If you can hear anything through the cocoon of hibernation you build around yourself post-New Year’s Eve, you may want some solid concerts to check out. Are there any good ones in the dead of winter? Glad you asked. (Get full event info at metromix.com.)
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mpais@tribune.com
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Buddy Guy
Jan. 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, 27-30 at Buddy Guy’s Legends
The local blues legend plays his annual showcase at his South Loop club.
Health and Beauty
Jan. 7 at Empty Bottle
Local minimalism that calms you one minute and scares you the next. Pretty compelling.
Lady Gaga
Jan. 8-10 at Rosemont Theatre
We’ll never forgive her for the terrible “Paparazzi,” but the pop star certainly knows how to put on a show.
Bailiff
Jan. 9 at Lincoln Hall
Blues with this much fire just might ignite your hair. This new local band is heavy.
Treaty of Paris
Jan. 9 at Metro
Stinks when your label (Airport Tapes & Records) folds, but the pop pleasures of new EP “Currents” (released at this show) indicate the local band has moved on.
Anvil
Jan. 10 at House of Blues
Canada’s no-longer-unknown metal act continues its late ascension to fame thanks to last year’s entertaining doc, “Anvil! The Story of Anvil.”
Derek Nelson
Jan. 13 at Empty Bottle
A local singer-songwriter who proves there’s nothing inherently bland about a dude with a guitar.
Singing in the Abbey
Jan. 14 at Hideout
Chicago symphonic outfit releases haunting debut, “Wake Up, Sardis!” Dress warm; you’re going to get the chills.
Surfer Blood
Jan. 14 at Schubas
Blogs are aflutter over the Florida indie outfit’s debut, “Astro Coast,” out Jan. 19. Fortunately it lives up to the hype.
Parachute
Jan. 15 at Subterranean
Kinda like the Fray and Maroon 5, except not annoying.
Draft Week
Jan. 16 at Metro
A release party for “The Sophomore” EP from this local band, which sounds like it planned to create pop punk but ended up with something more soulful and distinctive.
Owen Pallett
Jan. 16 at Schubas
Canadian singer-violinist (formerly known as Final Fantasy) plays from challenging new “Heartland.”
Bowerbirds
Jan. 16 at Lincoln Hall
North Carolina folk act is just about perfect for this time of year.
Skybox
Jan. 17 at Schubas
Hear songs from the local indie rockers’ fun “Morning After Cuts,” out Jan. 19.
Jookabox
Jan. 17 at Empty Bottle
Exhilarating strangeness that feels like setting off on vacation with no idea where you’re going.
The Necks
Jan. 19 at Empty Bottle
Because you’re always saying how there aren’t enough Australian experimental jazz groups around.
Cavashawn
Jan. 21 at Lincoln Hall
Local pop rockers who successfully blend soft vocals with hard-edged guitars.
Elsinore
Jan. 22 at Schubas
Champaign indie rockers release “The Chemicals” EP. Just try not to nod along with “Chemicals” or be uplifted by “Body of Water.”
Timbaland
Jan. 24 at House of Blues
Veteran hit-maker knows how to get a crowd going.
Daphne Willis
Jan. 27 at Lincoln Hall
Get excited about the local pop singer’s debut, “What to Say,” out Feb. 9.
Doom/Mos Def
Jan. 29 at Congress Theater
Will masked rapper Doom put some effort into his performance, unlike his set at last year’s Pitchfork Fest? Mos Def is more trustworthy, appearing behind last year’s “The Ecstatic.”
Nouvelle Vague
Jan. 29 at Lincoln Hall
Because you’ve always wanted to hear “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “Blister in the Sun” as performed by a glossy French band. Wait, haven’t you?
Cold War Kids, Alec Ounsworth
Jan. 30 at Vic Theatre
The California soul-rockers promote new EP, “Behave Yourself,” with support from the singer of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and his other band, Flashy Python.
