HYBE Cheering Party in Pittsburgh-area theater, from October 24.

An upcoming HYBE Cheering Party will play in the Pittsburgh area from October 24 through October 31.

The heat of cheering for HYBE artists unfolds in cinemas! Sing along with your favorite HYBE Artists in 3D! A one-of-a-kind game-like cheering screening is coming, where fans can chant fan cheers and wave their light sticks while watching the music videos of BTS, SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM, &TEAM, BOYNEXTDOOR, TWS, ILLIT, KATSEYE, aoen, CORTIS, and SANTOS BRAVOS on the big screen. Join this unforgettable celebration filled with diverse music, passionate fan energy, and a dazzling wave of Light Sticks!

It plays locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront, and tickets are available online.

Filipino-Icelandic singer-songwriter Yaelokre performing in Pittsburgh, November 14.

Filipino-Icelandic singer-songwriter Yaelokre will perform in Pittsburgh on November 14.

If you ever feel as if music has lost its capacity for surprise, the beguiling wonder and infinite creativity of Yaelokre will respark your belief. The Filipino-Icelandic artist - real name Keath Ósk (they/it) - fuses three imaginative strands to their visionary expression: intimate, innocent folk infused with leftfield surrealism and instant pop accessibility; artwork which is intricately detailed and beautifully alluring; and storytelling which brings personal experience and poetry into rich, fable-like narratives. What’s more, all three of these elements are crafted by this one visionary artist.

The scale of the fantastical world they have created is vast, both in terms of narrative and lore. But its essence is relatively simple. The songs are set in the fictional world of Meadowlark and chart the adventures of four masked children who comprise a musical ensemble known at The Lark: Cole Seymour, Clémente Dearworth, Peregrine August, and Kingsley. They perform as representatives of The Harkers, mythical beings who express the fundamental principles of nature, wonder and chaos. What’s more, Yaelokre voices all of the different characters within their universe.

The show starts at 8:00 pm, doors at 7:00, at Mr. Smalls Theater in Millvale (map). Tickets are available online.

Music at Main: Album Listening Club – “KPop Demon Hunters” Movie Soundtrack, September 26 at Carnegie Library in Oakland.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main Branch is hosting "Music at Main: Album Listening Club – “KPop Demon Hunters” Movie Soundtrack" on September 26.

It’s like a book club, but for music! This month’s album is the “KPop Demon Hunters” Movie Soundtrack. We’ll play some tracks, talk about its history and share what the album means to us. Held in the North Wing Music Room.

It runs from 2:00 to 3:00 pm and is free and open to the public. The Main branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is located at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland (map), accessible by numerous city bus lines.

The Music of Studio Ghibli with Butler County Symphony Orchestra, October 3.

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Moon Doh will present "The Music of Studio Ghibli" on October 3.

Step into the imaginative worlds of Studio Ghibli through the unforgettable music of Joe Hisaishi, the composer behind My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and a remarkable run of Ghibli favorites across decades. Studio Ghibli’s official film pages credit Hisaishi on titles stretching from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Castle in the Sky through My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo, The Wind Rises, and The Boy and the Heron—a body of work that has helped define the emotional sound of the studio’s films. This program brings that music into the concert hall for an evening of wonder, nostalgia, tenderness, and adventure that will speak to longtime fans and first-time listeners alike.

Pre-Sale: Adults $39 Children/Students $20
At Door: Adults $45 Children/Students $25

All performances are held at the Butler Intermediate High School: 551 Fairground Hill Rd., Butler, PA, 16001

Contact the office at (724) 283-1402 to learn about discounts for groups of 10 or more. We also offer discounts for seniors, active or retired military, first responders, and educators.

The show runs from 7:30 to 9:30 pm and tickets are available online.

Singer-songwriter Lee Emi in Pittsburgh, November 7.

Singer-songwriter Lee Emi will perform in Pittsburgh on November 7.

Born in South Korea and raised in Michigan, singer-songwriter Lee Emi has performed her music for audiences across the country and overseas, using those experiences to add grit to her dark, thematic songwriting. Her indie-pop-rock music bears sharp teeth, leaning into the rawness of anger, grief, and self-doubt, weaving powerful melodies around potent lyrics that ask all of us: am I good enough?

