For Those Who Like to Rock: The Allegheny County Summer Concert Series

This week’s Great Escape takes us out of Washington County, but definitely keeps us in the mix. We’re going to the at South Park Amphitheater, where we’ll find a variety of bands across different musical genres.

On the evening of Friday, June 17, four amazing bands will be ready to punch out some tunes for the South Park Amphitheater audience. The show starts at 6:30 p. m., and the lineup includes headlining act Lovebettie.

Lovebettie is a four-piece Pittsburgh-based group, priding its members as the “pioneers of Swagger Rock.” Lovebettie mixes and bends multiple genres to create a very unique, and entirely enticing, musical experience.

Alexandra Naples’ vocals are raspy yet smooth, and melt into the soulful, pulsing rhythms that back her. With a sound like this, it’s easy to see why Lovebettie is steadily climbing the ranks to dominate the indie music scene. The band has played out with numerous national acts, including Lifehouse and Rusted Root.

And, now, they join the stage with three other Pittsburgh-based bands: Lohio, Meeting of Important People and City Dwelling Nature Seekers.

The Lohio sound is distinctly folk. Soft, passionate vocals wade alongside rich, complex instrumentals to create a collection of songs which alternate between entertainment and enlightenment.

Meeting of Important People hits the stage to deliver music that pops and rocks. High-range vocals, hard beats and sharp strumming are the essentials of the trio’s tunes.

Bluegrass best sums up the style of City Dwelling Nature Seekers. A little bit country, a little bit folk-filled-soul, this band’s music has a communal sentimentality and Americana feel.

The Hometown Music Fest is part of the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series. The series features free concert or musical events at various venues, including South Park Amphitheater, Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater and the courtyard of the Allegheny County Courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh.

So, even if you aren’t able to attend the Hometown Music Fest, there are many other great music events you’ll want to enjoy over the coming months.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will play outdoors at South Park Amphitheater on July 2, less than a week before the Pittsburgh CLO will entertain the venue’s audience with classic and contemporary showtunes on July 8.

Donnie Iris and the Cruisers close out the summer season at South Park Amphitheater on August 26.

Head out to Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater on July 10 for Dog Days. National act Good Brother Earl performs a set to conclude a fun-filled afternoon of activities with your pet.

Grammy award-winning folk artist Mary Chapin Carpenter will perform at Hartwood Acres on July 17.

Check out the Allegheny County website for more information on any of these acts, and for a list of other scheduled performers.