2010 Headline Concerts
12 April 2010 by Lauren in Featured, Music
We are so excited to share this year’s exciting lineup of concerts on the Dollar Bank Stage in Point State Park. Get ready for 10 days of rock, country, blues, folk and dancing in the grass!
We’re still working on the concerts for Monday, June 7, and Saturday, June 12, and we’ll let you know when they scheduled – but we couldn’t wait any longer to share the rest!
All concerts are FREE and take place on the Dollar Bank Stage in Point State Park. Headliners take the stage at 7:30pm every night except Sundays, when they play at 6pm.
Friday, June 4: Alejandro Escovedo
After starting his solo career in the early 90s, critically acclaimed Alejandro Escovedo has gone on to release nine albums including his most recent Real Animal (2008). Since dabbling in rock and cowboy punk in the 70s and 80s, opening for bands ranging from The Sex Pistols to Los Lobos, and relocating to Austin, Texas, Escovedo has become a pioneer in Americana and alternative country.
Saturday, June 5: Guster
From humble beginnings at Tufts University, Guster has grown a massive fan base across the United States. In 1999, the band released their breakout album Lost and Gone Forever, produced by Steve Lillywhite, and has since had multiple songs hit the Adult Top 40 and the Billboard 200. Following their 2006 album Ganging Up on the Sun, Guster’s sold-out eco-friendly Campus Consciousness tour featured buses fueled with biodiesel and performances powered by the wind. Guster has become a powerful advocate for environmental responsibility in the music industry, founding first the non-profit Reverb and then, this spring, the Green Music Group. This commitment to the environment, plus their poetic songwriting, unique instrumentation and fantastic vocal harmonies, make Guster the perfect United Nations World Environment Day 2010 Pittsburgh concert.
Sunday, June 6: Dirty Dozen Brass Band
with special guest Nathaniel Rateliff
Hailing from New Orleans, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band has been mesmerizing audiences since 1977 with their raging horns and high-energy performances. The Dirty Dozen has performed at festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival and Bonnaroo, and has worked with musicians as diverse Dr. John, Dizzy Gillespie, Elvis Costello and DJ Logic. Their revolutionized brass-band sound has brought millions of listeners to their feet.
Monday, June 7: TBA
Tuesday, June 8: Jason Isbell
with special guest Tift Merritt
Jason Isbell’s career took off after teaming up with fellow Alabama natives The Drive-By Truckers in 2001. After numerous songwriting credits for the band, Isbell left the Truckers in 2007 to pursue his solo career. Shortly following his departure, Isbell released his debut album, Sirens of the Ditch. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit is the follow-up effort, Isbell’s first album with his backing band and even more of that classic Alabama sound.
Wednesday, June 9: Los Amigos Invisibles
This Venezuelan band has created a wholly individual sound by wrapping funk, disco and jazz in Latin rhythms. After releasing their debut album The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera in 1995, it didn’t take long for Los Amigos Invisibles to gain international attention. In 2001, the group moved from Venezuela to New York, and since then has earned one Latin Grammy and two more nominations, including a nod for their most recent album, Commercial. Described as “Jamiroquai meets Santana,” Los Amigos Invisibles’ disco-funk will have everyone dancing.
Thursday, June 10: Ingrid Michaelson
with special guest Matt Morris
You might not know Ingrid Michaelson’s name, but you’ve probably heard her music. Since releasing her 2005 debut album, Michaelson’s songs have appeared in numerous network television shows including Scrubs, One Tree Hill and Grey’s Anatomy. This Staten Island native started playing piano at age four, and has since developed into a passionate artist and skillful songwriter. She will perform at the Festival just after touring with The Barenaked Ladies and a brief UK tour.
Friday, June 11: Kris Kristofferson
with special guest Justin Townes Earle
The multi-talented Kris Kristofferson was a Rhodes Scholar and an Army Ranger before he embarked on a prodigious musical and film career, producing a catalog of more than twenty albums and acting in dozens of films. Kristofferson started as a songwriter in the 1960s, writing hit songs for Ray Stevens, Roger Miller, Jerry Lee Lewis and Janis Joplin. He landed a gig at the Newport Folk Fest with an introduction from Johnny Cash, and despite limited initial sales went on to have enormous success as both a solo artist and a songwriter. Kristofferson swept the 1971 Grammys and has been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Songwriters hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and in 2007 received CMT’s Johnny Cash Visionary Award. Still touring at 73 years old, his most recent album is Closer to the Bone, released in September 2009.
