Music 3: Dash to Dot Dot Dot
Pop from the suburbs
Dot Dot Dot, a dance-rock band from the Northwest suburbs, has tasted success on its own terms — releasing music and touring the country without the help of a manager or a label. This weekend, the group will bring its relentlessly energetic brand of dance-oriented pop to Chicago's Metro, where it will be one of the openers for Chicago folk-punk band Cobalt & the Hired Guns.
Dot Dot Dot will perform with Kosha Dillz, Catch a Tiger, Matt Ryd and Cobalt & the Hired Guns at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark, Chicago. $9. Go to metrochicago.com.
Paying tribute
Baby boomers who don't mind seeing other folks standing in for their favorite musicians should consider going to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre this weekend. On Friday, Reely Dan will meticulously re-create the music of jazzy rockers Steely Dan. On Saturday, Piano Man will do the honors for Elton John and Billy Joel.
Reely Dan will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell, Arlington Heights. Tickets start at $25. Piano Man will perform at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8. (The 8 p.m. show is sold out.) Tickets start at $27. Go to metropolisarts.com.
One of 2010's best
The Besnard Lakes are a Canadian group that specializes in sophisticated, atmospheric rock 'n' roll. The group's 2010 record, “The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night,” has appeared on many best-of-the-year lists during the past few weeks. The group stops in Chicago next week.
8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln, Chicago. $15. Go to lincolnhallchicago.com.
— Matt Arado