfish singer have been co-headlining a summer tour. Lady Antebellum’s most recent album, “Heart Break,” was released in June 2017. Rucker’s most recent, “When Was The Last Time,” debuted in October 2017.

Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker tickets start at $24.

• Paul Simon, Sept. 17, PPG Paints Arena

The legendary singer/songwriter will perform one last date in Pittsburgh before retiring from the road.Simon, 76, began his final tour in May in Vancouver and is performing classics such as “America,” “Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard,” Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Still Crazy After All These Years.”
Simon's last Pittsburgh appearance was in 2004 with longtime performing partner Art Garfunkel. His last solo performance locally was in 2001.
Paul Simon tickets start at $47.45.

• Maroon 5, Sept. 29, PPG Paints Arena

The pop rock band brings the Red Pill Blues tour to town. Expect to hear smash hits such as "Moves Like Jagger," "Maps," "Animals," and What Lovers Do."
Maroon 5 tickets start at $62.65.

• Elton John, Oct. 15, PPG Paints Arena

John is bidding adieu to touring with by performing 300 shows, including a final stop in Pittsburgh on the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour..
John, 70, is the third most successful Billboard Hot 100 artist of all time based on sales totals for music released between 1958 and 2015, ranking behind only the Beatles and Madonna. He hasn't performed in Pittsburgh since March 2011, when he appeared with Leon Russell.
The concert is sold out, but you could try finding tickets from an online seller.

• Metallica, Oct. 18, PPG Paints Arena

Prepare to thrash, Pittsburgh. Metallica is coming to town for the first time in 14 years and just the second time in the past two decades. The metal kings are bringing their WorldWired tour to town.
Best known for songs such as "Enter Sandman," "Master of Puppets," and "Nothing Else Matters," Metallica last played Pittsburgh at the old Civic Arena in 2004.
Metallica tickets start at $123.

• Lindsey Buckingham, Oct. 18, Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead, Munhall

After being booted from Fleetwood Mac earlier this year, the singer-guitarist will be going head-to-head against his old bandmates on separate tours this fall. Buckingham is touring in support of a new compilation, “Solo Anthology - The Best of Lindsey Buckingham” to be released on Oct. 5. As the tour doesn’t begin until Oct. 7, how many Fleetwood Mac songs he’ll perform remains a mystery.

Lindsey Buckingham tickets start at $51.

• Alice Cooper, Oct. 26, Stage AE

The master of macabre will headline a special 102.5 WDVE-FM Halloween concert dubbed “A Paranormal Evening With Alice Cooper.” Even at age 70, expect an over-the-top performance from Cooper, as well as hits such as “No More Mister Nice Guy,” “I’m Eighteen,” and, of course, “School’s Out.” Also expect Cooper’s infamous guillotine and giant Frankenstein monster.

Alice Cooper tickets are $45.

• Fleetwood Mac, Nov. 1, PPG Paints Arena

Fleetwood Mac will have a revamped lineup when it comes to town. After parting ways with longtime singer/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham (who is performing here solo this fall, see above), the Mac added two musicians to replace him.

Neil Finn, formerly of Split Enz and Crowded House, and Mike Campbell, who previously performed in the late Tom Petty's band the Heartbreakers will join Fleetwood Mac veterans .
Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks. How will this lineup sound? Your guess is as good as ours.

Fleetwood Mac tickets start at $137.16.

• Josh Groban with Idina Menzel, Nov. 16, PPG Paints Arena

Groban, has entertained fans across the globe with his multi-platinum albums and DVDs (over 30 million sold worldwide), live performances, and comedic film and television appearances. The Tony Award-winning Menzel has had a diverse career in stage, film, television and music. Menzel's voice can be heard as Elsa in the Disney classic “Frozen,” in which she sings the film’s Oscar-winning song “Let It Go.”

Josh Groban-Idina Menzel tickets start at $89.50.

Elton John, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Alice Cooper and Fleetwood Mac photos via Shutterstock; Lady Antebellum, Maroon 5, Metallica, Lindsey Buckingham and Josh Groban photos via Getty Images.

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