Originally named Lee Sang-Eun and raised under the name Emilee Petersmark, Lee Emi began her career in 2010 as a primary songwriter and co-lead singer/guitarist in beloved West Michigan indie band, The Crane Wives. For the next 15 years, she would play bars, listening rooms, theatres, and concert venues across the continental US and release 5 studio records with the Crane Wives, all while quietly building a personal cache of songs that would eventually become her first solo record, DESTROY EVERYTHING, to be released in October 2026.

Doors open at 7:00 pm at the Thunderbird Cafe, show starts at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available online. The Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall is located at 4023 Butler St. in Lawrenceville (map).

Concert film BTS World Tour 'ARIRANG' in Buenos Aires: Live Viewing in Pittsburgh, October 24 and 25.

The upcoming concert film BTS World Tour 'ARIRANG' in Buenos Aires: Live Viewing will play in Pittsburgh on October 24 and 25.

The first-ever BTS Live Viewing broadcast from South America. Experience the BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' in cinemas worldwide, broadcasting from Buenos Aires, Argentina! Marking the first time the band has ever performed in Argentina, this monumental concert will bring the explosive energy of the packed stadium straight to the big screen.

It plays locally, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, Monroeville, and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Pittsburgh Taiko Beginners Workshop, September 20.

Pittsburgh Taiko is holding its second introductory workshop of the fall on Sunday, September 20.

Try taiko drumming with Pittsburgh Taiko!

Pittsburgh Taiko's beginner workshops give you a taste of taiko in a one-day, 2-hour format. These workshops are  designed for people who just want to give taiko a try, or folks who might be interested in joining our performing group. 

No experience is necessary! 

Taiko combines energetic hits with calm focus, balances group unity with individual expression, and requires both power and subtlety.  

Each workshop is a 2-hour introduction to taiko, including some taiko history and culture and focusing on hands-on basics. You’ll learn how to stand, how to hit, and some simple patterns that come together to make a percussion melody.  

Workshops are from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at our studio in Bellevue. The workshops are designed for adults and older kids (high school or older). 

Note that our studio is a masked space, and unfortunately it is not accessible to folks who can't climb stairs.

Please read the information at pittsburghtaiko.com/classes before registering.

Classes are held at 2 N Balph Ave, Bellevue, PA 15202, Second Floor (map). The cost is $30 for Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania members and students, and $40 for the general public. Space is limited and as of this post there are six spots remaining. 

Concert film SB19 Wakas at Simula: The Trilogy Concert Finale In Cinemas, with Filipino boy band SB19, in Pittsburgh October 8 and 11.

The upcoming concert film SB19 Wakas at Simula: The Trilogy Concert Finale In Cinemas, following Filipino boy band SB19, will play in Pittsburgh on October 8 and 11.

From the Philippines to the world, SB19’s historic Wakas at Simula: The Trilogy Concert Finale comes to cinemas worldwide. Captured before a record breaking crowd of nearly 100,000 fans, the film showcases the group’s biggest hits, spectacular production, and world class performances that have made SB19 one of Asia’s most influential acts. Presented in SCREENX and 4DX, audiences can experience the scale, sound, and energy of the concert like never before. Experience the power of GENTO, What?, and DAM as the Philippines’ biggest pop phenomenon takes over the big screen in an unforgettable celebration of music, fandom, and legacy. More than a concert film, it is the story of a movement– one built by five artists, millions of fans, and a dream that helped redefine Filipino music for a new generation.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Jasmine M. Cho's The K-pop Kitchen book launch event, with Kpop dance workshop and Random Play Dance, October 9.

Join local artist and author Jasmine M. Cho for the launch of her new book The K-pop Kitchen on October 9 at Level Up Studios, followed by a Kpop dance workshop and a Random Play Dance party. The event runs from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, including a book signing from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, a Kpop Dance Workshop from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, and a Random Play Dance Kpop Dance Party from 8:00 to 9:00 pm. And, each purchase of the book, either at the event or pre-ordered, enters you into an entry for one dozen custom cookies made by Jasmine. (More details are available at her social media post.) RSVP required. Level Up Studios is a dance studio located at 4836 Penn Ave. in Bloomfield (map).

