Indianapolis Music Events 5/27 to 5/30: ZZ Top, Apocalyptica, Stereo Deluxe

This weekend in Indianapolis music, the high pitched fervor of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race finally reaches critical mass and explodes all over downtown Indianapolis. The influx of visitors to the Circle City means that Indianapolis bands will be on top of their game in order to impress the out of towners. There are several big shows going on around the Indianapolis cultural districts this weekend, including Metallica covers by a squadron of cello virtuosos, old time swing along the Central Canal, and beastly beards playing classic blues licks at the Brickyard.

Probably the most publicized Indianapolis event as far as concerts go this weekend is the Indy 500 Carb Day on Friday, one of the last big parts of the 500 Festival that leads up to the Indy 500 on Sunday. ZZ Top is headlining the stage this year, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees won’t be pulling any punches. The creators of down and dirty southern rock hits like “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man” should put on a sterling performance for all the Indianapolis sports fans that’ll be out in the heat.

If classic rock doesn’t strike your fancy, you can make a short trip north to the Verizon Wireless Music Center to catch several more modern rock bands. On Saturday, WRZX 103.3 FM will be hosting its annual May Day celebration with a slightly unusual assortment of bands. Radio rock groups Puddle of Mudd and Three Days Grace will be playing with hip-hop/rock/funk group Cage the Elephant and cello badasses Apocalyptica, who’ve developed quite the reputation as the niche metal group of choice for their spot on cello covers of Metallica songs.

Other highlights this weekend include the kickoff of the Concerts on the Canal summer concert series at the Indiana History Center, thrash metal veterans Dying Fetus at the Emerson, and Indianapolis jazz drummer Harry Goodloe Jr. at the Artsgarden. Check out the handy show calendar below to figure out your list of Indianapolis things to do this weekend:

Thursday, May 27

ALO, Chris Velan @ The Rathskeller Restaurant

Music video for “Girl I Wanna Lay You Down” by ALO; ALO will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

Greg Foresman Band @ The Slippery Noodle Inn

Video of The Greg Foresman Band performing live; The Greg Foresman Band will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

Chad Mills @ Muldoon’s Irish Pub in Carmel, Indiana

Video of Chad Mills performing “Morning” live in Indianapolis

Concerts on the Canal: Cool City Swing with Shannon Forsell and Jimmy Guilford @ Indiana History Center

Video of Cool City Swing performing live in Indianapolis

Sour Mash @ Champps Americana Restaurant and Bar

Video of Indianapolis band Sour Mash recording in the studio

Badfish (Sublime Tribute) @ The Vogue Theater

Video of Badfish, a Sublime tribute band, performing live; Badfish will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

Thunderhawk, Cory Hill, Tony Marshall @ The Melody Inn

Video of Thunderhawk performing at a record store in Fort Wayne; Thunderhawk will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

Grey Granite @ Blu Lounge

Video of Grey Granite performing live at the Melody Inn in Indianapolis

Voodoo Rose Productions @ Rock Bottom Brewery

Fear No Evil @ Cool Creek Park in Westfield, Indiana

Jennie DeVoe @ Indy Driver Fashion Show

Promotional video for Jennie DeVoe, an Indianapolis musician

Harry Goodloe Jr. Project @ Indianapolis Artsgarden

Video of Harry Goodloe Jr. (drums) laying down some gospel; Harry Goodloe Jr. will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

Friday, May 28

Indy 500 Carb Day with ZZ Top and Zanna Doo @ Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Video of ZZ Top performing “Sharp Dressed Man” live; ZZ Top will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

Clifford Ratliff Quintet @ Chatterbox Jazz Club

Video of Clifford Ratliff and the Indy Jazz Company performing “Blue Bossa” live; Clifford Ratliff will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Annotations of an Autopsy, Conducting From the Grave, Heavy Lies the Crown @ The Emerson Theater

Music video for “Homicidal Retribution” by Dying Fetus; Dying Fetus will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

RPM @ Chateau Thomas Winery in Plainfield, Indiana

Goldie @ The Jazz Kitchen

Dark House Sweet @ Champps Americana

Henry Lee Summer and Friends @ Mickey’s Irish Pub

Music video for “I Wish I Had a Girl” by Henry Lee Summer; Henry Lee Summer will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

Publisher’s Bash w/ Randy King and The Last Digit @ Radio Radio Music Lounge

Video of The Last Digit performing live at Birdy’s in Indianapolis

Richard Owens and the Industrials @ The Ugly Monkey

Video of Richard Owens and the Industrials performing live in Bloomington; Richard Owens and the Industrials will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

The Waldemere Revival, Catch Curtis, Slidecat Royale @ Birdy’s Bar & Grill

Video of The Waldemere Revival performing live in Indianapolis

Fez-Fest 2010 w/ The Dockers, The Playboy Psychonauts, Vinyl Shriner @ Melody Inn

Video of The Playboy Psychonauts performing live in Indianapolis

Mike & Joe @ The Vogue

Janet 51 @ Mo’s Irish Pub

Video of Janet 51 performing “If I Had a Million Dollars” live; Janet 51 will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

Duke Tumatoe and the Power Trio @ Indiana Live Casino

Video of Duke Tumatoe performing “Tie You Up” live; Duke Tumatoe and the Power Trio will be playing near Indianapolis this weekend

Saturday, May 29

Band Wagon @ Whiskey Business

Video of Bandwagon performing “Hard to Handle” live in Indianapolis

John McMillan and Slothpop @ Radio Radio

Video of Slothpop performing live; Slothpop will be playing in Indianapolis this weekend

X103 May Day Concert w/ Three Days Grace, Puddle of Mudd, Bullet for My Valentine, Cage the Elephant, Halestorm, Apocalyptica @ Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana