Rockin' the ’Burgh

Market Square will come alive this Friday when the first ever Iron City Sound Downtown Live! starts, kicking off a summer-long series of nighttime concerts.  This week, the one and only Joe Grushecky will take to the stage, only with the help of the City of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Pittsburgh Brewing Co.  Iron City Sound Downtown Live! will keep the Square in tune with legendary local performers as well as rising musical talents from the area.  As a great way to jump start your weekend, the Friday night concerts will keep the "heart of the city" humming throughout the night.


We promise you'll have a good time as you make your way to the front of the stage when Joe Grushecky brings his houserockin' band to the Square for this Friday's inaugural show.  The critics' favorite from the start, Grushecky's hard-driving, blue-collar brand of rock 'n' roll has earned him fans across the country, including a Jersey boy by the name of Bruce Springsteen.  Whether Joe and the Houserockers are "Pumping Iron" or crooning about a "Love So Tough," they're always true to their Steel City roots.  With a stage presence big enough to fill a stadium, Grushecky's shows still perform an upclose punch of an intimate show, just like down at "Junior's Bar."  The Long Time Darlings take the stage at 5 p.m. to warm up the crowd, while  Joe and his boys prove that rock is still alive in the ’Burgh around 6 p.m.

You won't have to search for that lost shaker of salt when you take a musical trip to Margaritaville with Tom Watt, who turns parrotheads around with his spot-on renditions of Jimmy Buffett classics. Though he may not be the son of a son of a sailor, Tom sails through the Buffett songbook with an ease that is sure to please the real deal's truest fans. Grab a cheeseburger from  one of the Square's eateries and find a bit of paradise right smack in the middle of Downtown  with the "Buffett Man" on July 13.

The city's very own soul man Billy Price gets to the roots of the rhythm on July 20. A true blues brother, when Billy wails about hard times and cheating hearts you can't help but smile. A mainstay on the Pittsburgh scene for decades, Billy takes a "Lickin' Stick" to the blues in a style that blends tradition with his own inimitable blue-eyed, East Coast delivery. Setting the stage for Billy and his band, Dream Job will open with the trio's unique indie folk rock sound.

Get ready to take off with Jeff Jimerson and Airborne. A high-flying act around the ’Burgh since the ’90s, Jeff lands his band in the Square on July 27. A mainstay at Penguins games singing the National Anthem, Jeff plays power-pop tunes that will have fans dancing in the streets around the Square. Getting things started on the right note will be Bear Cub, a local band that resonates with a sound reminiscent of the Avett Brothers and Josh Ritter.

While the headliner for August 3 is surely a surprise to all of us, opening act Danielle Barbe will perform songs from her debut album. A newcomer from what she calls a "small town south of the city," Danielle's already made a big splash with songs that can be heard on major network TV shows and at the movies.

Enjoy a little island escape with John McDonald and the Mango Men as the dog days of summer draw near.  The "trop rock" bank will be jammin' in the Square on August 10 with a refreshing mix of raggae, salsa, Latin and island infused sounds. Polished pros, the band has opened for the Beach Boys, Hall and Oates and other big name performers along the East Coast. Setting the tone for the evening, opening act Guaracha will spice up the evening with a lively mix of Cuban, merengue and other island sounds.

To close out the set on August 17, country act the Stickers will turn the Square into a high-energy, upbeat rock show you wouldn't even find on CMT!  These urban cowboys will have fans of all ages kicking up their heels to favorites such as "Girl in a Pickup Truck" and "She Don't Like a Thing" as these local faves bring a bit of Nashville to the Downtown Pittsburgh.

Mark your calendars for the rest of the summer today, and make sure you don't miss a single beat of this noteworthy Friday night concert series that will keep the Square rockin,' jammin,' and jivin' all summer long!