Empty Out Your Wallet

By Lizz Kannenberg in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 5, 2007 6:10PM

Girl Talk, aka one Greg Gillis, has been wowing audiences from the Empty Bottle to the Pitchfork Music Festival with his wildly popular brand of mash-up wizardry. Just try to hold a stoic cool-kid pose when Gillis brings his one-man jammin' train through town in January, with newly minted prince of the hipster dance party Dan Deacon in tow.
Metro, January 26, 7:30 p.m. (all ages) and 11:30 p.m. (18+), $16. On sale Saturday.

Don't laugh, but Michael McDonald rules. The undisputed king of blue-eyed soul music is not only loved by moms but also respected by pop musicians as the guy who made it OK for white dudes to get down.
The Chicago Theater, December 6, 7:30 p.m., $42.50-$72.50, all ages. On sale Saturday.

Sondre Lerche's sweet, traditional chamber pop is steeped in Tin Pan Alley charm and old-fashioned, jazzy melodies, and this Norwegian songwriter has been a favorite of and an influence on folkie types from Antony & the Johnsons to Norah Jones.
Park West, November 20, 7:30 p.m., $15, all ages. On sale Saturday.

Call it a gimmick, call it derivative ... but The Pipettes were a major hit at this year's SXSW Music Festival and have enjoyed heaps of critical praise. We like their poppy buoyancy, but it's best to experienced live.
Double Door, November 21, 8:00 p.m., $15, 21+. On sale Wednesday.