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 |
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ALO, Chris Velan @ The Rathskeller Restaurant
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Greg Foresman Band @ The Slippery Noodle Inn
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Chad Mills @ Muldoon’s Irish Pub in Carmel, Indiana
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Concerts on the Canal: Cool City Swing with Shannon Forsell and Jimmy Guilford @ Indiana History Center
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Sour Mash @ Champps Americana Restaurant and Bar
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Badfish (Sublime Tribute) @ The Vogue Theater
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Thunderhawk, Cory Hill, Tony Marshall @ The Melody Inn
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Grey Granite @ Blu Lounge
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Voodoo Rose Productions @ Rock Bottom Brewery | |||
Fear No Evil @ Cool Creek Park in Westfield, Indiana | |||
Jennie DeVoe @ Indy Driver Fashion Show
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Harry Goodloe Jr. Project @ Indianapolis Artsgarden
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Friday, May 28 |
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Indy 500 Carb Day with ZZ Top and Zanna Doo @ Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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Clifford Ratliff Quintet @ Chatterbox Jazz Club
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Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Annotations of an Autopsy, Conducting From the Grave, Heavy Lies the Crown @ The Emerson Theater
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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
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Publisher’s Bash w/ Randy King and The Last Digit @ Radio Radio Music Lounge
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Richard Owens and the Industrials @ The Ugly Monkey
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The Waldemere Revival, Catch Curtis, Slidecat Royale @ Birdy’s Bar & Grill
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Fez-Fest 2010 w/ The Dockers, The Playboy Psychonauts, Vinyl Shriner @ Melody Inn
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Mike & Joe @ The Vogue | |||
Janet 51 @ Mo’s Irish Pub
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Duke Tumatoe and the Power Trio @ Indiana Live Casino
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Saturday, May 29 |
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Band Wagon @ Whiskey Business
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John McMillan and Slothpop @ Radio Radio
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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
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Black Voodoo @ The Rathskeller | |||
Xiting the Systm, Sinnerfold, Synthetic Child, Black Candle Mass @ The Emerson
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Jake Hertzog @ Jazz Kitchen
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Jason Myles Goss, Brandon Whyde @ Urban Element
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Concrete Cowboy @ 8 Seconds Saloon | |||
40% Steve @ Champps
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Glass Halo, Endiana, King Street Conspiracy @ Birdy’s Bar
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Goldie & Exquisitely Yours @ Chatterbox | |||
John Garrett Band @ The Slippery Noodle | |||
Radio Cambodia @ Earth House Collective | |||
Stereo Deluxe @ Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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Loo Abby @ Mo’s Pub
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Sunday, May 30 |
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Jerome Mills Band @ Slippery Noodle Inn
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The Wright Brothers Band @ Beef and Boards Dinner Theater
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Sixteen Candles @ Vogue |
8 Seconds Saloon | Big Car Gallery | Birdy’s Bar & Grill | Chatterbox Jazz Club | Emerson Theater | Jazz Kitchen | Old National Centre | Radio Radio | The Vogue | More Indianapolis Music Venues
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