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• Doughty work: A Q&A with Mike Doughty

RELATED EVENTS

• Blind Melon
• Tokyo Police Club, Eagle Seagull, Sisters

Gladys Knight will perform with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra March 15 at Hilbert Circle Theatre. (Submitted photo)

X will perform at the Vogue March 18. (Submitted photo)

Pharrell Williams will perform with N.E.R.D. at the Vogue March 17. (Submitted photo)

Mike Doughty will play the Music Mill March 19. (Submitted photo)

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

1. Gladys Knight

8 p.m. March 15, Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle, $52-72, (317) 639-4300.

Gladys Knight trades in her usual backup group The Pips for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra during Saturday's appearance at Hilbert Circle Theatre. Knight is one of the most acclaimed soul/R&B singers of her generation, with more than 30 hits, multiple Grammy Awards, and membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on her resume. This show features the singer performing her hit songs and paying tribute to great female jazz vocalists.

2. X w/ Skybombers

8 p.m. March 18, The Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave., $20 advance, $22 day of show, (317) 259-7029.

Bands from England and New York City helped launch punk rock in the late 1970s. X was among the first wave of California bands to make its mark on punk in the '80s. The group's male/female vocal attack and rockabilly influence helped add to the fledgling music style. The group celebrates its 31st year in business with a tour featuring the original lineup. Aussie garage rockers Skybombers open.

3. N.E.R.D. w/ Chester French

8 p.m. March 17, The Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave., $22.50 advance, $25 day of show, (317) 259-7029.

If you're making plans for St. Patrick's Day, add this big show to your short list of things to do. N.E.R.D. is the collaboration of hip-hop super-producers Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of the Neptunes, with Shay Haley. The result is a funky, dance-oriented sound influenced by R&B, hip-hop and electronic music. This tour promotes the June release of its third album, "Seeing Sounds," and warms them up for their opening slot on Kanye West's tour later this spring.

4. Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary Tour

7 p.m. March 13, Madame Walker Theatre, 617 Indiana Ave., $25 adults, $20 children age 12 and younger, (317) 236-2099.

This year the Monterey Jazz Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary of showcasing the top jazz performers in the world. The festival marks a half-century of activity by sending out a touring band featuring an all-star lineup of jazz musicians. Pianist Benny Green directs a group with trumpeter Terence Blanchard, saxophonist James Moody, bassist Derrick Hodge, drummer Kendrick Scott, and guest vocalist Nnenna Freelon.

5. Mike Doughty's Band w/ the Panderers

8:30 p.m. March 19, Music Mill, 3720 E. 82nd St., $15, (317) 841-1850.

Mike Doughty built a following for his music as part of Soul Coughing. Since leaving that group, he's increased his audience through regular record releases, steady touring and placement of songs on television series. His best known solo single to date, "Looking at the World from the Bottom of a Well," was featured in "Grey's Anatomy." Doughty tours in support of his latest album, "Golden Delicious."

6. Blind Melon w/ Alex Winston

7:30 p.m. March 15, The Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave., SOLD OUT, (317) 259-7029.

Blind Melon was on a path to being one of the country's most popular bands when singer Shannon Hoon died in 1995. The group attempted to carry on without Hoon before disbanding in 1999. Spurred by strong audience response to recent greatest hits and live albums, the band re-formed in 2006 with a new singer. It began performing live the following year. This sold-out show marks the new group's first visit to Hoon's home state.

7. Tokyo Police Club w/ Eagle Seagull and Sisters

7:30 p.m. March 19, Birdy's, 2131 E. 71st St., $12, (317) 254-8971.

Canadian indie pop band Tokyo Police Club (right) has taken little time to become one of the most acclaimed acts on the indie music scene. With a sound compared to big-name indie bands like the Pixies and Modest Mouse, the group made the rounds of major music festivals in 2007. The group's first full-length record, "Elephant Shell," arrives in stores in April.

8. Audio Reconnaissance New Release Party

9 p.m. March 14, Melody Inn, 3826 N. Illinois St., $5, (317) 923-4707.

Audio Reconnaissance is an Indy-based and artist-owned musicians' collective working to help artists create and release their work to a worldwide audience. The collective celebrates some of its latest works Friday at the Melody Inn. A lineup featuring blues act Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel, soundscape artist Amtrak, and hip-hop groups Twilight Sentinels and Motif reveals the diversity of the Audio Recon artist lineup.

9. Matt Ledford Memorial Show

9 p.m. March 14, Birdy's, 2131 E. 71st St., $5, (317) 254-8971.

Tragedy struck Connersville-based rock/metal band Kramus in February when members got word that singer and guitarist Matt Ledford had died. Ledford was only 25 years old. The group is planning to carry on, but not without first taking the time to memorialize its departed bandmate. Kramus will perform with the help of friends at this Friday show, which also features Blaknote, No More Goodbyes and Caden's Cry.

10. Andy McKee and Nicholas Barron

9 p.m. March 15, Radio Radio, 1119 E. Prospect St., $10, (317) 955-0995.

Fans of virtuoso guitar performance get another treat this week as Radio Radio hosts a show by Andy McKee and Nicholas Barron. McKee's skilled fingerstyle playing has won him a huge audience, thanks to videos on YouTube and MySpace. His online videos have been viewed more than 12 million times. He also recently collaborated with Josh Groban on Groban's 2007 Christmas album. Chicago-based guitarist/singer/songwriter Barron joins him.