[FOLK ROCK] + FRI., MARCH 11 & WED., MARCH 16
One can easily draw parallels between ’70s Los Angeles soft-rockers Three Dog Night and modern Philly indie-popsters Dr. Dog. No, they’re not playing a concert together: That would be too perfect to be true. But both bands have a rootsy backbeat, charmingly idiosyncratic vocalists and a McCartney-esque optimism that has made them cult favorites. Within a week of each other, both of these canine-titled groups are playing the Pittsburgh area —Three Dog Night on Fri., March 11, at the Palace Theater, and Dr. Dog at Stage AE on Wed., March 16. Andrew Woehrel Three: 8 p.m. 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. $35-55. 724-836-8000 or www.thepalacetheatre.org. Dr. Dog: 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Drive, North Side. $23-25. 412-229-5483 or www.stageae.com
[HIP HOP] + SAT., MARCH 12
It’s not a coincidence that Moemaw Naedon’s stage name is similar to the Star Wars character Momaw Nadon (remember the alien that looks like a hammerhead shark who has about a second of screen time in A New Hope?). It’s a sly reference from the local rapper, because you’d have to be a huge nerd to get it (the kind of nerd who writes previews for the City Paper). Thankfully, it’s hip to be square these days, and Naedon’s heady lyrics and futuristic beats betray a sort of all-too-real post-apocalyptic sci-fi modernity, with nods to alternative hip-hoppers like El-P, Company Flow and Aesop Rock. Tonight, Surface Level Records presents a release party for Naedon and producer Billy Hoyle’s new album Travel Through, at Boom Concepts, with guest appearances by Isada Tariq, Beedie, Hubbs and more. AW 9 p.m. 5139 Penn Ave., Garfield. $7. www.surfacelevelrecords.com
[ROCK] + SUN., MARCH 13
In the ’70s, the Jersey Shore Sound was a theatrical fusion of classic R&B, rock ’n’ roll and doo-wop. Since 1976, Southside Johnny (a.k.a. John Lyon) and his backing band, the Asbury Jukes, have released bombastic Stax-influenced anthems that romanticize the boardwalks of New Jersey. Honestly, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes sound like Bruce Springsteen would if he’d never left the Garden State to become a superstar. In fact, only a true snob would blame you if you heard Southside Johnny and swore it was early Springsteen. See the band tonight at the Rex Theater. AW 8 p.m. 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. $45-50. 412-381-6811 or www.rextheater.com
[JAZZ FUSION] + WED., MARCH 16
Plenty has been written about The Who, which is embarking on its 50th-anniversary tour. (So much for “I hope I die before I get old.”) So instead, let’s talk about the opener for tonight’s show at the Consol Energy Center. Australian bassist and singer Tal Wilkenfeld released her first jazz-fusion album at 20, and was subsequently chosen by Chick Corea to accompany him on his 2007 tour. Since then, Tal has played with Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock and Ryan Adams, among others. Wilkenfeld not only has chops in the vein of Jaco Pastorius, but the vocals on her cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel #2” shows that her talents extend beyond the bass. AW 8 pm. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. $39.50-140. 412-642-1800 or www.consolenergycenter.com