More about the book, from Jasmine's website:

Korean Recipes and Idol Fun Facts for Fans of Kpop Demon Hunters, BLACKPINK, BTS, and More

I wrote this cookbook for fans of K-pop who want to learn more about Korean culture and its food <3

Loaded with delicious Korean dishes that K-pop groups like BTS, TWICE, H.O.T., and HUNTR/X would enjoy on and off the stage, The K-pop Kitchen presents recipes for delicious Korean snacks, meals, and treats that define the most iconic elements of South Korean culture.

Slurp up some delicious preshow ramyeon, heat up some voice-soothing samgyetang, or explore the lineage of K-pop with recipes from the Joseon Dynasty. For a quick snack inspired by street food from Seoul, learn how to make gimbap, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), or Korean corn dogs. And don’t forget a treat: From hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes) to bingsu (Korean shaved ice), this book will transport you backstage as you make delicious meals at home.

Documentary Always Lalisa in Pittsburgh area, October 14 and 17.

An upcoming documentary Always Lalisa, following Blackpink's Lisa, will play in the Pittsburgh area on October 14 and 17.

Always Lalisa is a feature-length documentary following global superstar LISA during a transformative year away from Blackpink, the K-pop phenomenon that made her one of the world's most recognizable performers. As the group pauses activities, LISA embarks on the first true chapter of her solo career, confronting the question of who she is beyond Blackpink. The film follows LISA as she writes, records, and releases her debut solo album, Alter Ego, makes her acting debut in the third season of The White Lotus, and prepares for her first major solo performance at the 2025 Coachella Music Festival. Born and raised in Thailand, LISA left home at fourteen to train in South Korea's demanding K-pop system, ultimately rising to global superstardom. But forging her own path, particularly in the Western music market, brings new pressures, relentless scrutiny, and the challenge of redefining herself on her own terms. Intimate, emotional, and revealing, Always Lalisa captures an artist at a crossroads, documenting a year of risk, reinvention, and self-discovery as LISA begins to define not only her next chapter, but the woman and artist she wants to become.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Monroeville, and tickets are available online.

Two performances of KPOP WARRIORS LIVE at Kelly Strayhorn Theater, September 12.

Kelly Strayhorn Theater will host two performances of KPOP WARRIORS LIVE on September 12.

Get ready for an unforgettable live experience with KPOP WARRIORS LIVE:  a high-energy, family-friendly show packed with music, dance, acrobatics, comedy, and spectacular stage performances!

Step into a colorful world inspired by the excitement of K-pop, where powerful choreography, dazzling costumes, dynamic characters, and nonstop entertainment come together in one action-packed production.

Featuring talented dancers, circus performers, interactive games, fun surprises, and audience participation, KPOP WARRIORS keeps kids and families engaged from beginning to end.

Young fans will love seeing their favorite K-pop-inspired heroes come to life on stage, while parents will enjoy a fast-paced show filled with humor, energy, and memorable moments for the whole family.

Perfect for K-pop fans, young audiences, and families looking for a unique live entertainment experience.

Don’t miss KPOP WARRIORS LIVE – music, action, comedy, and adventure all in one incredible show!

Tickets are available online. The Kelly-Strayhorn Theater's Alloy Studios is located at 5530 Penn Ave. in East Liberty (map). 

NCT 127 5TH TOUR ‘NEO CITY : SEOUL - THE REDLINE’ in CINEMAS in Pittsburgh, September 20.

The concert film NCT 127 5TH TOUR ‘NEO CITY : SEOUL - THE REDLINE’ in CINEMAS will play in the Pittsburgh area on September 20.

