Events Archive
Over the years, AB Tech has had the pleasure of working with a number of major acts, although they weren’t necessarily that big at the time. This list covers major shows produced in whole or part by Tech since its creation.
2024
- Ruel, Flyana Boss and Lyn LapidApril 13Wiegand GymAB Spring Concert.
- Bill NyeApril 11McConomyAB Speakers. Sold out within minutes!
- Audrey NunaFebruary 2Studio TheaterAB Winter Concert.
2023
- The Driver Era and almost mondayNovember 11Wiegand GymAB Fall Concert.
- Brittany BroskiNovember 7McConomyAB Speakers.
- Live Comedy Night with Devon Walker, Punkie Johnson and Michael LongfellowOctober 30McConomyAB Speakers.
- Stephanie HsuApril 23McConomyAB Lectures.
- COIN and Bren JoyApril 15The CutAB Spring Concert. The first outdoor concert since the pandemic!
- Melissa VillasenorApril 13McConomyAB Comedy.
- Allegheny County Executive DebateFebruary 18McConomyUniversity Events.
- Tiffany DayFebruary 10RangosAB Winter Concert.
2022
- Jennette McCurdyNovember 4McConomyAB Lectures.
- IMO X Brummies X JordyOctober 28RangosFirst Tartan Turn it Up Concert.
- Peach Tree RascalsOctober 8Wiegand GymAB Fall Concert.
- Dominic FikeApril 28McConomyAB Lectures.
- Max GreenfieldApril 21McConomyAB Lectures.
- MAX and Noah KahanApril 9Wiegand GymAB Concerts. The highest attended concert since WALK THE MOON. An all-out comeback post-COVID.
- Janelle JamesApril 7McConomyAB Comedy.
2021
- Ronny ChiengNovember 21McConomyAB Lectures.
- CupcakkeNovember 13Wiegand GymAB Concerts.
- Gaten MatarazzoNovember 11McConomyAB Lectures.
- Maude LatourSeptember 24The MallAB Concerts. First guest act since COVID-19.
- Bishop Ivy and CMU Independent Musicians OrganizationApril 16The MallAB Concerts. Our first large performance since COVID-19.
2020
- Hannah HartMarch 4McConomyAB Lectures.
2019
- mxmtoonNovember 13The UndergroundAB Underground.
- Antoni PorowskiNovember 6McConomyAB Lectures. Cooking demo with a full house.
- Smallpools and GnashNovember 2Wiegand GymAB Concerts. Our first large concert with bands in a long time.
- Michelle WolfOctober 25RangosComedy event for the inaugural Tartan Community Day.
- BülowSeptember 6Baker LawnAB Coffeehouse. Outdoor show with a truck stage.
- DRAM and VanicApril 13Wiegand GymAB Concerts. Green confetti and broccoli.
- Jimmy O. YangApril 11McConomyAB Comedy.
- Injury Reserve and Jez DiorMarch 22Studio TheaterAB Coffeehouse.
- Grant ImaharaMarch 20McConomyAB Lectures. Full house.
- Josh PeckJanuary 30McConomyAB Lectures.
2018
- Snakehips and Social HouseNovember 3Wiegand GymAB Concerts.
- Tepper Quad Grand OpeningSeptember 13Tepper QuadGrand opening celebration for the Tepper Quad.
- ElephanteAugust 31Studio TheaterAB Coffeehouse.
- WaleApril 21The CutAB Concerts. Our first concert outdoors in a long time and the original opener dropped out last minute.
- Phoebe BridgersApril 12The UndergroundAB Underground.
- LovelythebandMarch 5The UndergroundAB Underground.
- Casey NeistatFebruary 6McConomyAB Lectures.
2017
- For the FoundersNovember 9Various LocationsCMU's 50th anniversary celebration.
- Cashmere Cat and Hotel GarudaOctober 28Wiegand GymAB Concerts. Salmon pink...salmon pink everywhere...
- AudienSeptember 1Studio TheaterAB Coffeehouse.
- Nghtmre and San HoloApril 22Wiegand GymAB Concerts. 4 foot disco ball and lots of pyro.
- Laverne CoxApril 13Wiegand GymAB Lectures.
