WYEP has been a staple of the Pittsburgh music scene for the past five decades, providing a platform for emerging artists, local talent, and iconic acts to share their music with the community. The nonprofit radio station has been a driving force in promoting live music performances in the region, and in recent years, it has been exploring ways to take its programming to the next level. One of the key initiatives announced by WYEP as part of its 50-year celebration is the launch of the WYEP Live Music Fund, which aims to support and promote live music performances in the region. The fund will be used to produce, promote, and support live music events, and will also provide resources for local artists to develop their skills and career. In addition to the WYEP Live Music Fund, WYEP has also announced the launch of the Neighborhood Concert Series, a new initiative that will bring free live music to venues throughout the Pittsburgh region. The series will feature a diverse range of artists, including Pittsburgh-based bands and up-and-coming national acts. The Neighborhood Concert Series will kick off on Thursday, April 24, with concerts at the Crafthouse Stage and Grill in the South Hills, and will continue throughout the summer with shows at various venues across the city. WYEP program director Liz Felix explains the inspiration behind the Neighborhood Concert Series, saying, “We wanted to take our live music programming to the next level and bring music to music fans where they live. We believe that live music is a vital part of the cultural and economic vitality of a city, and we want to be a part of that.”
The first concert of the Neighborhood Concert Series will feature two local acts, Merce Lemon and Animal Scream, both of whom have a history with WYEP. Merce Lemon has appeared on the station’s studios in the past, and Animal Scream has played at the station’s Summer Music Festival. Other notable acts included in the series include Snacktime, a funky, brassy outfit from Philadelphia, and Clover County, a project of Athens, Ga.-based musician A.G. Schiano. Kashus Culpepper, a country-blues singer-songwriter from Alabama, will also be part of the series, and will be performing live for the first time in Pittsburgh. Felix notes that all of the acts in the series have been featured on WYEP, and that the series is designed to showcase a diverse range of artists and styles. WYEP has also partnered with Allegheny County Parks to present shows at South Park, Settlers Cabin Park, and Hartwood Acres, offering fans more opportunities to enjoy live music in the region. As part of its 50-year celebration, WYEP has set out to raise an additional $200,000 for the WYEP Live Music Fund by April 30. The fund will support the production, promotion, and support of live music events, and will also provide resources for local artists to develop their skills and career. WYEP program director Liz Felix emphasizes the importance of the Neighborhood Concert Series and the WYEP Live Music Fund, saying, “Everything evolves, and 50 years is a very long time for a radio station to survive. That’s really special, I think. We don’t take it for granted that people depend on us to find out about new music, and to be able to see these artists live when, in some cases, they might not be able to come to the city otherwise — that’s huge.”
Upcoming Neighborhood Concert Series Shows:
| Show Date | Venue | Artist(s) |
| — | — | — |
| Thu., April 24 | Crafthouse Stage and Grill | Merce Lemon, Animal Scream |
| Thu., April 24 | Cadence Clubhouse | Snacktime, Kashus Culpepper, Clover County |
| Thu., May 15 | The Oaks Theater | Merce Lemon, Animal Scream |
| Thu., May 15 | Clearview Commons | Snacktime, Kashus Culpepper, Clover County |
| Thu., May 22 | Tall Trees Amphitheater | Animal Scream, Kashus Culpepper |
| Thu., May 22 | Hartwood Acres | Snacktime, Clover County |
| Thu., June 12 | Settlers Cabin Park | Merce Lemon, Animal Scream |
| Thu., June 12 | South Park | Snacktime, Kashus Culpepper |

WYEP’s 50-year milestone is a testament to the power of community-driven programming and the importance of providing a platform for emerging artists to share their music with the world. As WYEP looks to the future, it is clear that the station is committed to continuing its mission of bringing live music to the community, and to supporting local artists in their pursuit of success. WYEP Neighborhood Concert Series

• Free live music events
• Pittsburgh-based bands and up-and-coming national acts
• Partnership with Allegheny County Parks

The WYEP Live Music Fund will be used to support the production, promotion, and support of live music events, as well as to provide resources for local artists to develop their skills and career. The fund will be restricted to support the cultural and economic vitality of the Pittsburgh region, and will be used to promote live music as a regional asset. The Neighborhood Concert Series is a key part of WYEP’s 50-year celebration, and will provide fans with a unique opportunity to experience live music in their community. With a diverse range of artists and styles, the series is sure to delight music fans of all ages. The Neighborhood Concert Series will take place from April 24 to September 19, with shows at various venues across the Pittsburgh region. The series will feature a mix of local and national acts, and will include a range of genres, from rock to folk to country. The WYEP Live Music Fund will be raised through donations, with a goal of raising an additional $200,000 by April 30. We don’t take it for granted that people depend on us to find out about new music, and to be able to see these artists live when, in some cases, they might not be able to come to the city otherwise — that’s huge.”
The Neighborhood Concert Series is a testament to WYEP’s commitment to live music and to the community, and will provide fans with a unique opportunity to experience live music in their community. The WYEP Neighborhood Concert Series will take place from April 24 to September 19, with shows at various venues across the Pittsburgh region. The WYEP Live Music Fund will be used to support the production, promotion, and support of live music events, as well as to provide resources for local artists to develop their skills and career. WYEP Neighborhood Concert Series

• Thursdays, April 24 – Sept. 19
• Free live music events
• Pittsburgh-based bands and up-and-coming national acts
• Partnership with Allegheny County Parks

WYEP has set out to raise an additional $200,000 for the WYEP Live Music Fund by April 30, with a donation form available on the WYEP Live Music Fund web page. Fans can contribute to the fund and support the mission of WYEP and the Neighborhood Concert Series. We don’t take it for granted that people depend on us to find out about new music, and to be able to see these artists live when, in some cases, they might not be able to come to the city otherwise — that’s huge.”
WYEP is committed to being “the station where the music comes first,” and the Neighborhood Concert Series is a testament to this commitment. The series will provide fans with a unique opportunity to experience live music in their community, and will showcase a diverse range of artists and styles. WYEP’s 50-year milestone is a testament to the power of community-driven programming and the importance of providing a platform for emerging artists to share their music with the world. The Neighborhood Concert Series is a testament to WYEP’s commitment to live music and to the community, and will provide fans with a unique opportunity to experience live music in their community. We don’t take it for granted that people depend on us to find out about new music, and to be able to see these artists live when, in some cases, they might not be able to come to the city otherwise — that’s huge.”
The Neighborhood Concert Series will take place from April 24 to September 19, with shows at various venues across the Pittsburgh region. 19

WYEP is committed to being “the station where the music comes first,” and the Neighborhood Concert Series is a testament to this commitment.