They say you never truly appreciate something until it’s gone.  In a perfect example of this, I didn’t realize how much I would miss attending concerts until Covid shut them down indefinitely.  I vowed to get to more shows as soon as it was safe, and I have been doing just that during the past few months. 

Live music fosters a unique sense of community that cannot be found anywhere else.  There’s nothing like a group of people who love the same music coming together to share in an incredible communal experience before dispersing.  The very best way to see live music performances is at small venues, where the intimate atmosphere allows you to feel completely immersed in the music and crowd. 

So come with me to visit a few of the area’s small venues.

Our first stop, located in the North Hills, is Jergel’s Rhythm Grill.   This menu prides itself on hosting performances that span many genres- from local acts to national tours to cover bands.  You can find music of some kind at Jergel’s almost every night of the week, and they also offer a restaurant with a full menu and a lovely outdoor patio.  Unfortunately we can’t stay at Jergel’s too long tonight, because we have a lot more ground to cover.  

Next, we’re heading into the city of Pittsburgh just in time to get in line for our show at Mr. Smalls Theater.  One of the most noticeable and interesting features of Mr. Smalls theater is certainly its location.  The main stage can be found within a repurposed Catholic church that was converted in 2000.  A cafe can be found on the same property.  We’re lucky we’ve arrived early for our show, because it’s not uncommon for the line to stretch down the porch of the building and across the sidewalk. 

The inside of the theater maintains a sense of the building’s history, with visible arched ceilings and interior wood paneling.  Shows are almost always general admission and standing room only, although patrons can purchase upgrades to sit at tables on the balcony.  One common thread between all these locations is that, at the very end of the show, you’ll often find attendees waiting by the stage for a chance to take home a setlist (one of the pieces of paper that are taped to the stage detailing what songs will be played that night).  However, we won’t be able to stay that long tonight, because it’s time to head to our next stop.  

Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall, appearing from the outside to be just another bar, is the sort of venue that one stumbles upon.  Attendees walk through a small hallway and down a staircase to find themselves suddenly inside the concert hall: a room with high ceilings and three levels.  The upper two levels feature tables to sit and watch the show while eating, and the first level has the stage and the standing section.  The band won’t be out for an hour or so, so feel free to check out the table of band merchandise while we wait.  By the time the show finally starts you’ll notice the crowd practically buzzing with excitement.  One benefit of small general admission venues over huge stadiums is the sensation of really being inside the crowd.  During the performance you’ll be able to hear everyone: people singing along, winding disposable cameras, or requesting a certain song from the band.

Our last stop is The Government Center, which is located on the North Side in Pittsburgh.  I have been buying records there for several months and always appreciated the store’s neat appearance and laid back ambience.  However, I  was unaware that they hosted live music performances until I stumbled upon one on a Friday night.  The Government Center is mainly a record store, but also provides a small stage for bands to play on.  The ability to buy records, listen to bands, or do both at the same time in the same building means that it’s the perfect place to discover new artists and broaden your musical horizons.

Well here we are, at the end of the night!  As any good concertgoer knows, make sure to get lots of sleep tonight, and don’t be surprised if you wake up tomorrow to feet that hurt from standing up or a voice that’s gone from singing along.  It’s all worth it in the end, however, to get a front row spot to see your favorite bands.