- TOKiMONSTAJanuary 29Studio TheaterAB Coffeehouse.
2016
- Eric AndreNovember 17McConomyAB Comedy: Sasha chugged an entire liter of ranch.
- ILoveMakonnenNovember 12Wiegand GymAB Concerts.
- Denzel CurryOctober 15Studio TheaterAB Coffeehouse.
- Louis the ChildSeptember 2Studio TheaterAB Coffeehouse. Par grid.
- Black Tie StereoAugust 27RangosAB Underground goes above ground.
- Griz and Dan DeaconApril 15Wiegand GymAB Spring Concert.
- Joywave and Beauty SlapJanuary 15RangosAB Coffeehouse.
2015
- Danny BrownNovember 14Wiegand GymAB Fall Concert.
- Nathan for YouNovember 9McConomyAB Comedy.
- The MowglisSeptember 8RangosAB Coffeehouse.
- Matt & Kim and RJD2April 18Baker LawnAB Spring Concert.
- International Championships of Collegiate A CappellaFebruary 28McConomyCMU hosts the Great Lakes ICCAs for the second time.
2014
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.November 17RangosAB Coffeehouse. Giant inflated ball and incandescent light bulb letters
- Walk the MoonNovember 13CUC GymAB Fall Concert. Shut up and dance!
- Mac Miller and Icona PopApril 12Baker LawnAB Spring Concert. Transforming truck stage and LED wall...I love it!
- Hannibal BuressApril 10Midway TentAB Carnival Comedian.
2013
- SmallpoolsNovember 24The UndergroundAB Underground.
- President Suresh's InaugurationNovember 24RangosCampus wide celebration to welcome President Suresh
- Timeflies w/ Chiddy BangNovember 8UC GymAB Fall Concert. LED Wall!
- Lupe FiascoApril 19UC GymAB Spring Concert. Ludacris cancelled on us for a movie shooting.
- Judah FriedlanderApril 18Midway TentAB Carnival Comedian, known for his role as Frank on NBC's 30 Rock.
- International Championships of Collegiate A CappellaFebruary 2McConomyCMU hosts the Great Lakes ICCAs for the first time.
2012
- Sleigh BellsNovember 8UC GymAB Fall Concert.
- Laura Stevenson and the CansApril 28The UndergroundAB Underground concert.
- Keep Shelly in AthensApril 25The UndergroundAB Underground concert. CMU was the first stop after the band finished playing both weekends of Coachella.
- Passion Pit (w/ Donora)April 21Baker LawnSpring Carnival concert. Rain during most of load in didn't stop the show from happening outdoors, which drew a massive crowd of thousands. Dozens and dozens of crowdsurfers, condom balloons, and an epic fireworks display during the encore made for quite a night.
- BetatraXx (w/ DJ Strobe)April 20UC GymAB Coffeehouse danceparty. Lightwave International ups the bar again and brings every laser left in their inventory that isn't at the Coachella Music Festival, while Tech complements it with a dazzling intelligent & LED rig on the brand new Road Hog.
- Nick Offerman (w/ Streeter Seidell)April 19Carnival TentAB Comedian. A well-received opener followed by a very long set by the main act that bordered on being more of an AB Lecture.
- Kevin Wu (KevJumba)April 12Doherty HallAB Lectures. A packed lecture hall full of rabid Asian girls flocking to catch a glimpse of the YouTube superstar.
- Zach WeinerFebruary 16McConomyAB Lectures. The Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal guy.
2011
- Tokyo Police Club (w/ 1, 2, 3)November 12UC GymAB Fall Concert. Tech brings in over 10kW of LEDs and drowns the audience in blinding colors.
- RAC (Remix Artist Collective)October 31RangosLightwave International returns for a Halloween show redux, with four lasers this time. Before the show, the operator demonstrates how powerful the concentrated beam from one emitter is – burning a hole through a one-dollar bill folded in half twice in a couple seconds!
- Annie SprinkleSeptember 21McConomyAB Lectures. Former prostitute, stripper, and porn star gives an explicit lecture about sex, but is informed by the AB Main chair that performing the topless "Bosom Ballet" in her script wouldn't be such a great idea.
