Stepping into Citizens Live at The Wylie feels like entering a whole new chapter of Pittsburgh live music, and there’s no better group to put it to the test than indie rock royalty Modest Mouse. Formed back in the nineties as a scrappy Pacific Northwest outfit, Modest Mouse has built a massive legacy on jagged guitars, existential lyrics, and an unpredictable edge that still sets them apart today. They rolled into the Burgh on their An Eraser And A Maze tour to support their newest album of the same name to show everyone that their creative engine is still burning hot. The Wylie is in its opening weeks and is buzzing with that crisp, new energy. The crowd was packed with diehard fans ready for the gloriously chaotic ride that Modest Mouse always guarantees.
Caroline Rose got things moving early, with a set that was equal parts raw energy and pure charm. Swinging effortlessly between synth-heavy indie pop and gritty rock riffs, she kept the growing audience completely locked in. Her casual, almost deadpan stage banter made the huge room feel like a cozy basement show, chatting with the front row between songs like she was hanging out with old friends. The crowd responded in kind, cheering loudly as she pushed her vocals to their absolute limit. She was very impressed by the Yinzer fans in attendance, calling them warm, embracing, scary, and dangerous, which is honestly the perfect description of Pittsburgh concertgoers.
When Modest Mouse finally took over the stage, frontman Isaac Brock led the charge with his signature rasp, drawing all eyes on him on the absolutely massive stage. Alongside Brock, bassist Russell Higbee held down the heavy grooves, while percussionist Ben Massarella and drummer Damon Cox laid down a thunderous rhythm section that kept every track firmly grounded. Multi-instrumentalist Keith Karman added crucial layers of synths while Seth Jabour hit the riffs on second guitar, creating a rich wall of sound that filled every corner of the Wylie. The synergy between these musicians was at a peak, each member feeding off of Brock’s manic energy as they pushed through an intense, high-volume set.
The setlist offered a fantastic journey across the entire Modest Mouse catalog that left long time supporters thrilled. They blended all the classic radio hits and fan favourite set staples with fresh tracks from An Eraser And A Maze, letting the new material shine right alongside their legacy tunes. The grooves of “Life’s a Dream” got the crowd moving, addicted to the sweet beats. “Third Side of the Moon” was particularly enticing live, the thick bass and storytelling transporting everyone on a journey through the riffs. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Modest Mouse show without “Float On,” which sounded better than it ever has in the brand new venue. But the real magic happened when they dusted off rare gems “March Into the Sea” and “Life Like Weeds,” two tracks that rarely grace a live set. Hearing those deep cuts played live sent a shockwave of pure joy through the Wylie, prompting immediate singalongs from the folks who have been following Modest Mouse since the early years. It was a perfectly balanced set that gave casual listeners what they wanted while rewarding the hardcore fans with deep, satisfying surprises.
While the band sounded incredible, the real star of the show was the breathtaking lighting that transformed the stage into an otherworldly visual experience. Pulsing lights and sweeping beams of colour matched every tempo change, bathing the band in beautigul blues and pinks, striking greens and yellows, and blinding white strobes. The light design felt directly tied to the music, amplifying every guitar breakdown and ambient lull with hypnotic visual patterns that brought the music to life. The last few times Modest Mouse has come to Pittsburgh, they were outdoors at Stage AE, and while playing under the stars is a magical experience in and of itself, the outdoor stage just can’t capture the overwhelming presence of the lights like the Wylie could. Especially during “Spitting Venom,” the lights felt like an extra band member, adding as much to the overall experience as the keys or percussion. Fans spent half the night staring wide-eyed at the stage, completely caught up in the brilliant spectacle hovering over the musicians. It was an absolutely mesmerizing display that elevated a great rock concert into an unforgettable full-body experience.
October 10th, 2026
