When You Can See Sugarhill Gang, Ben Folds and More, for Free, This Summer
This year’s slate of Three Rivers Arts Festival headliners includes returning favorites and marquee names.
The last two nights of this year’s Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival feature two of the most lauded artists in the celebrated festival’s history.
On Saturday, June 8, hip-hop pioneers Sugarhill Gang and the Furious Five will perform Downtown as part of the annual festival. The former group, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, are credited with the first true hip-hop single, “Rapper’s Delight.” Founding members Wonder Mike and Master Gee will perform with the group, alongside fellow trailblazers the Furious Five, fellow Hall of Famers featuring “The Message” MC Melle Mel.
The following night, master songwriter Ben Folds returns to Pittsburgh for a night of his Paper Airplane Request Tour. The pianist, who has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in the past, will invite fans to write song requests on paper airplanes and loft them toward the stage. (Hopefully there’s no bad weather on Sunday, June 9.) Folds’ appearance was “spoiled” several weeks ago when the Paper Airplanes Request Tour announcement included a date at the Arts Festival.
Other featured artists at the 10-day festival include Los Lonely Boys, Doom Flamingo and more. A full lineup of music, visual arts and exhibitions will be announced in April. Find the lineup of headliners below.
Friday, May 31 — Pokey LaFarge
Saturday, June 1 — Los Lonely Boys
Sunday, June 2 — Martha Redbone Roots Project
Monday, June 3 — Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Tuesday, June 4 — Nicole Zuraitis
Wednesday, June 5 — Ozomatli
Thursday, June 6 — Say She She
Friday, June 7 — Doom Flamingo
Saturday, June 8 — Sugarhill Gang and the Furious Five
Sunday, June 9 — Ben Folds