- GusterSeptember 7Baker LawnSurprise concert (and fireworks show) held to celebrate the announcement of a $265M donation to CMU by William Dietrich, which is apparently enough to clear the skies of rain.
- The Hood InternetSeptember 4RangosAB Coffeehouse show. Some intoxicated and shirtless Pitt gentlemen find their way onto the subs and stage for the entertainment of the audience.
- Nosaj Thing (w/ Starkey)April 24RangosAB Coffeehouse show. Dubstep proves to be more than the Rosco 4500 Fogger can handle, which in its final moments pumps a gallon of unfogged fog juice onto the stage.
- Eddie GriffinApril 15Carnival TentAB Comedian. After consuming an entire bottle of champagne on stage, he grabs his wired SM58 by the cable, swings it over his head, and slams it into the stage -- not 10 seconds after the FoH engineer decides it would be a good idea to enable the compressor on that channel.
- Big Boi (w/ Brother Ali)April 14CFA LawnSpring Carnival concert, Hollowood gets admonished for being too loud while some PhD students were taking an exam during soundcheck.
- Titus AndronicusFebruary 13RangosAB Coffeehouse concert
2010
- Dr. Dog w/ Sondre LercheNovember 20UC GymAB Fall Concert
- Switch (from Major Lazer)October 31RangosLightwave International provides 42 watts of lasers for an epic Halloween show, Tech joins the fray and dances in a packed house.
- White PandaSeptember 17RangosAB Coffeehouse show, first large dance party with the new VL2500 moving light rig.
- Frank WarrenApril 26UC GymAB Lectures. The PostSecret guy.
- The Black Keys (w/ mewithoutYou)April 16UC GymSpring Concert
- Michael Ian Black and Michael ShowalterApril 15Carnival TentAB Comedians
- Sleigh BellsApril 7CFA Alumni Concert HallThe full KUDO rig had plaster raining from the ceiling, while the entire crowd attempted to get onstage (many were successful), which caused the lead singer's mic to get unplugged and forced an a capella encore.
2009
- Aesop Rock (w/ The Cool Kids)November 14UC GymAB Fall Concert
- RevisionOctober 18RangosJazz-rock-funk trio
- Black Moth Super RainbowApril 25CFA LawnAB Coffeehouse concert
- The New Pornographers (w/ Ted Leo and the Pharmacists)April 17CFA LawnSpring Concert
- Zach GalifianakisApril 16Carnival TentComedian
- Frightened RabbitJanuary 26RangosAB Coffeehouse concert
2008
- RJD2November 15UC GymAB Fall Concert
- Amon TobinApril 20RangosAB Coffeehouse concert
- The RootsApril 17CFA LawnSpring Concert
2007
- Broken Social SceneNovember 10UC GymAB Fall Concert
- Randall MonroeNovember 9UC GymThe xkcd guy
- MSTRKRFTOctober 31RangosHalloween dance party, extremely bad-ass.
- Spoon (w/ Oakley Hall and Weird Paul)April 20CFA LawnSpring Concert
- Demetri MartinApril 19UC GymComedian
- DeerhunterApril 3The Underground
- Trans AmFebruary 23Doherty Hall
2006
- Blackalicious and Andrew BirdNovember 10UC GymAB Fall Concert
- Microwaves and Magic WolfSeptember 16The Underground
- Big City Rock, Phantom Planet, The Secret MachinesApril 21UC GymSpring Concert. Raincalled to the gym. Large turnout for Phantom Planet, but the crowd dwindled during The Secret Machines.
2005
- The ShinsApril 15CFA LawnSecond year beautiful weather for the AB Carnival Band. Techies prepare for the worst in 2006.
- Ralphie MayApril 14Carnival TentAB Comedy Carnival
- MirahFebruary 16The Underground
2004
- Chef MorimotoNovember 5McConomyTV's "Iron Chef" performs a cooking demo
- Michael MooreOctober 26UC GymAB Political Speakers. Documentry film maker.
- Rebecca WalkerSeptember 29McConomyAB Lecture: "I'm actually not sure who this is, but McConomy is a big room..."