Saturday, June 12: TBA
Sunday, June 13: Patty Griffin
with special guest Guggenheim Grotto
Patty Griffin was discovered in the early 90s playing coffee houses around Boston, and in 1996 released her major label debut, Living with Ghosts, which showcased her raw talent, unique voice and skillful songwriting. Over the years, Griffin has toured with artists like Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch, and her songs have been performed by Martina McBride, Reba McIntire, Bette Midler, Kelly Clarkson, Solomon Burke and The Dixie Chicks, among others. This year, Griffin released the critically-acclaimed Downtown Church, a stylistically-diverse collection of traditional gospel songs and original compositions that the Boston Globe called “transcendent.”
@Mike That is the most hilarious suggestion on this whole post!
I feel sorta left out of the Complainers Ball because I think the lineup is great! I suggest that you look into Greensburg’s own LoveBettie for one of the open slots or for next year.
Thank for bringing FREE live music to Pittsburgh every year. Don’t let the haters get you down.
This is the best lineup I’ve seen in years! I’m excited for Ingrid Michaelson, Guster, and Dirty Dozen Brass Band. See yinz at the point!
Ya I like the lineup and would go see as many this year as I could. In my own opinion, I was in arts festie heaven the year that Moe, and Gov’t Mule both played. How did you book them then and only get Guster from the jam-band scene this year? The Avett Brothers are blowing up right now, as they are a past performer, but are booked and playing Boneroo that weekend. Moe, also, has been a consistent staple.
Where are the Wailers!! They have nothing booked that weekend on their tour schedule.
More Jam Bands!
The line-up is pretty descent. I understand trying to draw all of pittsburgh with music diversity, but why not for the last two spots add at least a more jammy band. This would add to the overall energy of the festival. Moe. and Lotus are old acts that bring an amazing show each time! Someone mentioned the Disco Biscuits. They are also Philadelphia natives like Lotus. Would be a sweet add! I’m looking forward to the Dirty Dozen Brass Band! Also, there are some really talented young reggae bands on the scene. Dirty Heads, Rebulation and SOJA are a few. One of these acts would be great for the other open spot!
Good Lineup. I’m just hoping you can include a band from the past moe, robert randolph, etc. Someone that can create that staple for the festival which draws people back every year.
Ya know… for all the people complaining about this lineup — I just want to point out, there are in fact people in this city who REALLY like these bands. Guster, for one, is going to draw people from all over the east coast. No, seriously, they will. Their fans are rabid… I know, ’cause I’m one of them
So just because you don’t like the artists, or (as I’m guessing is *actually* the case) don’t know much about them/haven’t heard of them, that does not = ‘bad lineup.’
When you live in a city the size of Pittsburgh, having a FREE festival that draws national bands is pretty cool. When you actually know of and like the bands already, that’s icing. If you don’t, maybe try being open-minded about who IS coming. Genuinely, this is the first year that I’ve actively already liked a bunch of the bands coming… but in past years I’ve taken the attitude of, ‘maybe I’ll find a new band I end up loving, or maybe this band that I’ve never been a huge fan of will be awesome live performers and convert me.’ It’s worked pretty well for me, so I highly recommend it to you all as well
PLEASE make the TBAs appeal to a younger crowd!!!! Pittsburgh is a college city and all the bands listed are for a +25 crowd. You are going to loose a LOT of potential audience members.
Matt and Kim
MGMT
The Roots
K-OS
ANYTHING
also KMAC,
Although guster and such will draw a last crowd else where, this is the pittsburgh Three Rivers Arts Fest, Not the Eastcoast Many Rivers Arts Fest
Oh my…where do I start with that. As I said — many people right here in Pittsburgh like these bands (and not just those who are — gasp — over 25). But, if you want a band that mainly appeals to Pittsburghers… then you’ll need to call Scott Blasey and see what the Clarks are up to in early June. That’s a band that will appeal to the most people in this town. I’m sorry — it’s not MGMT.
