SCOTT TADY
McKEES ROCKS — Everything appears to be A-OK for Aly & AJ.
The sisterly duo demonstrated poise and skill; relatability and relevance Tuesday, pleasing fans at the Roxian Theatre in McKees Rocks.
Continuing their steady evolution from teen actresses to mature indie-pop-rock musical artists, Alyson “Aly” Michalka and Amanda Joy “AJ” Michalka compellingly sang and strummed guitars, backed by a tight trio of guys on electric guitar, bass and drums.
“Rush,” the platinum-selling single from Aly & AJ’s 2005 label debut, sparked Pittsburgh area fans to rise to their feet and mouth along with the words, two-thirds into the California group’s 19-song set.
Indie-rock guitar jangling with a Western folk-country swing highlighted “Dandelions” from 2025’s “Silver Deliverer” album.
Aly (37) and AJ (35) had a seamless but not sameness quality to their voices, making their entwined harmonies a sound to truly behold.
Their show-stopper was “Sirens,” introduced by Aly as a song inspired by a 2022 mass shooting that killed six people and wounded 12 others in Sacramento, Calif., just hours after Aly & AJ had performed in that same area.
“It could’ve been sirens over my body,” Aly emotionally sang, as AJ resolutely strummed guitar. “It could’ve been me/Instead, it’s sirens over their bodies.”
The Roxian audience absorbed “Sirens” with rapt attention. Many heeded Aly’s spoken plea to pull out their phones and send a text to a special number where they could donate money to a program striving to strengthen U.S. gun laws.
It wasn’t a night of humor, even the self-deprecating kind that could have gently poked fun at “Phil of The Future,” Aly’s science fiction comedy series airing on Disney Channel from 2004-2006, or ABC’s 2010s sitcom “The Goldbergs” featuring AJ.
But there were smiles galore, from the sisters, their bandmates, and fans connecting through a loyalty and love of music.
Largely full on the general admission-standing floor, while half-capacity in the balcony seats, the audience seemed to be having fun and savoring every moment.
