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.”
What a terrible line-up this year….talk about sticking a pin in an inflated balloon in slow motion….
Hi Aaron, Sorry to hear you don’t like the line-up. We try to program a variety of styles of music within the realities of who’s touring, our budget, and available dates. With 2,000,000 people in the Pittsburgh region, it’s hard to please each person in the region every year. What would you have preferred?
What time will Guster be playing? I’ve waiting so song to see them again! I need to know. They are totally worth seeing for the young people out there! You won’t be disapointed!
What time will Guster be playing? I’ve been waiting so song to see them again! I need to know. They are totally worth seeing for the young people out there! You won’t be disapointed!
Any Jam bands for that June 12th slot??? Don’t know many of these groups but will def. have to check them out….
I agree with Aaron. Nothing much to get excited about. There’s some good music, but nothing fantastic – last year Robert Randolph, MMW, and the Wailers – that was fun.
awesome! can’t wait!
If great live music bores you, than you’re boring; I’ve never seen a “bad” act at the festival. It is a bonus when I’m familiar with any given band at the festival, but usually it is the first time I’ve heard them. If you feel the lineup is terrible, rather than complaining about the work of others, who’ve put together this free festival, I recommend volunteering for the festival.
ummmm…. this line up IS kinda weak. What’s up with the TBAs????? Call moe. immediately!!! They always throw down at the Arts Festival!!!!
Need to see some Michael Franti in there!
Patty Griffin! Yinz rock!
never been to the festival before…
how do the concerts work? do you have to purchase tickets beforehand?
Do you have to pay or get tickets to attend any of these shows, or just come to the festival? How early would you recommend getting there to get a decent view/place to sit?
Great line up. Even the bands I have never heard of sound interesting. Like to see Tift Meritt as a headliner, but cant have everything. Can’t wait to see who fills those open dates. I know there will be presure to book some marginal local band or something artsy fartsy like Squonk Opera. Try to resist. You have a nice nice line up working here.
why dont you guys ask Matthew Ryan to play on monday or saturday that would be awesome
Hi PJB and Megan, All Three Rivers Arts Festival concerts are free and open to the public. No tickets necessary! Depending on the popularity of the band, you might want to arrive an hour or two before, but there’s plenty of space at Point State Park.
I think the lineup is fantastic! Kris Kristofferson? Ingrid Michaelson? Patty Griffin? YES!!!
Stop with the hate! I’m THRILLED about the line-up! Everyone has different musical tastes, I suppose, but I am super excited about Guster, Ingrid Michaelson AND Patty Griffin all in one festival. Can’t wait!
What about a great Cajun or zydeco band, bluegrass these always go over well.
Looks good to me. Gotta love people who whine about a free anything. Like a 4 year old. Relax. If you don’t like it, then ask for yer money back and go pay for a concert you want to see.
After last year’s amazing line-up, this year is a bit of a let down. Still, it is great that this is offered in our city! Thanks!! ~peace~
Can’t wait to see Kris and Justin Townes Earle! What a great night that will be. Jason Isbell too! What a talent. Lineup looks great. Excited to see who else will be on the bill. Wish I could make all the shows all week long.
Hi Karla, Guster will play around 7:30pm.
Patty Griffin! So amazing!!!!
Kris is excellent! I can’t wait to see him again. What an excellent song-writer and performer. Last time it was him, his guitar and his harmonica on the stage. Not many people can entertain for 2 hours on their own. Excellent!!!!
I agree with Dustin from Nu Ken.
Call moe. immediately!!!
There is a total lack of jambands this year.
Los Amigos Invisibles kick butt! I highly recommend these guys… and what’s with the “weak lineup” comments…. 1st of all: it’s FREE. So, unless you are financially contributing to the often-cash-tight decades long festival that is an amazing cultural plus for our region – please shut the heck up already!
2nd – I’ll admit there have been former festival music lineups that have had me really excited about everybody, but this year is no different for me than most: I am really excited about a couple, really looking forward to hearing a few for the first time (including legends like Kristofferson and Griffin), and willing to try to make it down for those others who I’ve never heard of but am willing to give a listen. After all – I’ll be down at one of the most beautiful locales in Pgh., looking for something sweet to eat, having fun checking out art and people watching, and supporting what’s sure to be another fine arts festival…. what’s there to complain about????
patty griffin and ingrid michaelson rock! also excited to hear other groups. It’s not summer without the 3 rivers arts festival!
Pittsburgh needs an Indie Music Festival for us that aren’t excited with the line-up.
