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• The Hives keep energy level up

OK Go will be performing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 17th. (Kelly Wilkinson / The Indianapolis Star)

On May 18th Panic at the Disco will be at the Egyptian Room. (Photo courtesy Big Hassle Publicity) (Photo courtesy Big Hassle Public for The Star)

The Hives will be at The Vogue on May 17th. (Submitted photo)

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

1. The Hives w/ Jack Oblivian

7:30 p.m. May 17, $18.50, The Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave., (317) 259-7029.

When the garage rock revival took hold in the U.S. earlier this decade, several Scandinavian bands picked up on the trend. The Hives are among the best of the Nordic exports. The group's highly energetic live show landed it on the top 10 of Spin magazine's Top 25 live acts in 2006. The band is touring behind its 2007 release, "The Black and White Album."

2. 38th Broad Ripple Art Fair

10 a.m.-6 p.m May 17 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 18, $15, Indianapolis Art Center, www.indplsartcenter.org

Along with the work of the 225 artists, you can also take in music from some of the area's best acts -- including Cynthia Layne, blueprintmusic, the Duke Tumatoe Duo, Michael Kelsey and Left Lane Cruiser. Four outdoor stages, including one featuring kids' music, provide a soundtrack for the event.

3. The Pete Best Band w/ Bigger Than Elvis

9 p.m. May 21, $10, Radio Radio, 1119 E. Prospect St., (317) 955-0995

Pete Best, former drummer for the Beatles, received what may be the most famous pink slip in history: He was fired from the group in 1962 and replaced by Ringo Starr. During the past 20 years, Best has performed with his own band, re-creating the sound of those early Beatle years.

4. OK Go, Sum 41, Forever the Sickest Kids

2 p.m. May 17, $10, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4790 W. 16th St., (317) 492-6700

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway continues to blend racing with rocking during the second weekend of qualifications. This Saturday brings the Coke Zero 500 College Fest to the Speedway, featuring a trio of modern rock favorites. OK Go may be as well known for its creative music videos as its upbeat power pop. Sum 41 made its name in the pop punk explosion earlier this decade. Forever the Sickest Kids released its full-length debut, "Underdog Alma Mater," last month.

5. Panic at the Disco, Motion City Soundtrack, The Hush Sound, Phantom Planet

7 p.m. May 18, $35, Egyptian Room, 502 N. New Jersey, (317) 615-1500

Panic at the Disco dropped the "!" from its name, but the exclamation loss hasn't resulted in a loss in popularity. In 2008, the theatrical rock act followed its multi-platinum debut with another top 5 album, "Pretty. Odd." The group headlines this tour featuring a foursome of popular modern bands.

6. Indianapolis Songwriters Cafe Songwriters in the Round

7 p.m. May 16, $5, Boulevard Place Cafe, $5

Local artist Cliff Snyder recently launched indianapolissongwriterscafe.com as a place for local singers/songwriters to meet and talk online. He's also promoting these artists through Songwriters in the Round shows at Boulevard Place Cafe. Bill Price of the Brains Behind Pa, Frank Dean of Sindacato and Brent Bennett of Brent Bennett and the Movers will kick off the monthly event.

7. Phyllis w/ Brian Deer & the Achievers, ESW, Ruckus

9 p.m. May 16, $5, Melody Inn, 3826 N. Illinois St., (317) 923-4707

A variety of music awaits visitors to the Melody Inn on May 16. Phyllis makes one of its semi-rare live appearances, bringing the noisy melodic rock it's known for. Brian Deer & the Achievers delivers a balance of singer/songwriter pop and alt-country. ESW throws a curve ball into the mix with a jazzy, electronic sound. Ruckus rounds out the bill.

8. Jon McLaughlin

3 p.m. May 18, $10, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4790 W. 16th St., (317) 492-6700

It's tough to call the Anderson, Ind.-born Jon McLaughlin a local artist these days. His 2007 debut, "Indiana," came out on Island Records and hit the top 100 on the Billboard album chart and top 5 on its Christian album chart. He also appeared in the film "Enchanted," performing a song featured on the soundtrack album.

9. Josh Ritter w/ David McMillin

8:30 p.m. May 15, $17, Music Mill, 3720 E. 82nd St., (317) 841-1850

A critical favorite, folk singer/songwriter Josh Ritter has taken a unique path. The Idaho native actually became a star in Ireland before garnering attention in his home country. Since then he's released a series of highly praised albums, won fans including author Stephen King, and gotten his songs placed on popular television shows.

10. Pizzle w/ Coffin Daggers & Stealing Volume

10:30 p.m. May 17, $7, Melody Inn, 3826 N Illinois St., (317) 923-4707

Indy punk band Pizzle called it quits in 2005 after 13 years of making music. Members take a hiatus from their breakup with a reunion show at Punk Rock Night, sharing the bill with Stealing Volume, a new band featuring an all-star lineup of players from local groups, including the Slurs, Nowhere Good Fast, State, and Lines of Nazca. The Coffin Daggers, an instrumental surf punk band from New Jersey, round out the bill.