Brigitte Calls Me Baby

On October 16, 2026, Mr. Smalls Theatre was home to two one-of-a-kind bands, Brigitte Calls Me Baby and Common People.

Common People, a Los Angeles-based alternative rock band composed of Nicky Winegardner (vocals), Cormac Cadden (drums), Asher Thomson (guitar), Sam Belzer (guitar), and Chuck Gray (bass), opened the night with a level of energy that immediately commanded attention. It wasn’t long before the crowd was moving their feet and matching the enthusiasm of the musicians on stage.

Light, effortless verses paired with heavier choruses and memorable electric guitar themes perfectly showcased the band’s strengths and left the audience excited to hear more. With a setlist featuring tracks like “Blue Eyes,” “Dear Worry,” and “Shapeshift,” it’s easy to see why the group is successfully making a name for itself in the music industry.

The band noted that this was their first Pittsburgh show, making the night a memorable debut as they pointed out family and friends in the crowd. Rest assured, if you missed their set, this was the first but won’t be the last opportunity to catch them in the Steel City.

After an incredible opening set, it was time for the headliner to take the stage.

Wes Leavins (vocals), Devin Wessels (bass and keyboard), Jack Fluegel (guitar), Jeremy Benshish (drums), and Dylan Barnett (guitar) make up the Chicago-based alternative rock band Brigitte Calls Me Baby. From ballads to high-tempo, pop-leaning tracks, lavish vocals and tight, memorable instrumentation remained consistent and impressively above average to say the least. 

The setlist featured tracks from the band’s two full-length albums, Irreversible and The Future Is Our Way Out, including beloved songs like “Slumber Party,” “We Were Never Alive,” and “Eddie My Love.” Like all great bands and live performances, each member of the band was given the chance under the spotlight to showcase their skills. 

Instrumental solos gave each band member their own moment to shine, while Wes’ vocals filled the room from the minute he took the stage through the finale. From the soul and vibrato in his voice to his animated stage presence, it was obvious he was giving the performance his all, and the rest of the band was no exception.

Brigitte Calls Me Baby stands out for its sound and aesthetic, reminiscent of the music of the ’80s while incorporating modern-day themes, spanning numerous eras and genres. There is something for everyone in the band’s discography, which was apparent through the vast demographic of the audience.

Each song throughout the setlist was better than the last, and before I knew it, the group left the stage, only to return shortly after for the encore. It was impossible to tell which song was the finale as the band performed each song like it was their last. From drums to vocals, not one musician was shown more love than another as each one received countless enthusiastic applause from the audience, with high praise continuing in conversations long after the show.