Wiz Khalifa to open shows at newest music venue
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Wiz will be our new music venue's opening act. Photo: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Pittsburgh's newest entertainment venue will host one of the region's most famous native sons — Wiz Khalifa — as its first act
Why it matters: Citizens Live at the Wylie is the first large entertainment venue to open in Pittsburgh since 2010 when Stage AE opened, and it's looking to start its run with a bang.
Driving the news: Khalifa will kick off the first show on Friday, Oct. 2, according to the initial Citizens Live at the Wylie lineup released Monday by Live Nation.
Flashback: Pittsburgh declared Dec. 12, 2012, as Wiz Khalifa Day and honored his song "Black And Yellow," which refers to the colors of the city's flag.
Zoom in: Styx, the rock band known for the Steelers' pump-up song "Renegade," will play on Oct. 3. Others include:
- Comedian Chelsea Handler, Oct. 9
- R&B supergroup Boyz II Men, Oct. 16
- Rock legend Sting, Nov. 6.
- Local dance parties Slappers N Bangers and Union will co-host an event on Jan. 16, 2027.
Between the lines: The new venue is helping attract artists who have never headlined a show in Pittsburgh, like GloRilla (Nov. 2), Matt Mathews (Oct. 8) and Freya Skye, according to Live Nation's Pittsburgh market president, Tom Loudermilk.
- "This is a special venue that will deliver unforgettable live music," Loudermilk said.
Zoom in: The 4,000-seat venue includes floor and balcony options, flexing for seated or standing shows.
- An on-site lounge called the Vinyl Room will feature Asian-inspired cuisine and cocktails.
- Citizens Live at the Wylie pays homage to Pittsburgh's historic Black communities with Charles "Teenie" Harris photographs and a mirrored piano hanging from the ceiling, a nod to the famous mirrored piano at the former Crawford Grill in Lower Hill.
Zoom out: The venue's completion this fall will mark the second success in the Lower Hill redevelopment effort, following the FNB Financial Center.
- City leaders hope to advance development plans for the rest of the neighborhood after the Pittsburgh Penguins' rights to development expired last year.
The full initial lineup can be viewed here.
What's next: Tickets for some shows go on sale Friday.