Three Rivers Arts Festival headliners perform on the Dollar Bank Stage at Point State Park. The rest of our programming schedule will be announced in May.
The Black Keys
Friday, June 5, 8:00 PM
The Black Keys have sold out concert halls from New York to Los Angeles and played at some of the world's largest festivals. Blending sounds from Delta blues and British classic rock into a hard-hitting, contemporary hybrid, The Black Keys' minimalist sound is driven by Dan Auerbach's searing vocals and guitar work and Patrick Carney's solid drumming. The Black Keys have been able to make something ferociously noisy, deceptively melodic, and surprisingly sincere out of the simplest tools and riffs.
With special guest Jessica Lea Mayfield (6:30 PM)
Left: The Black Keys; photo credit: James Carney
Medeski Martin & Wood
Saturday, June 6, 7:45 PM
Keyboardist John Medeski, bassist Chris Wood and percussionist Billy Martin met as students at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music. Since then, they've built an empire on their signature improvisational format. Each Medeski Martin & Wood performance is a journey whose destination is unknown even to the artists, with the trio's signature sound defined by their audibly eclectic influences and inimitable chemistry.
With special guests Zee Avi (5:00 PM) and The Wood Brothers (6:30 PM)
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Sunday, June 7, 6:00 PM
Hailing from Tremé, noted as the most musical neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews has made the leap from child prodigy to professional master musician. Andrews has played as a featured brass player with world-famous rock groups from Lenny Kravitz to U2, debuted at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and headlined the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
With special guest Rodney McCoy (4:30 PM)
Formula412
Monday, June 8, 8:00 PM
By adding live guitar, bass and drums to the traditional set-up of a DJ and an emcee, Formula412 pushes the limits of the genre. Their 2008 album "The Difference" garnered Pittsburgh Hip Hop Awards for 2009 Band of the Year and CD of the Year, keeping them at the top of the Pittsburgh hip hop scene.
With special guests The Boogie Hustlers (6:30 PM)
Right: Formula412
Donora
Tuesday, June 9, 8:15 PM
Donora has been on the fast track since making a splash on the local scene less than three years ago. Brother and sister Casey and Jake Hanner and bassist Jake Churton write addictive melodies and complex, layered arrangements that feature Casey's unique vocals and the occasional made-up word.
With special guests Meeting of Important People (6:00 PM) and Apostle of Hustle (7:00 PM)
Toubab Krewe
Wednesday, June 10, 7:45 PM
Blending American and West African influences into a sound all their own, Toubab Krewe has set a new standard for fusions of rock and West African music. The instrumental quintet blends its Southern roots with a love of West African sounds, resulting in inventive, organic arrangements that highlight the musicians' technical fluency on African instruments and their unpretentious incorporation of Western influences.
With special guest Pandemic (6:00 PM) and Jazzam (6:45 PM)
Booker T.
Thursday, June 11, 8:10 PM
Booker T. Jones is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Musicians Hall of Fame inductee, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and arguably the most famous Hammond B3 player in history. Since the 1962 gold hit "Green Onions" as leader of the legendary Booker T & The MG's, this pillar of soul music has collaborated with everyone from Otis Redding to Neil Young to the Drive By Truckers.
With special guest Hayes Carll (7:00 PM)
Robert Randolph & the Family Band
Friday, June 12, 8:00 PM
Steeped in the "Sacred Steel" tradition of the Pentecostal church, Robert Randolph has redefined the possibilities of the pedal steel guitar at his foot-stomping live performances. Since emerging from the Church of God in Orange, New Jersey, Randolph and his group have made their mark on the jam-band circuit, opening for Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton.
With special guest J. Malls (5:00 PM) and Dana Fuchs (6:30 PM)
Left: Robert Randolph & the Family Band
Shemekia Copeland
Saturday, June 13, 7:45 PM
While still in her 20s, Shemekia Copeland has opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined at the Chicago Blues Festival, received a Grammy nomination and scored critics choice awards on both sides of the Atlantic. Copeland's passion for singing, matched with her huge, blast-furnace voice, gives her music a timeless power and a heart-pounding urgency.
