Bright Lights & Country Music: My 2018 Live Shows
I did this last year, and it was a lot of fun. Basically, I’m going to run down the live shows I saw this year with a few words and maybe one or two pictures. It was a great year for live music, and Pittsburgh is blossoming nicely into a city that attracts more than just the big acts. Artists love coming here, and the crowds are often shown a level of appreciation I don’t see much in other parts of the country.
Remember, these artists are pouring their hearts and souls out every night on stage. Support them. Buy a ticket. Buy a t-shirt. Buy a koozie or sticker. A lot of what they do is for us.
Whiskey Myers
Jergels Rhythm Grille. Warrendale, PA.
January 25, 2018.
I started off 2018 by seeing one of the best damn bands in music 364 days after seeing them for the first time. It was sold out again, and they’re now going to be playing Stage AE in March, a significant step-up for the band in this market. Cody Cannon had a cold and was drinking tea instead of pounding whiskey shots, but the show was as good as ever. Whiskey Myers’ attitude is just unrivaled. It’s like they have a point to prove every time they walk out on stage.
Alan Jackson with Randy Houser
PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh, PA.
March 24, 2018.
My first country hero. And my first time seeing him. Words can’t do justice to what I felt seeing him walk out on stage for the first time. He’s a legend. And he delivered a warm, heartfelt performance.
The Cadillac Three
Jergels Rhythm Grille. Warrendale, PA.
April 26, 2018.
These guys just melt faces, and seeing them for a second time in an indoor venue made the show even better. Trust me, if TC3 was around in the 70s, they would’ve been worldwide rock stars.
Aaron Watson
Wild Things Park. Washington, PA.
May 19, 2018. Red Dirt Revival Series.
I’ll never forget this show because of the driving rainstorm right before Aaron’s set. I don’t know how the show went on, but it did. This was the first of the Red Dirt Revival Series, launched by local radio station Y108, to bring Texas artists up North for some shows in the area. It was a great set, and Watson told some awesome stories to go along with his music.
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Three Rivers Arts Festival. Pittsburgh, PA.
June 6, 2018.
Lukas and his band are the real deal. Insanely talented. Ridiculous skills on all instruments. And Lukas’ voice is unique with enough hint of his Dad to give it something extra. Cowboy, hippie, surf, cosmic rock and roll.
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Three Rivers Arts Festival. Pittsburgh, PA.
June 9, 2018.
It was pretty cool seeing Ricky Skaggs just a couple days after Lukas Nelson. I was basically seeing the past and present of country music within a week. Skaggs’ set was one of his bluegrass shows, something he spends 99% of his time doing now (though he will be playing some country shows in 2019). It was a lively set; all the pickers were on top of their games, and Ricky Skaggs was showing off one of the best voices in country.
LANCO, Brothers Osborne, and Dierks Bentley
KeyBank Pavilion. Burgettstown, PA.
June 15, 2018.
Dierks always puts on one of the best live shows in music. Like Eric Church, he gives every ounce of everything he has when he steps on stage. Brothers Osborne let their music do the talking, and I’m excited to see them play a full set next month. LANCO were unbelievable. I’ve never seen an opener for the opener connect with the audience like LANCO.
Jack Ingram with Koe Wetzel
Wild Things Park. Washington, PA.
July 28, 2018. Red Dirt Revival Series.
Koe showed off why he will be the next big thing in Texas Country with his brand of country rock. And Jack Ingram, damn, what can I say. This was the second time I’ve seen him, and he possesses an uncanny ability to connect with the audience no matter how big or small. He tells stories, makes jokes, and puts on a hell of a show.
Parmalee
Heinz Field. Pittsburgh, PA.
September 3, 2018. Rib Fest.
This wasn’t a show that I sought out, but a few of my friends and I were downtown for Rib Fest anyways so we decided to catch the free show. It wasn’t that memorable of a concert, but these guys certainly can rock.
Kip Moore with James Rodgers and The Wild Feathers
Stage AE. Pittsburgh, PA.
September 14, 2018.
The best show of the year. The Wild Feathers opened with their tight harmonies and beautiful, breezy country rock. Then Kip took the stage. If you know me, you know how much Kip’s music means to me, and if you’ve read my work or follow me on Twitter, you’re also familiar with how talented of a songwriter and performer he is as well. He took it to a whole new level this show. Kip played “Separate Ways,” my personal favorite, and broke out “Mary was the Marrying Kind” for the first time in a while. He also made it clear he wouldn’t be following the rules, playing a half hour past curfew for one of his longer sets of his career.
Steve Earle
Jergels Rhythm Grille. Warrendale, PA.
December 5, 2018.
One of the last shows on his 30th Anniversary Tour of Copperhead Road. This is a show I’ll never forget. The thing about going to a Steve Earle concert is knowing you’re going to get lots of stories and opinions thrown at you. Some I agree with, others I don’t. But he has a way of talking to the audience that makes it seem like you’re having a cup of coffee with him. It’s friendly and heartfelt without being overly preachy. Then you have the music. He was on top of his game, playing Copperhead Road in its entirety before throwing in classics like “Guitar Town” and “Someday” along with newer material from So You Wannabe an Outlaw.
Happy New Year, everyone! We’ll talk soon.
