An alum of “The Office” with a deep musical background, a veteran heavy-metal guitarist and a long-running rock band known for its three-part harmonies will be in Pittsburgh in January. Here’s a look at the most notable shows coming to the area this month:
Top shows
Jan. 9: Zakk Sabbath, The Native Howl at Roxian Theatre
Is there anyone more fitting for a Black Sabbath tribute band than Zakk Wylde, the longtime guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne?
Wylde, who also fronts his own Black Label Society and played with Pantera’s reunion/tribute tour, is joined by bassist Rob “Blasko” Nicholson (Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie) and drummer Joey Castillo (Queens of the Stone Age, Danzig).
“Going back to high-school keg parties, we’d be playing songs by Rush, Sabbath, Hendrix, whatever (in a cover band), and one person would sing the Rush stuff, someone could do the Doors, and I’d end up doing the Sabbath or Ozzy stuff,” Wylde told Rolling Stone in 2020. “It’s hilarious to me, because we were 17 years old playing keg parties at a friend’s house and now I’m 53 years old and I’m still playing ‘N.I.B.’ and Sabbath songs at keg parties, except there’s a couple more people.”
Read more: Hear Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde cover Black Sabbath’s crushing namesake song
Jan. 20: Creed Bratton at City Winery Pittsburgh
Creed Bratton may be more famous for his role as, wait for it, Creed Bratton on “The Office,” but he’s also an accomplished folk musician.
Bratton played guitar for The Grass Roots, a 1960s folk/rock band famous for songs like “Let’s Live For Today” and “Midnight Confessions.” He’s also released at least eight solo albums since 2001.
“He has a love of country music. He loves to rock out. He loves the psychedelic stuff,” producer Dillon O’Brian told Esquire. “He loves a sweet, down-home ballad. We can cover all this ground. And in some ways they shouldn’t exist on the same album, but just because it’s Creed at the center, he pulls it all in. He’s never fake. It might be all these different styles, but he’s always himself in the middle of it.”
Read more: Creed Bratton’s role on ‘The Office’ was a total accident
Jan. 25: Three Dog Night at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
Classic rockers Three Dog Night will “Celebrate” their 50+ years of making music with a show in Pittsburgh.
Only 81-year-old singer Danny Hutton remains from the original lineup of the band, known for songs like “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),” “Joy to the World” and “One.”
“We didn’t ‘cover’ songs. We resurrected songs,” Hutton told Next Avenue in 2022.
Read more: Catching up with Danny Hutton of Three Dog Night
Sold-out shows
Jan. 30: Foy Vance, Bonnie Bishop at City Winery Pittsburgh
Irish singer-songwriter Foy Vance recently released a 10th anniversary edition of his song, “Guiding Light,” with appearances from Elton John, Ed Sheeran and Keith Urban.
Related
• Top 24 concerts (so far) coming to Pittsburgh area in 2024
• Grace Potter on her love of Pittsburgh, ‘Mother Road’ album, ‘Lady Vagabond’ and driving fast
Other notable shows
Jan. 8: Story of the Year, We the Kings, Youth Fountain at Roxian Theatre
Jan. 13-14: Lotus at Mr. Smalls Theatre
Jan. 15: Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
Jan. 15: Wig Wam at Jergel’s
Jan. 17: Grace Potter at Stage AE (More: Grace Potter on her love of Pittsburgh, ‘Mother Road’ album, ‘Lady Vagabond’ and driving fast)
Jan. 18: Colt Ford at Jergel’s
Jan. 18: Spafford at Thunderbird Music Hall
Jan. 19: Crowder, Lecrae, Cain, Katy Nichole, Seventh Day Slumber, Newsong at Petersen Events Center
Jan. 19: Conner Smith, Lauren Watkins at Stage AE
Jan. 20: G. Love & Special Sauce, Jakobs Castle at Thunderbird Music Hall
Jan. 20: Digable Planets, Kassa Overall at Mr. Smalls Theatre
Jan. 24: Beartooth, The Plot in You, Invent Animate at Roxian Theatre
Jan. 26: Restless Road, Erin Kinsey at Roxian Theatre
Jan. 28: Thursday, Rival Schools, Many Eyes featuring Keith Buckley at Roxian Theatre
Jan. 28: Mr. Big, Mark Daly at Jergel’s
