GZA, Donnie Iris, John Mayer among top concerts to see around Pittsburgh in March

As the weather starts to warm up, so too does the concert season for the Pittsburgh region. Here’s a look at the most notable shows coming to the area in March:

March’s top shows

March 3: Jerry Harrison, Adrian Belew at Roxian Theatre

Guitarist Adrian Belew joins Talking Heads co-founder and keyboardist Jerry Harrison to celebrate the 40th anniversary of “Remain in Light” — albeit a few years late because pandemic-related delays.

“They’re played a little differently because there are different people, but we try to be true to the spirit of it. That’s the main thing,” Belew said. “I know it’s not David Byrne and (original members Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth). Everyone knows that.

“All three of them have given their blessing to this, and they’re very happy that we’re out doing it.”

Read more: Tour celebrates Talking Heads’ ‘Remain in Light’ album 40 years on

March 10: GZA at Mr. Smalls

GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan will perform 1995’s “Liquid Swords,” his second solo album, at Mr. Smalls Theatre. General admission tickets are sold out, but limited tickets remain that include an opportunity to play chess against GZA.

”I get inspired by many different things. It can be an object, it can be a person; there were many things on my mind when I started working on this album,” GZA told Spin in 2015. “I really, really wanted to show my lyrical ability and my storytelling style and it felt like I had certain things to prove because of (promotional issues) in the past from the prior label I was on. So I felt that I needed to just slash back.”

Read more: GZA brings Shaolin styles to Yoshi’s Oakland

March 11: Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, The Clarks, The Vindys at UPMC Events Center

“King Cool” Donnie Iris will celebrate his 80th birthday with a show at UPMC Events Center. The Beaver County rocker, best known for “The Rapper,” “Ah Leah” and “Love is Like a Rock,” actually had his birthday on Feb. 28, but a few days late shouldn’t matter.

“Mick Jagger is like six months younger than me,” Iris said back in September. “But yeah, those guys are still doing it and I’m going to keep doing it too, man.”

Read more: Donnie Iris to celebrate 80th birthday with UPMC Events Center bash

March 18: John Mayer, JP Saxe at PPG Paints Arena

John Mayer is bringing his first solo acoustic tour to PPG Paints Arena, featuring a full acoustic set with some songs on electric guitar or piano.

“Solo Tour 2023. Just like the early days,” Mayer tweeted. “I’ll be playing old songs. Newer songs. Songs you haven’t heard yet that I’ll be road testing – all on acoustic, electric, and piano. Hope to see you there.”

Read more: John Mayer’s solo acoustic tour to stop in Pittsburgh

March 24: Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Jackson Dean at PPG Paints Arena

Country music star turned TV celebrity Blake Shelton visits Pittsburgh for the Back to the Honky Tonk Tour.

“I feel just as excited to step on stage and perform as I did the very first time,” he said in a press release. “I know my tour mates feel the same. Break out the hats and boots, ‘cause we’re going back to the honky tonk!”

Read more: Blake Shelton includes Pittsburgh stop on 2023 tour

Sold-out shows

March 7: Jessie Murph at Thunderbird Music Hall

The 18-year-old pop singer, with more than 8.6 million followers on TikTok, released her debut album, “drowning,” in February.

March 7: Fit For a King, Northlane, Alphawolf, Kingdom of Giants at Mr. Smalls

The Christian metalcore band released “The Hell We Create” in October, headlining a tour of the same name.

March 11: Dogs in a Pile, Hayley Jane at Club Cafe

Described as the culmination of a love of psychedelia, jazz, fusion, funk and rock & roll, Dogs in a Pile bring that eclectic mix to Pittsburgh.

March 18: Kelsea Ballerini, Georgia Webster at Stage AE

The country pop singer, who released her fourth studio album, “Subject to Change,” in September, brings her Heartfirst Tour to Pittsburgh.

March 30: Fozzy, Seventh Day Slumber, The Nocturnal Affair at Jergel’s

The heavy metal band, fronted by pro wrestler Chris Jericho, visits Warrendale on their spring tour.

Other notable shows

March 4: Everclear at Jergel’s

March 7: Lang Lang at Heinz Hall

March 10-11: KC & the Sunshine Band at Rivers Casino

March 12: Oak Ridge Boys at Palace Theatre

March 13: Crash Test Dummies at Palace Theatre

March 19: The Killers, Johnny Marr at Petersen Events Center

March 21: Yo La Tengo at Mr. Smalls

March 22: Tedeschi Trucks Band at UPMC Events Center

March 26: Sonny Landreth & Cindy Cashdollar, The Suitcase Junket at Thunderbird Music Hall

March 31: Brett Young, Morgan Evans, Ashley Cooke at Stage AE