Staff picks: finding the city’s best music venues
By TPN Staff
May 31, 2016
Pittsburgh attracts a variety of bands and musicians — from acts touring on a global scale to the nearby talent of its thriving independent music scene. We know you’ve heard about Queen Bey and the Biebs making stops in the Steel City this summer, but living in a mid-sized city means even your f...
Earl Sweatshirt brought somber tunes and militant stage banter to Mr. Smalls
By Nick Mullen / For The Pitt News
April 6, 2015
Earl Sweatshirt likes to keep things slightly somber. “Make the lights look like your cat just died,” he told the lighting technicians at Mr. Smalls Funhouse on Friday night. Honoring Earl’s request, the technicians dimmed the lights to a deep blue.Unlike many rappers who infuse their lyrics with sinc...
Welcome Back: TPN Staff picks Pittsburgh’s best concerts of the summer
By The Pitt News Staff
August 19, 2014
Fans of nearly all genres had a show to be excited about this summer. Whether it was big pop (Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry, both at Consol Energy Center), big country (Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Brad Paisley), big rap (Drake vs. Lil Wayne and Tyler, the Creator) or indie darlings (Future Islands and Shar...
Van Etten stuns in chilling performance at Mr. Small’s
By Shawn Cooke / A&E Editor
June 20, 2014
On record, Sharon Van Etten is downright exhausting. Because it often seems like she’s putting her entire emotional and physical being into the vocal performance, it’d be reasonable to wonder how she could match — let alone come close to — that gripping sensation of longing and heartbreak in a li...
Pittsburgh’s large performance spaces draw diverse lineup
By Stephanie Roman / Staff Writer
May 28, 2014
Mr. Small’s Funhouse400 Lincoln Ave.MillvaleMr. Small’s more than makes up for its quaint size with an awesome, earsplitting PA sound system. Shows are often filled to bursting at a 650-person capacity, and it can get cramped and hot inside, especially when the metal, hardcore and thrash bands get...