As live concerts regain their popularity, it's easy to get lost in all of the overly expensive and massive shows that go on in Pittsburgh at huge venues like PPG Paints, PNC Park, and the Pavilion at Star Lake. Wouldn’t you rather have a smaller and more personal musical experience? Here are some smaller shows happening that you have to check out.
The Mountain Goats - Thunderbird Café and Music Hall - December 10
For the past three decades, The Mountain Goats have been crafting powerful four-chord folk-pop ballads that tell deep personal stories and that make you want to scream along. Their live shows are always incredibly high-energy despite the age of their members, who are all middle-aged but can still get a crowd moving. They will be playing at the Thunderbird Café in Lawrenceville, a medium sized, bi-level venue that hosts acts year-round.
Full Body 2, They Are Gutting a Body of Water, Gaadge - Mr. Roboto Project - December 17
Modern shoegaze has been making a comeback after 90s bands like My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive have been going through a resurgence in indie culture. These three bands (Gaadge being the only Pittsburgh native band in the lineup) have been crafting noisy rock for the past couple of years and will be performing in the rather small and intimate Mr. Roboto Project.
Wednesday - Thunderbird Café and Music Hall - January 27
Do you want to listen to folk music that makes you wanna mosh? This five-piece band from Asheville, North Carolina have perfected noisy rock with folk roots since 2017, and their most recent album Rat Saw God is a true lyrical and musical masterpiece. They will also be playing at the Thunderbird.
Jeff Rosenstock - Mr. Smalls Theatre - April 1
Probably the most high energy act in this article, modern indie punk legend Jeff Rosenstock has been making melodic, lyrical, and grunge-y rock music for the past 20 years. On his newest record Hellmode he taps into exciting pop-punk that will definitely start a mosh pit. He will be performing at the long-standing Millvale venue Mr. Smalls Theatre.