See, what’s great about having an arts fest that draws people not just from our li’l ‘college town,’ is that it brings money into the city, which makes it a nicer, even cooler place to live. This is all besides the fact that you will also find plenty of people under 25 that don’t like the bands you mentioned. Trust me.
Sorry you are disappointed in the line up, but you win some, you lose some, right?
MORE JAM BANDS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Open your minds “hippies” and the music will follow.
I second the motion to find a jam band to play in an open slot!
Oh my! What happened first no Phish at Star Lake now this! Dirty Dozen sweet, no offense i’m sure they’re all extremely talented, but C’MON!
Did they just decide they didn’t want thoasands of people there the entire time? Bad for biz?
Note the pleased to displeased responses here, STOP IGNORING YOUR KEY DEMOGRAPHIC!
Also Wilco, play a real venue already!
I was really looking forward to this… WAS
Personally I am thrilled with this line up!! No matter what your age, if you attend any of these live performances you are going to hear seriously talented musicians who are top in their craft!
@ Andy.
With their tour schedule, I thought for sure 3 Rivers Arts Fest would pick up the Avetts. Unfortunately, even with two spots left, I see it as highly unlikely since they added a pay show to Pittsburgh for that week at the Ches-A-Rena.
@ kmac
I’m not complaining about having a free festival, and I thank the organizers for all of their hard work, but you make it seem like Pittsburgh is one of few cities having an arts fest. Smaller cities and towns throughout the nation pull in bands to play free shows throughout the summer. Chicago and New York each have like 50 arts festivals like this. Milwaukee, St. Louis, Louisville, Nashville, Urbana-Champaign, etc. etc. pull in great acts for special festivals. To be honest, it’s a shame that the music and arts scene in Pittsburgh is completely lacking where we have to wait a whole year for one special music event like this.
@ everyone
The only reason I dislike seeing repeats like Alejandro is because Pittsburgh does a terrible job a nabbing bands to play shows. I have faith that festivals such as this can bring those special and unique bands that usually skip over the city on their annual tours.
With that said, I’d give my left arm to see She & Him brought in for the Monday or Saturday night TBA performance.
And even with these rants, keep doing what you do best Arts Fest. Don’t let the negative comments get you down, but use them as a building tool for future years. Keep up the good work.
I have never been able to see Kris Kristofferson play live-I am absolutely excited! This is beyond cool. Also, Patty Griffin? Doubly excited! Free? With cool artists and food? Yeah, this is good! It’s free people!
Would like to see Pretty Lights or maybe bring the New Mastersounds. Line-up is alright, could be better. It would be awesome if you could land the Roots, but that doesn’t seem likely. Lotus would be sick tho.
Or bring in Galactic or something.
Any shot at bringing back Ozomatli? Put on a great show on a rainy night a couple years ago, and have open dates in early June…could promote their new album!
I’m siked to see Guster – would be even better if you got Matt and Kim!
bring in THE ROOTS!!!! their long-awaited new album drops on june 8, 2010. they play their picnic on june 5 in philly. it only makes sense. GET ‘EM HERE!!!!
Loudon Wainwright III, John Hiatt, Richard Shindell, Will Hoge! There are some suggestions for your empty slots!
What an amazing line up. I saw Alejandro last year at the Arts Festival and it is a live show that everyone needs to experience. He rocks!
STFU ungrateful hippies. Yeesh.
Amen Steve!
If you want jam band head to the Palace for Les Claypool on the Eigth.
How about the Funk for TBA, Sharon Jones or anything from the Dap Tone Label! Or the New Mastersounds referenced in an earlier post. Or Sharon Jones! Maybe Sharon Jones
Thanks everyone for your suggestions for bands. I love to hear about what Festival fans want to see, and our only problem is that we don’t have enough concerts to meet everyone’s taste every year. We definitely pay attention to what you say as we’re looking at possible music acts for next year – so thank you again!
Generally when we announce our headliners, any remaining slots will be filled by regional or local music – and we have such a wealth of local talent to showcase.
The TBA headline slots have been filled as follows:
On Monday, June 7, reggae fans will enjoy Erie-based world music band One World Tribe, a group that WDVE’s Randy Baumann called “the real deal.”