How about Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra with Sean Jones on Saturday June 12th?
This line-up is super weak, I agree call Moe immediately. It is free but free does not equal crap bands that no one has ever heard of besides some Emo kids.
I’d love to see you bring Martin Sexton back. He is perhaps the greatest live performer I have ever seen, and he just released a new album. I believe he last (and maybe ONLY) played the festival in 2007.
Weaksauce…where’s MMW or the Wailers or Joe Bonamassa or Derek Trucks or MOE…cummon we have to see MOE at LEAST once a year in Pgh…
Sounds like it’s time to call Amy Staggs over Allegheny County and see where all the county money for music has been spent on…
This looks great! Trying to come out from Colorado…was there a few years ago. What a great event. Is Nathaniel Rateliff playing?
Lived in Pittsburgh for five years. Moved back to WNY about 15 years ago. I WISH we had a festival like this. As a matter of fact, time permitting, my husband and I will come down and check out a couple of concerts. When we lived there we would go almost every night. Most times we didn’t know the band/muscian. We were never disappointed and expanded our musical horizons.
More of an if i can make it line-up than i will be there. I think we all got spoiled last year.
Sharon Jones for TBA!
Lol @ all the people complaining about the lineup. More space for me to stretch out then! Have fun hating life, guys. Sheesh, that gift horse certainly needs a dental check up.
Definitely not as good as years past, but not terrible. I would have liked to see some more jam bands as well, they have been some of the best attended shows over the past 5 years, even when the shows were at fifth ave. place. Will the stage be back at the point near the fountain or on the other side of the bridge like last year?
Stellar line up! Look forward to see what the last few added will be.
I have to agree. This is the weakest lineup that I can remember.
Alejandro Escovedo – Ok, but wasn’t he here last year? Must work cheap.
Ingrid Michaelson – passionate artist and skillful songwriter is code for = ZZZzzzzz
Kris Kristofferson – Last relevant in 1975. Yippee
Patty Griffin – ZZZZZZzzzzzz___
I agree with Bananna how about Michael Franti one year. He would be perfect for this festival.
I have to agree that this line up is very weak. Too singer songwriter oriented. Dirty Dozen will be great. I would have like to seen some more blues,funk, or jazz myself. Cant complain to much though, its free.
Wonderful lineup – can’t wait to check out Ingrid, and Patty Griffin will be great. Most excited about Tift and hope her “special guest” role doesn’t equate to a smaller set. Really sad to see all the negative out here – how many other places throw such a party for their city for FREE? If you appreciate like me (we frequently pay $75 each for a pass to Bumbershoot in Seattle) then consider supporting by a donation designated to 3 Rivers at Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Looking forward to hearing about the TBAs!!
@Bryan – Three Rivers Arts Festival is a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, which is a not-for-profit organization. While the Festival does receive some government money in the form of grants, particularly from Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Festival is not a project of the City of Pittsburgh or Allegheny County and does not at this time receive funding from them.
I was thinking maybe if you can get a decent jamband like moe. or Gov’t Mule for one of the TBA dates,A good opening act would be local Grateful Dead cover band Fungus.
For those who are whining about the lack of a jam band… you should petition the festival to get Trippin’ Balls to play. They’re CRAZY cool. Look them up.
TBA…. get the Disco Biscuits!!!!!
I have to admit I am kind of disappointed in the line-up. I do have to throw you guys a bone. I noticed that all the big festivals this year shut down because most artists are recording.(Rothbury 10k Lakes) You guys did the best you could. I’ll be excited for the TBAs. May I suggest the bands “Broken Bells” or “Tea Leaf Green” or “Gov’t Mule”. I loved the Black Keys last year and Robert Randolph(who i missed because of the Penguins Stanley Cup win
Keep up the good work.
Dan
Maybe Martin Sexton could drop in on the 7th on his way from NY to TN…
Or one eskimo?
As part of his public image overhaul, Ben Roethlisberger will be singing a duet with Ingrid Michaelson.
Decent lineup. Guster, Patti Griffin, and Ingrid Michaelson stand out to me.
I still wonder why there are always so many repeat acts when bands are brought into Pittsburgh for festivals/park shows. Alejandro Escovedo seems to play a free show here every year.
I would recommend The New Pornographers, Pavement, Broken Bells, or She & Him for one of the last spots. Besides Guster, this lineup is lacking the youth appeal that a lot of past Arts Festivals have done a good job at bringing in and getting them into Pittsburgh Art and Culture at a young age.
Other than that, I can’t complain, it’s free music, and I always appreciate that. Keep up the good work.