- Evan and JaronApril 25The Underground
- N.E.R.DApril 16CFA LawnAB sponsored Carnival band, on CFA Lawn
- Mitch HedbergApril 15Carnival Tent
- Magdalen Hsu-LiFebruary 28Drill Deck
2003
- The Ataris with Vendetta RedOctober 20Weigand GymAB Fall concert
- Kim PhucApril 29McConomyThe girl in the picture
- Robocup American OpenMay 1RangosLighting in Rangos for robotic soccer tournament.
- Jurassic 5April 12Weigand GymAB sponsored Carnival band, in the Gym.
- They Might Be GiantsApril 11Weigand GymCarnival band in the gym. Opened by Yves Jean.
- Dave AttellApril 10Carnival TentCarnival comedian.
- Godspeed You! Black EmperorMarch 31RangosAB Coffeehouse. Very packed Rangos show.
- Kevin MitnickMarch 18RangosMost Famous Hacker lectures in Rangos.
- Susie BrightMarch 4RangosAB Special Events. Sex week keynote speaker.
- Ted RallFebruary 24McConomyAB Political Speakers. Noted Political Cartoonist.
2002
- Matt BessnerDecember 2McConomyAB Comedy. Star of Upright Citizens Brigade.
- Hot Rod CircuitNovember 23The UndergroundThe Underground is packed, again.
- Atom and his PackageNovember 9The UndergroundThe Underground is packed.
- Ben FoldsOctober 26RangosAB Concert in Rangos.
- The Hope ConspiracyOctober 19HighlanderAB Coffeehouse. Required a row of techies to keep Scorp from being pushed over.
- Dr. Howard ZinnSeptember 23RangosAB Lectures. Sold out (or nearly so) for an educational lecture.
- FishboneMay 3RangosAB Concerts. Fiesta de Primavera show, too cold to hold outside and too loud to hold inside.
- G. Love (and Special Sauce?)April 20Wiegand Gym
- Reel Big FishApril 19Wiegand GymCrowd Barrier sides with the audience halfway through the show.
- Randy KaganApril 17Carnival TentAB Comedian with an act that involved stapling things to his head.
- Les Savy FavApril 10HighlanderAB Coffeehouse. Highlander becomes a venue.
- Bruce CampbellMarch 18McConomyAB Lectures. Star of the Evil Dead series.
- Jon StewartMarch 16Soldiers and Sailors HallScheduling disaster forces us to run a stand-up show.
- Jim BruerFebruary 25RangosAB Comedy. "Donner 308. Come smoke with us!"
2001
- Henry RollinsNovember 12McConomyFormer rock star does spoken word.
- The ClarksSeptember 21CFA LawnAnne Witchner wanted them, so she got them.
- SuperchunkApril 29CFA LawnPart of the Rock 'n Roll Film Fest and AB Coffeehouse.
- FugaziApril 21Carnival TentAB Concert: Rain-call and moved to the Carnival Tent.
- Jump Little Children with New Invisible JoyApril 20Carnival TentCarnival concert.
- Magnetic FieldsApril 12McConomyWith a line extending to Forbes Avenue.
- Dar WilliamsMarch 12RangosAB Concerts/Women's Center show.
- Judy SheppardMarch 21McConomy
- New DealFebruary 11The Underground
- Keller WilliamsFebruary 1The UndergroundPopular entertainer.
2000
- Lewis BlackDecember 4McConomy
- Elliot SmithOctober 31RangosAB Coffeehouse. Screwed by a promoter. Lead singer comes in dressed as Jesus.
- SkatellitesOctober 28RangosCo-sponsored by AB Concerts. International Festival/Family Weekend.
- Al GoreOctober 27The MallAB Political Speakers.
- Jerry SpringerOctober 26McConomyAB Political Speakers. "I hope to never see any of you on my show."
- VersusOctober 23McConomyAB Coffeehouse.
- Blues TravelerOctober 20The MallCo-sponsored by AB Concerts. Homecoming/midsemester break show.
- Godspeed You! Black EmperorOctober 9McConomyAB Coffeehouse.
- Ralph NaderSeptember 26RangosAB Lecture. Sellout crowd.
- Mike NelsonSeptember 18McConomyAB Lecture.
