RELATED EVENTS

• Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band

Thom Daugherty of the Elms. The Elms will perform with The Last Good Year & Henry French and the Shameless at Spin Nightclub on July 25th. (Matt Kryger / The Indianapolis Star)

The Dave Matthews Band will play two shows, July 25-26, at Verizon Wireless Music Center.(Submitted by Live Nation)

Rush will be at Verizon Wireless Music Center on July 24th. (Rob Goebel/Indianapolis Star)

The Top 10 Live is a collaborative effort between Indy.com and Indianapolismusic.net

1. Neil Diamond

8 p.m. July 29, $55 to $120, Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 Pennsylvania St., (317) 239-5151.

Neil Diamond's music has a permanent spot in the American songbook -- whether the tunes appear in such films as "Saving Silverman," or the singer himself is leading sing-alongs in sports stadiums. His legacy was further cemented this year when he earned the top spot on Billboard's album chart with "Home Before Dark," and became the oldest artist (67) to score a No. 1 album.

2. Rush

7:30 p.m. July 24, $33.50-$ 95.50, Verizon Wireless Music Center, 12800 E. 146th St., Noblesville, (317) 776-8181.

Few bands have earned the cult following Rush can claim. The Canadian trio's blend of progressive rock and literate lyricism, hallmarked by bassist Geddy Lee's banshee vocals and Neil Peart's virtuoso drumming, has been filling concert halls for nearly 35 years. Expect the band to pull out the stops for this show, the final night of its current tour.

3. Vulgar Boatmen & Gentleman Caller

9 p.m. July 25, $5, Radio Radio, 1119 E. Prospect. St. (317) 955-0995.

A pair of area indie rock favorites teams up for this show. Gentleman Caller makes the trip from Bloomington, offering a blend of the drone and drive of Velvet Underground with shimmering elements of '80s college rock. Vulgar Boatmen earned national recognition with driving dance pop that's heavily influenced by early rock 'n' roll.

4. Pub Sigs w/ Hellwinkle, Right On John, Indiana Bandana

9 p.m. July 25, $6, Melody Inn, 3826 N. Illinois St., (317) 923-4707.

It's reunion night at the Melody Inn, as a pair of bands get back together after long breaks. Pub Sigs got its start in Muncie before making a name in Indy with grooving hard rock. Hellwinkle also started out in the Muncie area, earning fans with its take on hard rock and metal. The reunited acts are joined by Right On John and Indiana Bandana -- a band, oddly enough, from Chicago -- for a night of rock.

5. Dave Matthews Band w/ Ingrid Michaelson

7 p.m. July 25 and 26, $40-$75, Verizon Wireless Music Center, 12800 E. 146th St., Noblesville, (317) 776-8181.

Concerts by the Dave Matthews Band are a summer tradition in Indiana. The group is so popular, it actually fills Verizon Wireless Music Center for two weekend nights. The band has also spent part of its summer taking part in what's becoming a popular choice for summer tours: performing at minor league baseball stadiums alongside country legend Willie Nelson. That tour's closest stop to Indy comes Aug. 1 in Louisville.

6. Autovaughn, with Mardelay and the Franchize

10 p.m. July 25, $5, The Vogue, 6259 N College Ave., (317) 259-7029.

The Vogue continues its Friday night live-music series with a trio of bands familiar to local fans. Autovaughn is based in Nashville, Tenn., but claims Hoosier ties: two of the members were in Anderson-based A.M. Drive. The band is using the show to celebrate the release of the new EP, "The Cycles." Indy rockers Mardelay and the Franchize open the three-band bill.

7. Jimmy Buffett

8 p.m. July 29, $33-$133, Verizon Wireless Music Center, 12800 E. 146th St., Noblesville, (317) 776-8181.

A small army outfitted in Hawaiian shirts and possibly under the influence of margaritas will descend on Verizon in an annual pilgrimage to see its leader, Jimmy Buffett. The pied piper of wasting away one's days always packs them in at the amphitheater.

8. The Elms, w/ The Last Good Year & Henry French and the Shameless

10 p.m. July 25, $5, Spin Nightclub, 6308 Guilford Ave., (317) 257-0000.

Though the members of the Elms are young, they list classic rockers such as the Who and the Rolling Stones among their musical heroes. The group creates its own rock-styled sound, featuring big guitars, big beats, and sing-along hooks. They appear at Spin before heading overseas for shows in Holland and Sweden.

9. Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise

9 p.m. July 26, $8, The Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St., Bloomington, (812) 336-3984.

Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise has a unusual relationship with the Bluebird. The group visits the club frequently and chose it as the place to record its 2006 live album, "What About That." The band features vocalist Bradley, a blind street performer who was discovered by his backing band. Together they create a sound that mixes blues, soul and alt rock.

10. Miller Lite Rock 'N Racing featuring the Goo Goo Dolls

4:45 p.m. July 26, $15, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4790 W. 16th St., (317) 492-6700.

Music is always a huge part of the days leading up to big races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This concert comes on the eve of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Modern rock hit-makers the Goo Goo Dolls close a day of qualifying and practice on July 26 before the next day's race.