Sound check: Ravinia rocks with Santana tour
Dance with Santana
Musical legend Carlos Santana brings his Latin-inspired rock to Chicago's suburbs with the "Transmogrify Tour." Through a career that's spanned more than 50 years, Santana has created hits, both solo and through various collaborations, including his 2000 smashes "Smooth" with Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas and "Put Your Lights On" with rapper Everlast. Hear songs from throughout his collection when he plays Ravinia Festival for two nights. Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. Reserved seats are sold out, but lawn seats are still available for $49-$54. (847) 266-5000 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.) Friday and Saturday, Aug. 11 and 12
Monsters are for real
The Marina City guys have built on their rock-solid foundation of punk-inflected pop with some sexy new tracks on their newest EP, "Terminal." The recently released single (available for streaming on Spotify), "Dreamers Never Die," has already earned some powerful buzz, but I assure you the best is yet to come when the album hits Friday, Aug. 11. Catch the driving, harmony-heavy tunes when Marina City celebrates the release at Wire with Early June, Detour North and Arvia. Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10-$12. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11
Side Street finals
Congratulations to all the talented musicians who played Side Street Studio Arts' Battle of the Bands this summer. It took a few months, but the contest is down to a hometown battle between two Elgin bands: the emo-punk rock of Mt. Pocono and Accidentally On Purpose, a blend of jazzy, soulful pop. Catch the two bands as they play the Side Street Studio, and make sure you're there to vote for the winner. Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. $5. (847) 429-2276 or sidestreetstudioarts.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12
Heather Horton plays benefit
Chicago singer/songwriter Heather Lynne Horton and her husband, musician Michael McDermott, play an acoustic concert at St. Petronille Parish in Glen Ellyn. The benefit, which begins at 7 p.m. with music at 8 p.m., will raise funds for Mercy Home for Boys & Girls in Chicago. St. Petronille's Parish Life Center, 420 Glenwood Ave., Glen Ellyn. $25; cash and checks accepted at the door. For information, contact Pete Miscinski at (773) 259-6520 or miscinski@aol.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12
Pop culture and country
Jonathan Jackson, a singer and star of television's "Nashville," visits Chicago with his brother Richard Lee Jackson and bassist Jonathan Thatcher in support of their band Enation's recently released fourth album, "Anthems For The Apocalypse." Hear songs from the new album, as well as previous hits (such as "Everything Is Possible"), when they play Lincoln Hall this weekend. Northwest suburban singer-songwriter David Paige opens with his energetic, '90s-inspired guitar rock. Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $17-$20. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com. 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13
Concert highlights
The Locals, AfterSound, Oceanlux, Arcade 88, The Punch: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at Hairpin Arts Center, 2810 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Free. (773) 661-6361 or hairpinartscenter.org.
Billy Joel: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago. $99-$129.50. m.mlb.com.
Werewolves at Hour 30, Bloodman, Welcome to Jonestown: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at Liar's Club, 1665 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago. $5. (773) 665-1110.
Catfish and the Dogstars, Suspicious Fires, Bubbles Brown: 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $8. (773) 404-9494 or martyrslive.com.
Downers Groove: 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at Quigley's Pub, 43 E. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. Free. (630) 428-4774 or quigleysirishpub.com.
Punchline, Showoff, Starstruck, Bury Me In Lights: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at Reggies 8/12 - Lights @Reggies, 105 S. State St., Chicago. $15-$17. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.
Afterlife featuring Moriarty, Tecko, Bentley Dean, Jame$ Dean, Goodsex, Nikho and more: 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. (773) 278-4646 or annexnightclub.com.
The Shams Band, Terry White & Chris Neville: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $5; free with RSVP. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.com.
August Hotel, Glass House Point, Friday Pilots Club, Ember Oceans: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at Reggies, 105 S. State St., Chicago. $10-$12. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.
• Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor. He may not be a musician, but he plays one in Guitar Hero. You can follow him on Twitter at @BShamieDH.