Top 10 Live: The week's best concerts

Indy.com Staff

September 17, 2008 by Indy.com Staff

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

1. ORANJE

8 p.m., Sept. 20, $20, 2323 N. Illinois.

ORANJE is always one of the most anticipated annual events on Indy's arts calendar. The one-night event returns for its seventh year with a lineup featuring 46 artists and 26 musical acts. Expect to see a broad cross-section of Indy's musical talent as indie rockers, hip-hop groups, DJs, experimental acts, and musicians of all other styles create the soundtrack for the night. Visit oranjeindy.com for details on the lineup.

2. Album Cover Presents The Who's "Tommy"

9 p.m., Sept. 20, Birdy's Bar & Grill, 2131 E. 71st St., (317) 254-8971.

It's a bold undertaking for any band to recreate a legendary album like The Who's "Tommy" live on stage. Album Cover, a project headed by bassist B.P. McKenna, is planning to perform the rock opera in its entirety. McKenna has assembled an all-star group of area musicians to deliver the show. Tom Petty tribute act Full Moon Dogs and Henry French & the Shameless also perform.

3. 34th Annual Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Uncle Pen Days Festival

Sept. 25 through Sept. 27, $20-90, Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park in Bean Blossom, Ind., (800) 414-4677.

Just 40 miles south of Indianapolis, the Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground in Bean Blossom, Ind., is considered "The Mecca of Bluegrass" by the music's enthusiasts. This event brings together more than 25 top-name bluegrass acts for a four-day festival. The festival ends Saturday with the induction of Carlton Haney into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and a day of music headlined by Dr. Ralph Stanley.

4. Dar Williams w/ Shawn Mullins

7 p.m., Sept. 20, $22, The Vogue, 6259 N College Ave., (317) 259-7029.

Dar Williams' acoustic singer/songwriter style has earned her music the label of "folk-pop." The artist is compared to and has toured with artists like Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Ani DiFranco. She visits Indy as she tours in support of her latest album, "Promised Land." The normally general-admission Vogue has announced this will be a seated and non-smoking performance. Shawn Mullins opens the night.

5. Mindless Self Indulgence w/ Innerpartysystem, I Am the Dream, Dearestazazel

7 p.m., Sept. 23, $23, Murat Egyptian Room, 502 N. New Jersey St., (317) 615-1500.

Mindless Self Indulgence has found a loyal audience that's equal parts punk rock and electronic/dance music fans. The New York-based group's music features driving beats and electronic roar of the dance scene with the in-your-face lyrics and attitude of punk. The group brings the same attitude to their stage show as well. Their confrontational performance style has found kindred spirits and past tour mates in bands like Insane Clown Posse and Rammstein.

6. Hayden

8 p.m., Sept. 24, $14 Birdy's Bar & Grill, 2131 E. 71st St., (317) 254-8971.

Canadian Hayden Desser has earned comparisons to his countrymen Neil Young and Leonard Cohen primarily for his combination of rock and folk in his music and his very personal lyrics. The artist launched his career with do-it-yourself inspiration as he created his earliest albums on a four-track cassette recorder. He launched his 2001 album, "Skyscraper National Park," with a short distribution of handmade copies. He's currently touring in support of his 2008 record, "In Field & Town."

7. Indy's Irish Festival

4:30 p.m. Sept., 19, 11:30 a.m. Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 21, $13 daily, $20 weekend pass, Military Park, 601 W. New York St., (317) 233-2434.

Whether you're a confirmed son or daughter of the Emerald Isle or simply have a love of Guinness and bagpipes, Indy's Irish Festival is sure to please the Irish in all of us. The three-day event features four stages all packed with musical talent of the Celtic variety. Local favorites team up with Irish-influenced acts from around the country to fill the music schedule. Visit indyirishfest.com for full entertainer list and stage schedule.

8. Keller Williams

9 p.m., Sept. 18, $18 The Bluebird 216 N. Walnut St., Bloomington, (812) 336-3984.

Keller Williams earned his title of 'one-man jam band' for his use of technology to build an arrangement of music around short recordings. The end result is an entire song pieced together a little at a time. His bluegrass-, folk-, and reggae-inspired music, along with his time as an opening act for bands like Umphrey's McGee and String Cheese Incident, have earned him fans in the jam band scene.

9. International Talk Like A Pirate Day

8 p.m., Sept. 18, $3, Radio Radio, 1119 E. Prospect. St. (317) 955-0995

In the ongoing debate over which is cooler, pirates or ninjas, pirates score a big point thanks to International Talk Like A Pirate Day. The day celebrates the vernacularrrrr of pirates. Ninjas, of course, will never get a similar holiday as they operate in silence. Sound silly? It is, but this event offers you a chance to hear music from the seven seas, use words like "scallywag" without being shunned, and help out local charities including helpindyonline.com.

10. Souloveuniverse w/ The Twin Cats

10 p.m., Sept. 19, $5, The Vogue, 6259 N College Ave., (317) 259-7029.

Souloveuniverse's name has been popping up more frequently on Indy's music calendar. The group has quickly built a reputation and a fan base by performing their own soul infused original compositions along with a catalog of soul, funk, and R&B covers. They return to the Vogue for a Friday night headlining slot this week. Jazz/jam favorites The Twin Cats hold down the opening slot.

Forum: Music

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Concerts, top 10 live, Indianapolis Music, indy music, indy bands, indy events, indianapolis concerts, indianapolis events

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3 comments

Jon Silpayamanant
Jon Silpayamanant, September 17
0 votes

oh hell--Dar Williams is playing Saturday? Bummed that I'm going to have to miss her.

melvin
melvin, September 19
0 votes

Sunset Rubdown this Sunday 9/21 at the BlueBird in Bloomington. Far better than any act you'll see at Sporanje.

Drinky_McGee
Drinky_McGee, September 19
0 votes

Drinky will be attending the Tommy show. Feel free to come out and buy him a drink. He won't mind.

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