- Silkworm and Karl Hendricks TrioSeptember 11McConomy
- Rusted RootSeptember 8Orientation TentAB Concert. Quick stage strike from in front of CFA Lawn due to rain concerns.
- Mad Professor with New DealMay 6Merson CourtyardAB Concert. "I'm a sound engineer, mahn!"
- The SlipApril 25The UndergroundAB Underground.
- Buddy Brown ShowApril 15Carnival TentCarnival concert.
- El Diablo and Ritual Space Travel AgencyApril 15Carnival Side StageCarnival concert.
- Strangefolk with MeropoixApril 15The MallAB Concert.
- Buzz Poets with WadeApril 14Carnival TentCarnival concert.
- QuiddityApril 14Carnival Side Stage"Last show" for a popular student band.
- Eddie Ifft and Gary GreenburghApril 13Carnival TentCarnival comedy.
- Cat PowerApril 10McConomyAB Coffeehouse show.
- Jane GoodallApril 4Weigand GymAB Lecture.
- Keller WilliamsMarch 23The UndergroundAB Underground. First ever packed Underground show.
- X-ecutionersJanuary 21RangosAB techno show.
1999
- World ColorOctober 14RangosInternational Festival Band
- The Bevis FrondSeptember 22McConomyAB Coffeehouse concert
- Laughing ColorsSeptember 6Orientation TentLabor Day concert
- The ClarksApril 30RangosFiesta Primavera Concert
- Soul Coughing with Angry SaladApril 16Old GymSpring Carnival Concert
- Douglas AdamsApril 9RangosAB Tech "special forces"
- Operation Re-InformationMarch 11Rangos
- Susie BrightFebruary 13DH 2315Sex Week Lecture
- Dr. Ruth WestheimerFebruary 11McConomySex Week Lecture
1998
- Black StarNovember 21Rangos
- Jazz Mandolin ProjectOctober 22Mellon Institute
- Fugazi with Burning Airlines and QuixoticMay 2RangosWRCT benefit concert
- John Spencer's Blues ExplosionApril 18The MallSpring Carnival concert.
- Galactic and the Charlie Hunter TrioApril 18The MallSpring Carnival concert.
- Dharma Sons and the Ike McCoy BandApril 17Carnival TentSpring Carnival concert sponsored by the Spring Carnival Committee.
- Norm MacDonaldJanuary 24Rangos
1997
- Henry RollinsNovember 19McConomySpoken word performance to a sellout crowd.
- They Might Be Giants w/ LincolnNovember 7RangosSellout crowd. Made discovery that Rangos is very springy.
- Andy RichterNovember 3RangosSellout crowd.
- Tainted CandyOctober 31Wiegand GymWRCT fundraiser consisting of 12 punk bands, including Operation Re-Information and Don Caballero.
- Sleeping GiantsOctober 17Margaret Morrisson HallHomecoming concert
- PushSeptember 5Fraternity Quad
- The ClarksAugust 22Orientation TentFreshman Orientation concert
- Letters to Cleo with Angry SaladApril 12Skibo GymSpring Carnival concert
- The Clarks and Brownie MaryApril 11Carnival TentSpring Carnival concert sponsored by Spring Carnival Committee
1996
- The Mighty Mighty Bosstones with Cherry Poppin DaddiesThe CutSprint Carnival concert
1995
- Yo La TengoCarnival TentSpring Carnival concert with lots of rain.
- Michael McClure & Ray Manserek
1994
- BellyThe CutSpring Carnival concert
- John Wesley Harding
1993
- Ladysmith Black MambazoSkibo BallroomPart of the International Festival on Africa
- LiveThe CutSpring Carnival concert
- Denny Dent
- The RamonesSkibo Ballroom
- Tom AcoustiSeveral performances, in Skibo Ballrom, Mellon Institute auditorium, and other places.
1992
- De La SoulSkibo Ballroom
- Jake JohannsenThe CutSpring Carnival comedian.
- They Might Be GiantsSkibo GymSpring Carnival concert.
- EMFSkibo BallroomCo-sponsored with Decesar Engler.
