Indy.com
Today:
Top 10 Live: The week's best concerts, chosen by the experts.
Posted: Jan 23, 2008 in Things to do, Music
Tags:
RELATED POSTS
RELATED EVENTS
VENUE INFO
Top 10 Live is a collaborative effort between the Indy.com staff and Indianapolismusic.net.
1. Chris Brown, Bow Wow, Soulja Boy
7 p.m. Jan. 25, $48.99-$58.99, Conseco Fieldhouse, (317) 239-5151.
A trio of young hit makers tops the list this week. Chris Brown has two songs on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart -- his previous No. 1, "Kiss Kiss," and his latest single, "With You." Rapper Bow Wow is the veteran of the group. The 20-year-old performer released his first record when he was 13. He's since placed 15 singles on the charts. 17-year-old newcomer Soulja Boy leaped to stardom in 2007 with his No. 1 single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)."
2. Ember Swift with Emily Wood
7:30 p.m. Jan. 26, $15, Key Cinemas, (317) 784-7454.
Local music/arts promoter indyindie has chosen an unusual venue to open its 2008 season. Key Cinemas transforms from a movie house to a live music venue for this event. Headliner Ember Swift got her start in the coffeehouse scene in Toronto before going full time in music in 1997. She's noted for her high-energy shows and politically fueled songs. Swift currently releases her music on her own DIY label. Local folk singer/songwriter Emily Wood opens.
3. M.O.T.O, Beta Male, The Luxury Pushers, Star
10 p.m. Jan. 26, Melody Inn, (317) 923-4707.
Punk Rock Night fans have used the weekly event for celebrations ranging from birthday parties to going-away or homecoming parties. This week, PRN founder Greg Brenner using it to mark the first anniversary of his marriage to wife Jo. Celebrating with the couple will be longtime PRN favorites M.O.T.O and The Luxury Pushers along with local dance pop band Beta Male and "bubblegum noise" group Star.
4. Shawn Mullins w/ Jenn Cristy
8 p.m. Jan. 25, free, Music Mill, (317) 841-1850.
Singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins must feel like the Music Mill is a home away from home. This is his third visit in 14 months. This time the crowd could be his biggest yet. This is a free show sponsored by radio station WTTS-FM (92.3). Mullins, best known for his 1998 single "Lullaby," currently tours in support of his 2006 record "9th Ward Pickin' Parlor." Local singer/songwriter Jenn Cristy opens.
5. The Howlies
8 p.m. Jan. 29, $5, Sam's Saloon, (317) 632-4365.
The Howlies visit from Atlanta with a sound and look that's pure throwback to the era of psychedelic garage bands in the '60s. Their raw sound derives equally from artsy Velvet Underground, Chuck Berry-styled rock, and weird garage rock. The group is also known for performing in matching furry wolf hats.
6. Uncle Earl
8 p.m. Jan. 24, $18, Royal Theater (Danville), (317) 696-5279.
It's a big week on the Top 10 for moviehouses doubling as live music venues. Uncle Earl is the main attraction at the Royal Theater on Thursday. The all-female acoustic quartet performs songs that toe the line between old-time bluegrass and the Scotch-Irish ballads that inspired that sound. Their latest album, "Waterloo, Tennessee," was produced by Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones.
7. The Cousin Brothers, Pennycuff, Cory Hill Band
9 p.m. Jan. 26, Birdy's, (317) 254-8971.
The Cousin Brothers (right) might best be known to music fans around Indy for their Friday morning performances on X103's "Stuck in the Morning Show" during football season. The Colts' early playoff exit cut that gig short this year. Fans who need another dose of the group can visit Birdy's on Saturday. They're paired up with fellow rootsy acts Pennycuff and The Cory Hill Band.
8. Harley Poe, A Keen Holiday, The Endies, Kurt Rambis
9 p.m. Jan. 26, $4, Locals Only, (317) 255-4013.
