February Pittsburgh concerts

MUST-SEE SHOW:

2/22 Tapes 'N Tapes @ Brillobox

I'll be honest, the one time I saw Tapes 'N Tapes live I wasn't blown away, but I only caught about 20 minutes of their Lollapalooza set, so it's not fair to make a judgment based on that. The Minneapolis act is still touring behind last April's Walk it Off, a David Fridmann-produced effort which features the gem "Conquest." Brillobox is a rather cozy club so I imagine this show will be quite crowded.

ALSO WORTH ATTENDING:

2/16 Ben Folds @ Club Zoo

The piano man makes his first Pittsburgh appearance since a free show at the University of Pittsburgh in 2006, when he made up a song on the spot about the Cathedral of Learning. Club Zoo is quite a different venue, but it's worth the trip to the Strip District to catch Ben. If you're lucky, maybe he'll play his earnest cover of Dr. Dre's "Bitches Ain't Shit."

2/28 Tokyo Police Club @ Mr. Small's

2/28 Ben Kweller @ Diesel

Two good shows in one night. What tempts you, a peppy indie rock act or a sensitive singer-songwriter? Tokyo Police Club played Small's last year and delivered a solid, if short, performance. Kweller's been releasing music for a decade now, and this performance is likely to showcase a bunch of songs from Changing Horses, his new record due out tomorrow.

Others to keep in mind:

2/5 Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt @ Carnegie Music Hall (Oakland)

2/5 Von Iva & Semi Precious Weapons @ Hard Rock Cafe

2/8 School of Seven Bells @ Carnegie Mellon University
2/8 Ludo @ Diesel

2/13 Cute is What We Aim For with Meg & Dia @ Diesel

2/14 The English Beat @ Rex Theatre
2/18 Bitch & The Exciting Conclusion @ Your Inner Vagabond
2/19 Eagles of Death Metal @ Mr. Small's

2/24 Dark Star Orchestra @ Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead

2/25 Avenged Sevenfold, Buckcherry & Papa Roach @ Petersen Events Center

2/28 Jason Isbell @ Club Cafe