May Pittsburgh concerts

MUST-SEE SHOW:
5/11 TV On the Radio @ Mr. Small's
The innovative Brooklyn rock band makes another local appearance on the heels of last year's acclaimed Dear Science. I've seen them live only once, at Lollapalooza in 2007 (pic above), but the power and might of their live sound was stunning. Swedish electronic act Little Dragon is an intriguing opening act.

ALSO WORTH ATTENDING:
5/4 Shwayze & Mickey Avalon @ Mr. Small's
Both of these hip-pop acts fall under the label of "so stupid, they're awesome." Shwayze's rhymes about weed & women are hilarious. If you aren't already high, you'll be inspired to get there. Mickey Avalon raps about his seedy past as a male prostitute. His unique style is endearing.

5/19 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band @ Mellon Arena
What more needs to be said? One of the all-time great frontmen and all-time great backing bands are back in the Burgh. Expect a memorable 3-hour show.

5/30 Coldplay & Pete Yorn @ Post-Gazette Pavilion
Coldplay have obviously constructed an impressive body of work over the past 10 years, but I'm just as excited about opener Pete Yorn. He's fallen off the radar in recent years, but the guy who was once compared to Springsteen has some great songs - his 2002 effort Musicforthemorningafter is one of my favorite rock albums of this decade.

Others to keep in mind: 5/1 Silverstein & Bless the Fall @ Club Zoo
5/1 Haste the Day @ Mr. Small's
5/2 Toad the Wet Sprocket @ Carnegie Library Music Hall (Homestead)
5/2 Maia Sharp @ Thunderbird Cafe
5/2 Manchester Orchestra @ Mr. Small's
5/3 Freezepop @ Pegasus
5/4 Serena Ryder @ Club Cafe
5/5 Cursive @ Diesel
5/6 Cut Off Your Hands @ Brillobox
5/7 Kevin Rudolf @ Mr. Small's CANCELED
5/8 Gwar @ Mr. Small's
5/8 Obscura @ 31st Street Pub
5/8 The Dears @ Diesel
5/9 John Doe @ Thunderbird Cafe
5/9 Forever the Sickest Kids @ Diesel
5/11 Gavin Rossdale @ Gateway Clipper
5/13 The Veronicas @ Diesel
5/14 Madina Lake @ Mr. Small's
5/15 Birthday Massacre @ Diesel
5/16 Ting Tings @ Mr. Small's
5/16 Low vs. Diamond @ Club Cafe
5/27 Cracker @ Hard Rock Cafe
5/31 Carbon Leaf @ Rex Theatre