NCT 127 5TH TOUR ‘NEO CITY : SEOUL - THE REDLINE’ in CINEMAS brings the explosive opening of NCT 127’s long -awaited return to the big screen through a special live viewing event in theaters around the world. Marking the group’s first tour in a year and eight months, this event captures the scale, energy, and electrifying performances of NCT 127 as they kick off a new chapter of NEO CITY in Seoul. Broadcast live from KSPO DOME, audiences worldwide are invited to experience the intensity of the concert in a cinematic setting, taking in every moment of the setlist, staging, and onstage charisma with fans across the globe. For NCTzens and K -pop audienc es alike, this cinematic experience is a chance to witness the heat of THE REDLINE together, beyond borders, on the biggest screen possible.

It plays locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Tuvan throat singers Alash Ensemble return to Pittsburgh, October 15.

Tuvan throat singers Alash Ensemble will return to Pittsburgh on October 15.

ALASH ensemble is a trio of master throat singers (xöömeizhi) from Tuva, a tiny republic in the heart of Inner Asia. The ancient art of throat singing (xöömei) developed among the nomadic herdsmen of this region. Alash remains grounded in this tradition while expanding its musical vocabulary with new ideas from the West.

The group will perform at the First Unitarian Church in Shadyside (map) from 8:00 pm. Tickets are available for purchase in-person at Caliban Book Shop (Oakland), Jerry's Records (Squirrel Hill), Vinyl Remains (Mt. Lebanon), Government Center Records (North Side), and Pleasant Dreams Records (Polish Hill), or online via Humanitix (charges 10% service fee).

Taiwanese musician Nini Music performing in Pittsburgh area (New Kensington), October 20.

Taiwanese musician Nini Music will perform in the Pittsburgh area on October 20 as part of her "East Goes West 2026" tour. From her official website, describing her as a "musical shapeshifter":

Nini, a distinguished musician hailing from Taiwan, has dedicated over two decades to mastering and performing traditional Chinese folk instruments. Her extensive experience has taken her on tours across Europe, the USA, Canada, China, Japan, and throughout her homeland. Nini's innovative approach to music involves playing genres such as heavy metal, rock, and EDM on traditional instruments like the Ruan, Liuqin, and San Xian. She also performs on a unique electric lute known as the DaoYu, which she uses to create a distinctive and modern sound that bridges cultural and musical boundaries.

The shows starts at 7:00 pm and tickets are available online. Preserving Underground is located at 1101 5th Ave., roughly 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh (map).

Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi, September 20 at Omni William Penn Hotel.

The Omni William Penn Hotel will host a Candlelight Concert on September 20, The Best of Joe Hisaishi.

⭐ Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Pittsburgh. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Joe Hisaishi at Omni William Penn Hotel under the gentle glow of candlelight.

JADED presents PONY UP, Year of the Fire Horse Celebration, June 20 in Lawrenceville.

JADED Pittsburgh, the city's first Asian American & Pacific Island (AAPI) artist collective, will present PONY UP, a concert in celebration of the Year of the Fire Horse, on June 20.

PONY UP is a festival along the Allegheny River ft. performances, live music, and AAPI vendors sharing art, food, & services.

JADED presents PONY UP to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse. On the cusp of the summer solstice, we will harness the power of the sun to uncover our wildest and most unnameable desires. We seek to enliven ways before and beyond the forces of capitalism, fascism, and imperialism that have conspired to deaden our dreaming. What spiritual traditions and collective rituals can give us strength to return ourselves to ourselves? To dance, to scream, to nourish, to mourn, to ghost, to river, to attune to what has been attenuated. To take the reins and pony UP.

🐴🐴PERFORMER LINEUP🐴🐴
LEXCD
FORMOSA
Viii Dorsey
Philophilm
412 Step
Monkey Wenches LLC

We're also looking for volunteers, which includes a free ticket to the event. Help us make this party a reality! Sign up here.

Tickets are available online. The event will be held at Tree Pittsburgh,located at 32 62nd St in Lawrenceville (map). 

Korean pansori pop band Leenalchi (이날치) in Pittsburgh, November 2.

The Korean pansori pop band Leenalchi (이날치) will perform in Pittsburgh on November 2, part of its world tour spanning Canada, the US, Europe, and an August show in Incheon. A brief biography, from the band's official site:

Imagine a musical version of Hamlet set to a juicy, tripped-out bass hook.