Kevin Philips, one of the partners in local record label Standard Recording Company, is throwing himself a "low dough birthday show" and everyone is invited. The event features his horror-folk act Harley Poe, acoustic folk rockers The Endies, bluesy indie rockers A Keen Holiday, and Indy rock act Kurt Rambis (not the goggle-wearing power forward from the "Showtime" Lakers of the '80s -- though he's also welcome to attend).
9. ESW, The Philosophy, Javelinas
9 p.m. Jan. 25, Melody Inn, $5, (317) 923-4707.
ESW headlines this Friday show with a sound that incorporates elements of experimental jazz and jam with electronic music. The Philosophy puts a trio of MCs in front of a live band to combine hip-hop with performance art. Javelinas visits from Chicago with a more straightforward alt-country/rock sound.
10. Bill Lancton and Coalition with Tad Robinson
8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Jan. 25, $12, The Jazz Kitchen, (317) 253-4900.
A pair of top local musical talents team up for a special night at the Jazz Kitchen. Bill Lancton (right) is recognized as one of the city's top guitarists. Tad Robinson, the green-eyed soul singer/harmonica player who has become a regular fixture at soul/blues venues throughout the country, joins him for a night of jazz, soul and funk.
Slow week, go see Beta Male!
DUDE! Shawn Mullins! Oh my god dude! Isn't he that guy that wrote that song that used to be on the radio in 1998!? SWEET! You guys should totally go see him. That's the #4 concert of the week? I'd rather see Soulja Boy and gouge out my eyes.
wait a minute... this show should be #1 and it's not even on the list!
http://www.indy.com/events/view/54273
i'm by no means a big country guy but she is the bomb. she appeals to the older demo and her last album was co-written and produced by Jack White and it's awesome! i realize she's no Shawn Mullins but...
wait a minute... this show should be #1 and it's not even on the list! ...
The Loretta Lynn album is Van Lear Rose and it is phenomenal IMHO. I have it in my car, iPod and laptop. Maybe it's the touches from Jack White but this album probably doesn't appeal to an older demo as much as her older stuff. Btw though, I like seeing Jenn Cristy on the Shawn Mullins bill. She's local. And she's very good.
Another one we missed is the Justin Townes Earle (son of roots/rock/country icon Steve Earle) at Spencer's Stadium Tavern tomorrow night. I know a few people who caught Earle the last time he came to town, and all reports were glowing.
Matt, where is Spencer's Stadium Tavern?
Spencer's Stadium Tavern's address is 802 S. West St., Indianapolis, IN, 46225. Click here to visit their profile.
Thanks Ben. Also worth noting that Spencer's has an excellent selection of microbrews, both bottled and on tap.
Don't get me started on Shawn Mullins. I suppose my life simply isn't complete without writing about Shawn Mullins once every six weeks or so. That said, I'm sure there will be plenty of people at the show. WTTS is promoting it and it's free.
Does Spencer's keep an updated events calendar online anywhere? I'd be happy to add their shows to the weekly nominations list I send to the voters if I could find them. I don't see them listed on the indy.com calendar.
I do love me some Lorrety Lynn, though I hate including shows more than an hour outside Indy. It pains me to write up as many Bloomington shows as what make the list.
Indy.com can't seem to get it right.... Please don't get me wrong, there are some great acts on this list, and I know there are several factors for why an act gets on this list. Take Shawn Mullins for example. Not my favorite musician, but the concert is free so I see why he made it.
What upsets me is that there are some shows that are surprisingly missing from this list. Three of our best local bands are playing this weekend with not even so much as a head nod from the local press. Tonight (Jan 25th) at Birdy's, The Last Good Year is playing with Henry French and the Shameless. and Tomorrow night (Jan 26th) Win With Willard Plays at Spin Nightclub. Two of the three bands placed in the top three in the 2007 Battle of Birdy's. And all three bands are among the premier of Indy local rock.
Disappointed...? perhaps. But I know that someday the local media will look back and say "Gee, I wish we had paid more attention to those guys."
See you both nights.
Rock on.
Billy