Four Chord is back in the Burgh, and it’s bigger and better than ever before! After several years in Washington, PA (and one very muddy year at the historic Carrie Furnace), Four Chord Music Festival returns to the heart of Pittsburgh, taking over F.N.B. Field for two incredible days of non-stop fun on September 25th and 26th. While typically known as a pop-punk powerhouse, Four Chord 12 is bringing a colourful mix of genres, leaning more heavily into post-hardcore, metalcore, and emo.
Knocked Loose is headlining Friday, turning the day into a hardcore throwdown! They’ve been brewing up a storm over the last few years, growing from the underground scene to become mainstream titans featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and even playing Coachella. They were last in Pittsburgh in 2024 showing off their then-new album You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, and it was one of the most brutal shows of the year! Knocked Loose closing out Friday night at Four Chord is going to be one of the hardest of hardcore nights Pittsburgh has ever seen, doubly so considering the rest of Friday’s lineup.
Friday is stacked to the brim with the best of hardcore and metalcore. Haywire is always a whirlwind of raw energy, especially when they’re in Pittsburgh. Kublai Khan TX are pure aggression that demands moshing. Add in a dash of Counterparts to the brewing hardcore stew and you’ve got a sure-fire way to kick the intensity up to 12. But as with everything in life, there needs to balance, and the Friday lineup has plenty for everyone. Thousand Below offers a more melodic metalcore with so much emotion. Underoath has a level of refinement and atmospheric intensity that turns their live shows into living art. Rounding out the heavy hitters on Friday are We Came As Romans, Saosin, Superheaven, Militarie Gun, Facewreck, and Pain Clinic. It’s a much heavier line-up than Four Chord typically has, but the crushing brutality of Friday will make Saturday’s pop-punk party soar even higher.
Pierce The Veil will be headlining Saturday. They’ve spent the last two decades claiming a spot at the top of the post-hardcore/emo/pop-punk blur of genres. Pierce The Veil defies typical genre boundaries, giving them a unique sound unlike any other and making them the perfect fit for Four Chord’s diverse lineup this year. Mayday Parade will be keeping the energy sky-high leading up to the headlining set with their catchy jams that are perfect sing-alongs, as will Boys Like Girls with their signature too-cool swagger and positively addictive pop-rock. State Champs are returning to Four Chord, this time performing Around The World and Back, their second and very much beloved album. Mom Jeans will be bringing catchy emo jams to the lineup, while Keep Flying has horn-heavy pop-punk jams that make it impossible to stay still. Saturday’s line-up will also feature Motion City Soundtrack, Cartel, Finch, Driveways, Hit The Lights, Eternal Boy, Patent Pending, Don’t Panic, and Pittsburgh’s very own, Heading North.
D.I.Y. at its core, Four Chord is all about putting on a festival that’s for the fans, and that’s exactly where this year’s lineup thrives. The diversity of genres has something for everyone and provides the opportunity to explore something new, try out an unfamiliar genre in the perfect setting – live, surrounded by thousands of screaming fans living their best lives. Because nothing is better than live music. Founder Rishi Bahl has created a magical little space with Four Chord, a community where all are welcome, to share a love of good music. Not every band will be everyone’s cup of tea, but the entire festival experience is intoxicating, and this year is sure to be one for the history books. Tickets are on sale NOW!
