Sound check: Jonfin’s new single, Beat Kitchen show; Mumford & Sons, Twenty One Pilots on WKQX Christmas bill

Jonfin’s new ‘Old Ways’

With its fresh spin on garage rock, the indie-alternative band Jonfin has been slinging appealing new tunes for the duration of its short 8-month tenure. But the young band isn’t easing into anything. The musicians clearly have chops from previous projects, and united, they bring smooth vocals, playful harmonies and a dancey groove to their ever-growing collection of songs. The band is dropping a new one Friday — “Old Ways” — to give a taste of what’s coming up in November’s planned 5-song “Australian Alien” EP release. Give it a sample just in time for a weekend set at Beat Kitchen, when Jonfin plays with Tulsa’s NeoRomantics, Pennsylvania emo-indie band The Standby and Chicago’s own Crystal Killers. 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com. 

Free Ballroom Boxer, Love In October show

Fuzzy guitar rock and brightly upbeat harmonies await when Ballroom Boxer, Chicago’s musical embodiment of a backyard barbecue vibe, takes the stage at Schubas Monday. The band, which specializes in burying high-concept and sometimes darker lyrical treasures in its fun, poppy songs, will musically welcome you, tell you a few stories through songs and make you feel like you’ve belonged there all along. Love In October, the danceable indie-pop band that has been playing some high-profile gigs on the Chicago scene lately, leads off the night with its fun and energetic catalog. Oh, and did we mention it’s a free show? 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Free. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.

The Nights We Stole Christmas

Merry Christmas from WKQX! The lineup’s been announced for the five-day The Nights We Stole Christmas holiday concert extravaganza, and it features some biggies: Cage the Elephant with Angels & Airwaves and The Federal Empire on Wednesday, Dec. 11; The 1975 with Bob Moses and Allan Rayman on Thursday, Dec. 12; Twenty One Pilots with I Don’t Know How But They Found Me on Friday, Dec. 13; Mumford & Sons with Local Natives on Saturday, Dec. 14; and 311 with Highly Suspect and The Glorious Sons on Sunday, Dec. 15. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11-15, at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. Tickets in presale; public sale starts at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at 101wkqx.com.

Dream Soda, Stellar West and WRSE

Elmhurst College Radio (WRSE-88.7 FM) presents the first concert event of the school year with Bands N Brews — a night of music and networking in the beautiful beer garden at Elmhurst Brewing Company. The free, all-ages event will feature music by acoustic performer Emma Kaminski, Naperville punk rockers Stellar West and Elmhurst seven-piece funk band Dream Soda. Reps from Elmhurst’s Schnauz Records label and Revolution Guitar Company will be on hand, plus there will be giveaways from the radio station. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Elmhurst Brewing Company, 171 N. Addison Ave., Elmhurst. Free. (630) 834-2739 or facebook.com.

Of Monsters and monster hits

Of Monsters and Men, the quintuple-platinum-selling Icelandic artists behind the 2011 smash “Little Talks,” is out on tour supporting its latest album, “Fever Dream,” and the recent single “Alligator.” Catch them when they stop in Chicago for a night at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom this weekend. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. General admission tickets start at $53. (800) 456-8499 or aragonballroom.org.

Ravinia winding down

Ravinia’s last week of the season for the outdoor pavilion brings two big shows to the bill. First, Mary J. Blige, the prolific singer, songwriter and actress who won multiple Grammy Awards for her solo and collaborative works, plays Friday, Sept. 13. And then alt-rocker and former Smiths frontman Morrisey is joined by New York rock band Interpol Saturday, Sept. 14. Mary J. Blige at 8 p.m. (gates at 5 p.m.) Friday, Sept. 13; $60-$90. Morrisey with Interpol at 7 p.m. (gates at 4 p.m.) Saturday, Sept. 14; $54-$130. At Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, ravinia.org.

‘Tapestry Unraveled’

Crystal Lake native Tina Naponelli’s homage to Carole King comes to the Raue Center for a night of the Grammy-winning artist’s music from her second album, “Tapestry.” Naponelli will share her heartwarming and soulful renditions of hits such as “I Feel the Earth Move,” “Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and more in the Raue’s intimate jazz club. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $22-$26. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org.

• Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music junkie. Find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter (@thatshamieguy) or Instagram (@thatshamieguy).

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