WYEP’s Summer Music Festival returns for its 25th installment on June 29! Our annual outdoor summer concert is fun for the whole family — so pack a picnic basket, grab those blankets and lawn chairs, and meet us on the lawn at Schenley Plaza for a full day of free live music.
This year we are thrilled to welcome Middle Kids, Oh He Dead, and Jade Bird to Pittsburgh while proudly presenting some hometown talent from Ames Harding & The Mirage, Chariot Fade, and Mani Bahia.
Middle Kids
I can’t say for sure, but I have a feeling that Middle Kids have traveled further than any other band to get to Schenley Plaza. Formed in Sydney, Australia in 2016, Middle Kids came to be when guitarist and songwriter Hannah Joy met bassist Tim Fitz. Joy was already a thriving solo artist, but along with Fitz and jazz drummer Harry Day, they found the sound that would take them around the world.
In February of this year, Middle Kids released their third album — “Faith Crisis Pt 1” — a wonderful record the band is excited to share with audiences, especially since the pandemic foiled their plans to tour around their album “Today We’re The Greatest” in 2021.
Oh He Dead
Hailing from our nation’s capital, Oh He Dead craft a uniquely gritty and groovy form of soul music. Built around the vocals of CJ Johnson, Oh He Dead have no fear of tackling sensitive topics and turning them into hip-shaking, quite captivating tunes. This one will be fun.
Jade Bird
Hearing Jade Bird for the first time felt like winning the lottery. Like, where did this special voice come from and why do we deserve to hear it? The English singer and songwriter released her debut full-length album in 2019 and drew us in with her powerful voice and her display of raw emotions. Jade Bird will be performing solo and acoustic at the Summer Music Festival and I’d say to be sure to focus on her set, but I have a feeling she’ll command our attention without much effort.
Ames Harding & The Mirage
Ames Harding & The Mirage are a Pittsburgh band, but when you listen to them, it becomes readily apparent that they take inspiration from all over the world. Tricky rhythms and sensual lyrics drive the band’s virtuosic playing on songs like “Peacock” and “Until Daylight.” While I certainly hope for a warm and sunny Summer Music Festival, seeing Ames and his band play “Rain Won’t Fall” during a brief rainstorm at last year’s Deutschtown Music Festival was a magical moment right out of a movie.
Chariot Fade
Whether you know them already or not, Chariot Fade always kind of sound like something familiar. They have a real gift for artfully dismantling rock archetypes and building them back up into new musical worlds that draw us in and up to the dance floor. Chariot Fade’s newest single “Make Yours Like Mine” samples McFadden & Whitehead and when you hear it, you’ll be convinced that no, there ain’t no stoppin’ them now.
Mani Bahia
Mani Bahia (Mah-Knee Bye-Eee-Yuh) is a true artist. An accomplished musician, DJ, producer, songwriter, and performer, Mani puts herself and all of her grit and vulnerability into her songs, always showing her artistic integrity. In fact, she once performed a spoken word piece for Denzel Washington outside of August Wilson’s childhood home in the Hill District. We got reeled in hard by her song “Fisher” a couple years ago. Take a listen if you want to get a taste of Mani’s reflections on the world around her.
Thank you to our members and the 2024 WYEP Summer Music Festival Sponsors:
FAQ
Where is the 2024 WYEP Summer Music Festival?
Since 2008, Schenley Plaza, a green oasis in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, has been the home of The WYEP Summer Music Festival. It is located at:
Schenley Plaza
4100 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
Is this festival free?
Yep, it’s free and open to the public!
Where do I park my car?
In addition to the on-street parking around Schenley Plaza, you can find more parking information here.
What should I bring with me?
Blankets, Lawn Chairs, Water, Good Vibes, & a whole lot of sunscreen!
Where can I find the bathrooms?
In addition to the permanent facilities in the park, we will have accessible port-a-johns and hand-washing stations for your convenience.
Support The Festival
You listen to WYEP to discover new music, hear old favorites, and learn about upcoming concerts and events in Pittsburgh. And all of it—every note, every performance, every program—is made possible by and dependent on the contributions of generous independent music fans in our community – our members! Support from our members is crucial in bringing you events like the WYEP Summer Music Festival and keeping them free for all to enjoy.
Be part of our eclectic community of music lovers; become a WYEP member today. Your support will help to keep the music playing, the programs you love on-air, and the concerts coming. Support The WYEP Summer Music Festival Today!
If your business would like to support WYEP and the 2024 WYEP Summer Music Festival: Become a Sponsor of WYEP!