The psychedelic riffs are courtesy of Jang Young Gyu (that’s Mr. Jang to you), Leenalchi’s enigmatic leader. Born in 1968, Mr. Jang has witnessed the unprecedented popularity of Korean culture reach every corner of the planet from within. Even on this EP, you’ll find evidence of that reach in their cover of “Let’s Live for Today” by Los Angeles rock band, The Grass Roots. Leenalchi’s version was originally recorded for Kagonada’s acclaimed adaptation of Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel, Pachinko, and was used as the theme song in the final episode.

In a landscape dominated by the K-pop industry, Mr. Jang represents the country’s small but dedicated indie music scene; he is also a prestigious film composer, scoring soundtracks for some of Korea’s most celebrated movies like Train to Busan, The Wailing, and The Good, the Bad, the Weird.

The band performs at 8:00 pm at the Warhol Museum, part of its Sound Series. Tickets are available online. The Andy Warhol Museum is located at 117 Sandusky Street on the North Shore (map).

Japanese rock band Nemophila in Pittsburgh, July 4.

The Japanese rock band Nemophila will play in Pittsburgh on July 4, part of their North American tour.

NEMOPHILA’s music can be described as a mixture of various styles ranging from loud rock to grunge. The band displays a sound heavier than hell, while presenting a soft and gentle-cute character at the same time.

The band aims to exhibit an unpredictable mixture in their appearance and fashion along with a positive heavy metal sound bringing a smile to everyone around the world!

They will play at Crafthouse Stage & Grill in Whitehall (map), and tickets are available online.

Artist in Exile: Mai Khôi & the Dissidents farewell show, July 8 at City of Asylum and online.

City of Asylum will present Artist in Exile: Mai Khôi & the Dissidents (Vietnamese Pop) on July 8.

Pittsburgh’s resident pop star and powerhouse Mai Khôi is leaving the city and starting her next chapter in Philadelphia—but not without a rockin’ farewell show. The alumna City of Asylum Artist-in-Residence returns with her group, the Dissidents.

Mai Khôi & the Dissidents was originally formed in 2016 with Vietnamese musicians, but the group was forced to disband due to government pressure. Khôi herself fled to the US in 2019, where she has lived in exile ever since. In 2021, she re-formed Mai Khôi & the Dissidents with American musicians, alongside pianist and composer Mark Micchelli. The new band features prominent members of Pittsburgh’s jazz, experimental music, and activist communities. For this performance, Mark and Khôi have composed and arranged a powerful style of music that reflects the turmoil of the world and the hope that continues to shine.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Mai and Mark in their farewell show and give them a warm sendoff!

The concert runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Alphabet City on the North Side (map) and online. Registration for both modalities is required and can be completed online.

Korean bluegrass band Country Gongbang in Pittsburgh, June 13.

The Korean bluegrass band Country Gongbang will play in Pittsburgh on June 13, part of the Three Rivers Arts Festival.

Country Gongbang is South Korea’s first and only bluegrass band, pioneering a distinctive blend of contemporary bluegrass with K‑pop sensibilities. Singing in both English and Korean, the group bridges musical cultures while carving out a unique voice in the global bluegrass scene.

In 2023, Country Gongbang received the International Band Performance Grant from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), recognizing their groundbreaking artistry. The award led to their historic 2024 U.S. tour, where they performed at major venues and festivals, including the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville—becoming the first Korean band to perform on its iconic stage.

In 2025, the group was nominated for the IBMA Momentum Awards for Band of the Year and Vocalist of the Year, marking a historic milestone for a Korean bluegrass ensemble.

The band features Yebin Kim (mandolin, lead vocals), Hyunho Jang (banjo), Jongsu Yoon (fiddle), Sunjae Won (guitar), and Keeha Song (bass).

Blending tradition with bold innovation, Country Gongbang brings a vibrant new perspective to bluegrass music.

“South Korea’s Country Gongbang demonstrates that the basics of bluegrass aren’t limited exclusively to the realms of the western world.”
— Bluegrass Today

 The show runs from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at Dollar Bank Stage @ Arts Landing.