With special guest Gary Beloma (6:00 PM)
The Wailers
Sunday, June 14, 6:00 PM
One of the last, great reggae institutions, the Wailers have sold in excess of 250 million albums worldwide since forming in 1969 with Bob Marley. Outside their groundbreaking work with Marley, they've played such notable artists as Sting, the Fugees, Stevie Wonder and Carlos Santana. The present Wailers revolve around the last original band member, Aston "Family Man" Barrett (bass), and lead singer Elan Atias, who together represent both the Wailers' historic legacy and fresh excitement.
With special guest Wizdom (4:30 PM)
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This is a great lineup. It is just amazing. Good job whoever put this all together.
I give it a 5 out of 10. It's lacking the variety of some good indy rock bands. Two nights headlined exclusively by local acts and a heavy emphasis on blues seems like kind of a missed opportunity. Booker T. is a good old school pick-up, though, as are the Wailers.
Alas, I feel we're doomed to third tier city music fest lineups :(
what would a first- or second-tier lineup look like?
Best lineup in years! These are some player's players.
Another blah line-up. Lacks an edge. Where are the indie bands? Hopefully the rest of the bands that will be announced will be more promising.
well the black keys are good! the rest is pretty hum drum. i suppose this is as good as it's going to get.
Could have done much better. Can I recommend acts such as Loudon Wainwright, Connor Oberst, Johnny Flynn, Antje Duvekot, Richard Shindell, Bob Schneider, Tracy Grammer, Joe Purdy, Mary Gauthier, Regina Spektor, etc. for next year?
i think the best way to get things accomplished is if the audience is integral to the process. so, if you have a problem with the line up: please give examples.
I would like to see an early evening dj, a female.
suggestions: Alala.One or Pittsburgh-turned-Santa Fean dj erin e.
a really fun, funky, talented/intelligent scene.
Well I think this is a great line up. Normally I get the schedule for the Arts Fest and go for a couple of nights, but I am interested in going to every single show on this list. Thanks to the organizers, you did a great job.
It's a great schedule. For people who don't know MMW, they are absolutely phenomenal. Funky, down-to-earth jazz. Truly amazing live. Their musicality and individuality sets them on a whole 'nother level above anybody else playing here.
The line up is great! Keep up the good work!...Anyone calling for more "indy" bands should be reminded of the 2 hours of noise we had to listen to Sonic Youth dribble out a few years ago. Yeah, that is way better than a hall of fame blues player or the band that backed up Bob Marley. Thank god the people who pick these bands have taste, as most of the people who post here do not. The "Black Keys are the only good band....?" you should be ashamed of yourself. Finally, who is, "Loudon Wainwright, Connor Oberst, Johnny Flynn, Antje Duvekot, Richard Shindell, Bob Schneider, Tracy Grammer, Joe Purdy, Mary Gauthier, Regina Spektor??????" My guess is that you can see most of these guys for less than $5 in the southside...why do they need to play for free. Just gather up the change you get from playing your guitar outside the beehive and go!
I think you need to become acquainted with more artists, read music magazines, and shop at Paul's Cd's in Bloomfield. The artists and singers you mentioned are not 5.00 shows in the Southside.
I'm used to seeing more "indie" acts too. What happened to years ago where we had bands like Sonic Youth, and locals such as Great Ants and Vale & Year playing? I understand that you want to cater to everyone, but there's so many hip artists and bands out in Pittsburgh right now that deserve the exposure.
Granted, it's not a bad lineup; just wish it had more Pittsburgh flavor. I plan on seeing MMW, and at least y'all booked Donora, who are great and worth the attention, as far as post-punk goes.
The lineup of artists is great! I have seen MMW several times over the years. They put on a great show. Every show is a different experience! Those who have posted negative comments about the artists have no appreciation or taste in music. (Stop spending so much time trying to be different and enjoy the ride!)
MMW is awesome. To those who are disappointed with the overall festival lineup, just show up for the MMW show and I guarantee you wont be disappointed
"reminded of the 2 hours of noise we had to listen to Sonic Youth dribble out a few years ago"
This was the best band EVER at the arts festival. I would love to have Sonic Youth back again. How about getting the Damned? Or Iggy Pop? The Dolls were awesome last year!
I won't be attending any of the performances this year. I think the music selected is very one sided. I am not interested in any of the performers.
Great lineup! All it needs is a few depressing droning Indy artists. That'll bring out the vampires!