This weekend in Indianapolis music, college rock icons debunk popular antagonist myths at one of the oldest Indianapolis music venues, jazzy jam bands fill the air of Mass Ave with patchouli and guitar solos, and a long lost pachyderm makes an appearance in Bloomington. Once again, it’s a fantastic weekend for Indianapolis nightlife in Central Indiana; there are lots of concerts, shows, and other exciting Indianapolis events to capitalize on this weekend, so get out on the town!

On Thursday, Built to Spill and Revolt Revolt will be playing at The Vogue. Built to Spill has been around for what seems like forever; they were all over the college airwaves in the late 90’s after their first two albums, Perfect from Now On and Keep it Like a Secret, garnered them critical praise and a dedicated fan base. Now they’re touring in support of their newest, There Is No Enemy, a tighter, more structured affair than the band is used to. Fans attending the show can expect plenty of the barbed hooks, mile long solos, and idiosyncratic lyrics that Built to Spill is known for. Opening act Revolt Revolt won’t turn any heads with their originality, but they’re a solid group with plenty of energy. This one is shaping up to be one of the best concerts of the weekend.

If you’re rather sit outside and take in the sights and sounds of one of the six Indianapolis cultural districts, the Mass Ave Festivall might be the place for you. Taking place on Friday outside of the Indianapolis Fire Fighters Museum (the same place as the Survive Alive Village), the Mass Ave Festivall is a true celebration of Indianapolis arts, featuring six jam bands from across Indiana, including some familiar Indianapolis bands. Funk/jazz trio The Twin Cats (regulars at The Mousetrap) will be there, as will fire breathing favorites The Leisure Kings, classic rockers Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, psychedelic pop group Ladymoon, and several more. Add Sun King beer, outdoor vendors, and real time mural painting, and you have an Indianapolis event worthy of Mass Ave.

On Sunday, an indie pop gem of a show will be going on at The Bishop in Bloomington, where Elf Power will be playing with Arrah and the Ferns. Elf Power belongs to the lauded Elephant 6 collective based out of Athens, Georgia, a label that spawned several of the top “indie” bands of the 90’s, many of whom are still around and making music. The Apples in Stereo, The Olivia Tremor Control, Of Montreal, and Neutral Milk Hotel were all Elephant 6 bands at one point. Elf Power always erred more on the side of 60’s sunshine pop than the other groups (even the Apples in Stereo, whose influences are firmly rooted in the Summer of Love), but their two latest albums, Back to the Web and In a Cave, attempted to explore different musical territory with mixed results. Piano pop group Arrah and the Ferns (originally from Muncie, Indiana) are the perfect compliment for an evening of jangling acoustic guitar and three part harmonies.

There are plenty of other great shows going on this weekend in Indianapolis bars and other places around the city, so take a look at our show calendar below to plan out your weekend in downtown Indianapolis:

Indianapolis Music Venues

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

Indianapolis Bands

Amanda Overmyer | Cathy Morris | Flynnville Train | Gwen Stacy | The Elms | Haste the Day | Jennie DeVoe | Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s | Mudkids | Murder by Death | Sloppy Seconds | Straight No Chaser | More Indianapolis Bands

Indianapolis Musical Organizations

Arts Council of Indianapolis | Capital City Chorus | Ensemble Music Society | Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis | Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra | More Indianapolis Musical Organizations

Indianapolis Musicians

Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds | Freddy Hubbard | Wes Montgomery | Cole Porter | James Spaulding | More Indianapolis Musicians

Indiana Music by City

Avon Music | Brownsburg Music | Carmel Music | Danville Music | Fishers Music | Greenfield Music | Greenwood Music | Martinsville Music | Mooresville Music | Noblesville Music | Plainfield Music | Westfield Music | Zionsville Music | More Indiana Music