On Saturday, June 12, we’re hosting our first-ever weekend Local Indie Music Showcase starting at 5:30, with David Bernabo + Assembly, Boca Chica, Harlan Twins and Lohio taking the stage over the course of the evening.
We’re also still at work on local openers for some of the headline shows, lunchtime concerts on the Dollar Bank Stage at Point State Park, and additional music programming in the Cultural District. We hope to announce all of that next week, so stay tuned.
[...] to everyone who commented on our 2010 headline music announcement. We love to hear about what Festival fans want to see, and wish that we had three month’s worth [...]
Get portugal. the man to play!
I agree that the two tba slots should be filled with some music for the younger crowd 18-25 range for balance. Maybe some acts that have played in Pittsburgh before and have drawn well such as Broken Social Scene, The New Pornographers, Mates Of State, Metric, Spoon and the National.
it’s not that this line up is bad, but it’s just the same old stuff we have pretty much every year :
a mixture of wyep bands and jam bands.
boring!
if money is an issue, why not book only one or two really good bands and fill the rest of the spots with local bands.
there are plenty of good local bands, and i’m not talking about the awful clarks.
Not happy with the lineup this year. I’m glad I’ll be out West this summer guiding backcountry camping trips in the National Parks. Next year please consider:
Black Crowes
JJ Grey & Mofro
North Mississippi allstars
Davy Knowles & Backdoor Slam
Drive-by Truckers
My morning Jacket
Levon Helm
You can never go wrong with The Black Keys
King Khan & The shrines
Wayne “The Train” Hancock
The Bridge(from Baltimore)
Further- would have been perfect this year
I could go on forever but most of those will appeal to all tastes who dig the good stuff thats currently out these days!
……STS9 or Umphreys Mcgee as well on the above.
I love Patty Griffin. I’m driving in from Ohio to the festival just to see her!
pretty disappointing lineup. i don’t know how you go from having acts like sonic youth, eels, violent femmes and Tom Verlaine to the current lineup. oh well at least I won’t miss anything while at pride.
Parliament, Ween, Lotus, Umphreys Mcgee, Disco Biscuits, STS9, Beck for the TBA
Thank you for having a local music showcase! As a Pittsburgh musician that means so much.
Also, thank you for having fresh bands play it. I’m so tired of the usual suspects (clarks, grushecky, price, iris, etc.) around these parts.
I’m looking forward to it!
Hooray for Ingrid Michaelson!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sigh….No moe. again. No line-up has even come close to 2006 with Gov’t Mule and moe. 2 days apart. Nothing here is of any interest to me really. Dirty Dozen is good, but not something I’m going to make a trip downtown for. Fingers crossed for next year..
Wood Brothers
last year’s lineup was so much better
Moe two years ago, black keys last year, and now we get kris kristofferson and guster????
You’d think they could find something a little more appealing….can we get a legitimate reggae jam, or indie act?? Toots and the Maytals, the Wailers, Spoon, Hold Steady, something???
kmac is right, the Gusterrhoids will be out in force. They haven’t played in the ‘burgh since 2002. We have driven to colleges all over the east coast and scheduled a vacation in NYC to see Guster for 2 nights at the Beacon Theater. If you check their messageboards, they have fans of all ages. And sorry, guys, but the over 25 crowd is less rowdy and more likely to appreciate and patronize the ART, which is what the festival is about.
remember the year with sonic youth?!?!? that was amazing.
peter bjorn n’ john.. black crowes maybe?!? dark star orchestra would rock. carlos jones and the plus band are amazing reggae. dirty heads.. oooooh please =)
Bring back Tragically Hip.
What kind of pathetic line up is this? This is the Pittsburgh Art’s Festival. What happened? And how do they not know who is playing on Sat night? This is sad. Whoever booked these bands, please resign and get somebody with musical taste to handle next year.
This blog post is from April. The TBD slots were filled two weeks later, and the full music line-up is available here.
Love how people bitch about FREE concerts. And calling for people to be fired because your favorite bands are not playing…..Really? Stay home and miss out if all you can do is complain. The other thousands and thousands of people will be having a good time.