1991
- Ocean BlueCarnival TentSpring Carnival band
- Billy PriceThe MallHumanities & Social Sciences picnic
- Turtle Island String QuartetFebruary 1Skibo Ballroom
- Winter Solstice TourCarnegie Music HallLiz Story, Philip Aaberg, and others
- Jimmy CliffSkibo Ballroom
1990
- Oingo BoingoThe CutSpring Carnival concert.
- Billy PriceThe Cut
1989
- 'Til TuesdayThe CutSpring Carnival band. Sunday afternoon show.
- Ladysmith Black MambazoSkibo Ballroom
- South Side JohnnyFlagstaff HillCo-sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh.
- Glenn Miller OrchestraSkibo BallroomFeatures of this concert included flamingos, a 6' tall blow-up Godzilla, and a Tech crew in top hats.
- Tony Miles
1988
- AlarmSkibo GymSpring Carnival band.
- Billy PriceGesling Stadium
- Tommy Dorsey OrchestraSkibo Ballroom
- The Flow with Tony Miles
1987
- South Side JohnnySpring Carnival band.
- Windham HillCarnegie Music HallDaryl Anger, Mike Marshall, Michael Hedges, Liz Storey
1986
- The BanglesSyria MosqueFree concert for winning a Multiple Sclerosis drive.
1985
- Iron City Houserockers
- The Pointer Sisters with Tom WillmorthSeptember 24Carnegie Music HallCo-sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh.
- Leon RedboneFlagstaff Hill
- The RomanticsSkibo GymSpring Carnival concert
- NRBQGesling StadiumSpring Carnival concert
- Donnie IrisFlagstaff HillWhile the opener was playing the band was watching a Browns game.
- ShadowfaxSkibo Ballroom
- Livingston TaylorThe Cut
- John Baylie
- Spyro GyraFlagstaff HillCo-sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh.
- Steel PulseFlagstaff HillCo-sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh.
- Christine LavinPerformed several times throughout the year
- Michael SpiroPerformed countless times on campus through 1994.
1984
- David BrombergSeptember 9Flagstaff HillCo-sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh.
- The OutlawsThe CutSpring Carnival band
- Pat MethenyFebruary 9Carnegie Music HallYet another sellout crowd
1983
- Gang of FourSkibo Ballroom
- David Bromberg with Rick DankoSeptember 9Flagstaff Hill
- Adrian BelewSkibo Ballroom
- Rennaisance with Pousette DartApril 22Skibo GymSpring Carnival band. When Rennaisance's lighting crew ended up at the other end of the state, Danny Chujko and Bob Miller saved the day for us by scraping a lighting rig together 4 hours before showtime.
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1982
- David JohansenSkibo Gym
- Mission of BurmaThe Cut
1981
- The ClashOctober 16Skibo GymTickets sold out at the Student Center Info Desk in less than two hours.
- Yakov SmirnovSkibo BallroomBroadcast on HBO
- The ToonsSeptember 19The BallroomSponsored by AB Coffeehouse.
- Cheap TrickSkibo GymSponsored by the CMU Student Dormitory Council
- David JohansenThe Ballroom
- Tom VerlaineThe Ballroom
- Steve GoodmanSeptember 6Flagstaff HillCo-sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh
- SantanaSkibo Gym"Killer Kahn", Santana's Road Manager, learned the hard way that Jenny doesn't take nicely to sexist comments.
- Rick DankoFebruary 1Skibo BallroomWith Blondie Chapman on Guitar
1980
- Dixie DregsFallSkibo Ballroom
- King CrimsonOctober 31Skibo GymThis was the "how do you get truck tires for a semi filled on halloween?" concert.
- Muddy WatersSkibo Gym1980 Spring Carnival Concert
1979
- Blood Sweat & TearsSkibo GymHomecoming Show
- Livingston Taylor
1978
- Renaissance/Pousette DartCarnegie Music HallHomecoming Show.
1977
- Chuck MangioneCarnegie Music HallChuck's first performance in the Pittsubrgh area. During Homecoming, it was a sellout.
- Asleep At The WheelThe Cut
1973
- Bruce Springsteen
- Billy JoelCarnegie Music Hall
1972
- Bonnie RaittSkibo Ballroom