If you dig down here a little, there’s a surprise show that came out of nowhere. Hint: It’s on Saturday afternoon.
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TUESDAY
Bob Mould (Mr. Smalls, Sept. 21): It’s always a no-holds-barred affair when the hardcore pioneer behind Husker Du and Sugar sets up in Millvale with his trio. That’s all he needs, of course, is a trio create a wall of dissonant sound. This tour supports his hot-blooded 14th solo album, “Blue Hearts,” which he described as “the catchiest batch of protest songs I've ever written in one sitting.” With Kestrels. 8 p.m. $30; mrsmalls.com.
Bela Fleck (Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall): From “Blue Hearts” to “My Bluegrass Heart.” The 15-time Grammy winner is on the road with his first bluegrass album in more than 20 years and one that is considered the third chapter in a trilogy with 1988's “Drive” and 1999’s “The Bluegrass Sessions.” “They nearly always come back. All the people that leave bluegrass,” Fleck said. “I had a strong feeling that I’d be coming back as well.” He’ll be joined by Michael Cleveland, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz and Bryan Sutton. 8 p.m. $44.75-$69.$75; druskyentertainment.com.
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WEDNESDAY
Badflower (Stage AE): “If you like this band, you’ve got to be ready for some degree of cringiness,” Josh Katz told ABC Audio. And you’ve got to be ready for a raw and highly emotional performance from the frontman of this band that debuted two years ago with “OK I’m Sick” and is about to drop the follow-up, “This is How the World Ends.” With Teenage Wrist, Dead Poet Society. 6 p.m. doors. $27.50; axs.com.
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THURSDAY
Dawes (Roxian, POSTPONED UNTIL OCT. 28): The LA band that emerged a decade ago with a Laurel Canyon folk-rock sound pulls into the Roxian, touring behind seventh album “Good Luck With Whatever,” which they made the old-fashioned way by gathering in one room and recording live to tape. With Erin Rae. $27.50; ticketmaster.com.
Middle Kids (Mr. Smalls): New mom Hannah Joy leads this dynamic Australian alt-rock trio that debuted in 2018 with the acclaimed “Lost Friends.” This time, they back a sophomore album “Today We're The Greatest,” produced by Lars Stalfors (St. Vincent, Soccer Mommy, Cold War Kids), that balances quiet reflection with driving pop-rock. With Joe P. 8 p.m. $18/$20; mrsmalls.com.
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FRIDAY
Chris Stapleton (The Pavilion at Star Lake): The new outlaw country doesn’t get any better than this stud from Kentucky, who hits Burgettstown sporting soulful pipes and blazing guitar chops. The five-time Grammy winner, who last performed at Star Lake in August 2019, returns on a tour supporting his fourth album, “Starting Over,” which won the Academy of Country Music award for album of the year. With Margo Price and Kendall Marvel. 7 p.m. $39.75; livenation.com.
Code Orange (Roxian): Having written the script for the pandemic-era livestream, the Pittsburgh metalcore band finally gets to play that live show in McKees Rocks — to real people -—for fourth album “Underneath.” This will be Pittsburgh’s first look, in the flesh, at drummer Jami Morgan as frontman. Should be insane. 5 p.m. $26; livenation.com.
The Goddamn Gallows (Preserving Underground): The Michigan band makes use of banjos, fiddles, mandolins and accordions along with electric guitar in its boozy “hobocore” sound, blending punk, metal, bluegrass, Americana, Celtic and more. 6:30 p.m. $16/$20; druskyentertainment.com.
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SATURDAY
Alabama (PPG Paints Arena): The group that changed the face of country music in the ‘80s by giving it some pop flash and showmanship, brings its 50th anniversary tour to Uptown. Randy Owen and cousin Teddy Gentry front the band, which is touring without their other cousin, guitarist-fiddler Jeff Cook, who is struggling with Parkinson’s. 7 p.m. $59.50; ticketmaster.com.
Orville Peck (Roxian): For a completely different take on country, check out this masked, anonymous singer, who has the rare ability to channel the likes of Roy Orbison, Chris Isaak and Elvis. Before finishing October opening for Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden, he visits McKees Rocks backing his debut album, “Pony,” and follow-up EP, “Show Pony.” 7 p.m. $38; ticketmaster.com.
Portugal. The Man/Brittany Howard (Public Lands): Wait. What, who, where? Yes, The Public Lands store in Cranberry has booked a pair of high-profile acts for its grand opening weekend celebration. For free, you get the Grammy-winning Portland, Ore., band that gave us the hipster anthem “Feel It Still” along with the soulful frontwoman of the Grammy-winning Alabama Shakes. 3 p.m. Also on the bill that day are Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers, INEZ and The Bleepy Thing. Go to publiclands.com for the full schedule.
