TOP 10 LIVE: April 17-April 23, 2008
SPOON
INDY TOP 10 LIVE: April 17-April 23, 2008
Weekly best bets for the Indianapolis music lover. The Indy Top 10 Live is compiled by a selection panel of local print, radio, and internet journalists and is new every Thursday online and in print in Indy.com.
Text by Steve Hayes
1. Spoon w/ Prizzy Prizzy Please
No tag for this post.6:30 PM, Saturday April 19, The Vogue, SOLD OUT
For the second time in as many weeks, a sold out show at the Vogue tops this list. This time Spoon takes the honors. The Austin, TX-based group has won over fans with their sparse but instantly catchy pop melodies. The group cracked the top 10 of the Billboard album chart with their most recent release, 2007’s “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.” Bloomington’s Prizzy Prizzy Please opens the show before heading out on their own spring tour.
2. The Cool Kids w/ Twilight Sentinels, DJs Indiana Jones & Marcus
8:30 PM, Sunday April 20, The Vogue, $17
Count The Cool Kids as the latest group that got their start by distributing their music online and has since grown into a buzz act. The hip-hop duo met online and began collaborating to create music. They initially released all their tracks through their MySpace page, but have since gotten signed to a label and have their first record due in May. In between they’ve performed at most major music festivals and been a favorite of the media.
3. Circle City Ska Fest
1 PM, Saturday April 19, The Underground at Harrison Center, $10
If any ska fans in Indy have felt neglected by the live music scene, this event should make up for it. This all-day, all-ages event features 20 acts, including seven Indy-based bands. Shot Baker from Chicago, The Pinstripes from Cincinnati and We Are the Union from Ann Arbor, MI are among the headliners making the trip to play the show. You can get full details on the acts, set times, and samples from selected bands at myspace.com/indyska.
4. Chiodos w/ MXPX, From First To Last, The Color Fred7 PM, Sunday April 20, Egyptian Room, $20
Chiodos grew from their DIY roots in suburban Flint, MI to a favorite of the emo/hardcore underground to now being a top 10 band on the US album charts. Their latest release, “Bone Palace Ballet,” debuted at #5 and elevated the group to headliner status. They bring a powerful lineup with them with longtime pop-punk favorites MXPX, The Color Fred (a group headed by Taking Back Sunday’s Fred Mascherino), and From First to Last opening.
5. Dick Dickinson’s Retirement Show
8 PM, Wednesday April 23, The Chatterbox
Dick Dickinson has been a consistent feature at the Chatterbox for over 20 years. The drummer’s Dick Dickinson Jazztet has been performing with the help of numerous guests every Wednesday at the Mass Ave. club for over two decades. This Wednesday the 80-year-old Dickinson hangs up the sticks on his regular gig. Stop by to offer congratulations and welcome the Jesse Wittman Trio as they take over the Wednesday night slot.
6. Michael Bublé
8 PM, Friday April 18, Conseco Fieldhouse, $51.50-81.50
Michael Bublé is a throwback to the crooners and vocal jazz singers of the 20th century. His modern interpretation of pop standards has earned him a worldwide audience and helped him sell over 11 million albums, including his most recent international #1 “Call Me Irresponsible.” His success has translated to the concert stage as his shows on previous legs of this tour have been consistent sell outs.
7. The Blakes, Rooms, America Owns the Moon
9 PM, Friday April 18, Radio Radio, $7
Fans of lean and powerful indie pop get a treat this week as The Blakes visit Indy. The group delivers melodic power in the vein of classic groups like The Who and Kinks. They’re joined by a pair of like-minded Indy-based groups in America Owns the Moon and Rooms. This show marks the second of AOTM’s two-show emergence from their hiatus. Their Elvis Costello-meets-The Replacements sound and Rooms’ Television/Talking Heads-inspired rock make for perfect openers.
8. All Four Original Members of Asia
8:30 PM, Monday April 21, Music Mill, $35
This event’s promoters want no mistakes made. The show features Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Steve Howe, and Carl Palmer, a.k.a. the founding members of rock supergroup Asia. So don’t expect to see John Payne, Guthrie Govan, Jay Schellen, or any of the other 17 musicians who have passed through Asia in the last 25 years. Though this lineup was initially together for only the first two albums, they did create most of the groups hit singles.
9. Vulgar Boatmen
9 PM, Saturday April 19, Spencer’s Stadium Tavern, $5
Operating in the shadow of the soon-to-be-completed Lucas Oil Stadium, Spencer’s Stadium Tavern serves up a mix of libations and live music leaning toward the roots rock side. Longtime local favorites the Vulgar Boatmen add their name to the roster of acts performing at the Tavern on Saturday. The nationally known act performs two acoustic shows in the Tavern’s intimate live music setting.
10. Mucca Pazza w/ The Leisure Kings & The Playboy Psychonauts
9 PM, Thursday April 17, The Vogue, $5
A busy weekend of live music at The Vogue starts Thursday with a visit by Mucca Pazza. The 30-piece group from Chicago bills themselves as a “circus punk marching band” and promises to put on a fun show. Expect to hear everything from Eastern European marches to punk covers to TV theme songs. They’re joined by two of Indy’s more unique acts: lounge rock duo The Leisure Kings and sitar driven trio the Playboy Psychonauts.
