Hot Summer, Cool Concerts: 10 Shows You Should See Around Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA - With Memorial Day and Independence Day in the rear-view mirror, you might be asking yourself, “Where is the summer going?” Wrong move. You should be asking yourself “Where should I be going?”

We have the answer.

Although summer seems to be flying, there are plenty of good concerts, both indoor and outdoor, that will occur before the kids go back to school and the Steelers begin playing. Here are 10 that stand out:

Echo and the Bunneymen, Violent Femmes, July 17, Stage AE
This show would be a perfect place for everyone who used to dance at the long-gone Upstage nightclub in Oakland during the early and mid-’80s to get reacquainted. Expect both bands to stick mostly to the hits that made them famous, such as “Bring on the Dancing Horses,” and “”Bedbugs and Ballyhoo” from the Bunnymen and “Blister in the Sun” and “Gone Daddy Gone” from the Femmes. Echo and the Bunnymen tickets cost $37.50.

One Republic, Fitz and the Tantrums, James Arthur, July 18, Key Bank Pavilion
The band that the English newspaper The Guardian labeled as purveyors of “catchy but anonymous pop” will bring catchy but anonymous pop songs such as “Counting Stars,” “The Good Life,” and “Stop and Stare” to town. You might recognize Fitz and the Tantrums (pictured above) sort-of hits like “The Walker” or “Handclap,” or maybe not. James Arthur is known more for his homophobic lyrics than his hits, but he’ll probably only be onstage for 15 minutes anyway. One Republic tickets start at $25.

Boston, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Hyperspace Tour, July 28 Key Bank Pavilion
Since most of the band’s hits occurred around 40 years ago, Boston will have to ignore the advice it gave on the title track of its second album - “Don’t Look Back” - and play the songs people want to hear. We’re talking classic rock radio staples such as “More than a Feeling” “Long Time” and “Peace of Mind.” Likewise, expect Jett to play the staples for which she is known: “I Love Rock and Roll,” “Crimson and Clover” and “Bad Reputation.” Boston-Joan Jett tickets start at $30.

Social Distortion, Aug. 3, Stage AE
Twenty-seven years after the release of their first album, this iconic California punk band bring their hardcore sound to the North Shore. They haven’t released a new album in six years, so it wouldn’t be surprising to hear cuts that made them famous, such as “Ball and Chain,” “Story of my Life,” and their classic cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” Social Distortion tickets start at $36.

Nickelback Aug. 7, Key Bank Pavilion
Here’s something we’ve never understood: Nickelback is one of the most critically reviled bands in rock history. Virtually no one seems to admit to being fans of their music. But for years they tour and fill places like the 23,000-seat Key Bank Pavilion. We can only conclude that many of you download their music privately and sing along to “How You Remind Me” in your underwear when no one is home. Nickelback will be touring in support of its just-released ninth album, “Feed the Machine.” Nickelback tickets start at $25.

Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience, Aug. 12, Key Bank Pavilion
Don’t be surprised if you run into Ashton Kutcher on the lawn, as this would be the perfect place for a “That ‘70’s Show” cast reunion. Expect to hear Foreigner’s “Feels Like The First Time,” and “I Want To Know What Love Is,” Cheap Trick’s “Surrender,” and “I Want You To Want Me” and a bunch of Led Zeppelin covers led by the son of the late Zep drummer John “Bonzo” Bonham. We’re all all right! We’re all all right! Foreigner Tickets start at $21.

Gov’t Mule with special guest Galactic, Aug. 13, Stage AE
This southern rock jam band began in 1994 as a side project of guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody of The Allman Brothers Band. In the 22 years since their debut album, they’ve become a staple at music festivals across the country. Expect to hear plenty of songs from their latest album, “Revolution Come...Revolution Go,” which was released last month. Gov’t Mule tickets are $32.50.

Florida Georgia Line, Aug. 19, Key Bank Pavilion

Amazing how successful this country duo has become considering their lyrically complex songs focus primarily on the evolution of the human condition via drinking, driving trucks and encounters with girls.Expect vocalists Brian Kelley (from Florida) and Tyler Hubbard (from - surprise! - Georgia) to sing many cuts from their 2016 album “Dig Your Roots.” Florida Georgia Line tickets start at $42.

Bruno Mars, Aug. 22, PPG Paints Arena
The Super Bowl 50 halftime performer is touring behind his most recent album, last year’s “24K Magic,” which had two Top 10 hits - the title track and “That’s What I Like,” Here’s a local connection you probably didn’t realize existed: In an old GQ interview, Mars (real name Peter Hernandez) nicknamed him Bruno after legendary Pittsburgh wrestler Bruno Sammartino. Is it too much to dream of the two Brunos sharing the stage for a song? The concert is sold out and the cheapest Bruno Mars resale tickets we could find online were (gulp) $207.

Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, the Edgar Winter Group, Sept. 1, Key Bank Pavilion.
You might as well call this show Seniorpalooza. Deep Purple lead singer Ian Gillan is 71, Edgar Winter is 70 and Alice Cooper is 69.If you’ve listened to a rock radio station pretty much any time during the past four decades, you know the music of these acts. The show starts at 6:30 p.m., probably because most of the folks in these bands - as well as most of the probable audience for this concert - are of an age where they’re usually fast asleep by 9 p.m. or so. Deep Purple tickets start at $28.

Featured photo by Peter Alfred Hess. Echo and the Bunnymen photo by Juan Bendana; Fitz and the Tantrums photo by Kris Krug; Joan Jett photo by Focka; Social Distortion photo by Ed Vill; Nickelback photo by Angela Dietrich; Foreigner photo by Nick Ares; Gov't Mule photo by Jim Pennucci; Florida Georgia Line photo by Lunchbox LP; Bruno Mars photo by Brothers Le; Deep Purple photo by Anneke_B. All photos via Creative Commons.