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SUNDAY
The Mavericks (Byham Theater): Just try to sit still when this legendary Tex-Mex unit sets up in this little theater. Raul Malo, one of the greatest singers ever, leads the Mavs into town touring behind the band’s first Spanish-language album, “En Español.” 8 p.m. $54.25-$74.25; trustarts.org.
The Allman Betts Band (Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall): Devon Allman and Duane Betts (the sons of Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts) carry on the family legacy in this Southern rock band that also features Berry Duane Oakley (son of Berry Oakley). Last year, they released “Bless Your Heart,” which Allman described as the sound of “a band that’s having a love affair with being a band.” With The Derek Woods Band at 8 p.m. $39.75-$59.75; druskyentertainment.com.
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OTHER SHOWS
Baja Bar & Grill, Fox Chapel: Dancing Queen at 8 p.m. Saturday (free); bajabargrill.com.
Club Cafe, South Side: Anne Eliza/Dylan Reynolds/Mikey DeLuca at 8 p.m. Thursday ($10); TV’s Norm/Barlow/Sleeping Witch & Saturn at 8 p.m. Friday ($8); Bill Toms and Hard Rain/Pierce Dipner and the Shades of Blue at 8 p.m. Saturday ($14); clubcafelive.com.
Crafthouse Stage & Grill, Whitehall: Dillon Carmichael at 8 p.m. Thursday ($13/$15); Old Skool at 8 p.m. Friday ($7); Queen Flash at 9 p.m. Saturday ($25/$28; Myles Kennedy at 7 p.m. Sunday ($32/$35); crafthousepgh.com.
The Government Center, North Side: Melt/Stupid Head/Different Places in Space at 7 p.m. Friday ($5); thegovernmentcenter.com
Hard Rock Cafe, Station Square: Southern Accents: A Tribute to Tom Petty at 8 p.m. Saturday ($13/$15); druskyentertainment.com.
Irma Freeman Center for the Imagination, Garfield: Majel Connery/Sky Creature/Take Me With You at 8 p.m. Thursday ($12/$15); brownpapertickets.com.
Jergels, Marshall: Colt Ford at 8 p.m. Thursday ($26); Lez Zeppelin at 8 p.m. Friday ($25/$27); Laine Hardy at 8 p.m. Saturday ($30/$33); Bowling for Soup at 8 p.m. Sunday ($22/$25); jergels.com.
MCG Jazz, North Side: The Yellowjackets at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; mcgjazz.org.
Meadows Casino, Washington: Phil Vassar at 8 p.m. Saturday ($20); meadowsgaming.com.
Mr. Smalls, Millvale: Middle Kids/Joe P at 8 p.m. Thursday ($18); Microwaves/T-Tops/TRVSS/Tough Cuffs at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the Funhouse ($8); Flower Crown/Natural Rat/Tyler Heaven & Care Package at 8 p.m. Saturday ($10); mrsmalls.com.
Ormsby Avenue Cafe, Mt. Oliver: Colin and the Crows/Erin Incoherent/ Adam Fitz at 7 p.m. Thursday ($7); Daikaiju/Weird Paul Rock Band/God Hates Unicorns at 5 p.m. Sunday ($10); facebook.com/OrmsbyAvenueCafe.
Preserving Underground, New Kensington: The Goddamn Gallows at 6:30 p.m. Friday ($16/$20); America Part Two/Salvage the Tongue at 6:30 p.m. Saturday ($10/$12); Signs of the Swarm/Worm Sheppard/Feast on the Fallen, The Breathing Process at 6:30 p.m. Sunday ($13/$15); eventbrite.com.
Rivers Casino, North Shore: No Bad JuJu at 9 p.m. Friday; Chris Higbee at 9 p.m. Saturday in Drum Bar (free); riverscasino.com.
Roxian, McKees Rocks: Dawes/Erin Rae at 7:30 p.m. Friday ($27.50); ticketmaster.com.
Spirit, Lawrenceville: Diamond Life/Jesley Snipes/DZ Party Time at 9 p.m. Friday ($5); spiritpgh.com.
Syria Shrine Center, Cheswick: Tina Daniels Band/Heidi and the Hellcats at 6:30 p.m. Sunday ($15); syriashriners.org.
Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall, Lawrenceville: RDGLDGRN at 7 p.m. Thursday ($17-$27); David Cook at 8 p.m. Friday ($25-$50); Al and Rob (of moe.) at 7 p.m. Saturday ($25-$35); thunderbirdmusichall.com.
Vinoski Winery, Rostraver: Artistree at 6:30 p.m. Friday (free); George Michael Reborn at 6 p.m. Saturday ($10/$12); vinoskiwinery.com.
First Published: September 21, 2021, 3:07 p.m.
Updated: September 21, 2021, 3:41 p.m.
