BEST BETS LIVE: May 8-14, 2008
Tegan and Sara
INDY TOP 10 LIVE: April 24-April 30, 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
No tag for this post.1. Tegan and Sara
7:30 PM, Thursday May 8, Egyptian Room, $23
Band mates and identical twin sisters Tegan and Sara make their first visit to Indianapolis since performing at the Midwest Music Summit in 2005. Since that appearance the popular Canadian indie rockers have released a new album, 2007’s “The Con,” and a download-only EP. The duo should find a larger audience on this visit thanks to their frequent appearances on US TV and use of their songs on the soundtracks of popular television shows.
2. DeVotchKa w/ Basia Bulat
7 PM, Saturday May 10, The Vogue, $15
A special Saturday get-in-early/get-out-early show at the Vogue brings Denver-based “gypsy punk” band DeVotchKa to town. The gypsy part of that fusion comes from the southern and eastern European sounds that influence the group’s music. The punk comes from the rock elements that power their songs. The group found their biggest audience when they were selected to compose the score for the film “Little Miss Sunshine.”
3. Joey DeFrancesco Trio
8 & 10 PM, Saturday May 10, Jazz Kitchen, $20
Hammond B-3 master and Jazz Kitchen favorite Joey DeFrancesco returns to Indy for two Saturday night shows at the Broad Ripple club. The musician learned his craft playing with his father’s bands when he was six. At seventeen he was invited to be part of Miles Davis’ band. DeFrancesco has spent most of the last two decades leading his own acts, getting credit for bringing the B3 organ back into vogue in the jazz world.
4. The Bravery3 PM, Sunday May 11, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, $10
In recent years the roar of guitars has been as familiar a sound at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the roar of engines. This year the Speedway has eight concert events to accompany the on-track activities leading up to race day. Indie/electronica act The Bravery performs on the second day of qualifying. Their current single, “Believe,” is in the top 10 on the modern rock tracks chart.
5. Company of Thieves, Randy King and the Positions, The Working Hour
9 PM, Saturday May 10, Radio Radio, $5
Springtime means more bands from around the region are visiting Indy and introducing themselves to local audiences. Company of Thieves is such an act. The Chicago-based group plays upbeat pop inspired by The Beatles and akin to groups like XTC. They match up nicely with Indy’s The Working Hour, another pop group with a catalog filled with shiny, upbeat indie pop. Randy King and the Positions rounds out the bill.
6. Matthew Ryan Vs. The Silver State w/ Jon Dee Graham & Jeff Byrd & the Wingmen
10 PM, Saturday May 10, Sam’s Saloon, $12
The latest in a line of artists inspired by the alt-rock of the 80’s and 90’s, Matthew Ryan’s music draws comparison to groups like U2 at their most stripped down and The Replacements at their most mellow. His music has also found fans among alt-country loyalists as well. The songwriter and his backing band released their latest album, the eponymous “Matthew Ryan Vs. The Silver State,” earlier this year.
7. Yellowcard w/ Ludo & DJ Orion
1:30 PM, Saturday May 10, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, $10
Pole Day, the traditional first day of qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, has always been popular among race fans. Now it earns some points from music fans as well. Rockers Yellowcard and Ludo are set to perform while the racers try to land a coveted spot in the front row for the 500. Qualification runs start at noon with music kicking in at 1:30 with DJ Orion. The first band hits the stage at 3 PM.
8. Devils of Belgrade CD release show w/ Raise the Red Lantern, Bloodwolf, & Red Horse
10 PM, Friday May 9, Melody Inn, $6
A crop of new hard rock bands has risen up on the Indy scene over the last year. The first records from these groups are making their way to the fans. Devils of Belgrade is the latest to release a CD. They are celebrating the release of “Tracks of the Cloven Hoof” with a show at the Melody Inn on Friday. Fellow heavy rockers Raise the Red Lantern, Bloodwolf, and Red Horse share the bill.
9. Hot Buttered Rum w/ The Giving Tree Band
9 PM, Friday May 9, The Music Mill, $15
Though they call San Francisco home, Hot Buttered Rum’s music has roots in the bluegrass of the Appalachian Mountains. The California quintet has worked to modernize that sound, though, by adding in elements of rock, jam and jazz into their mixture. The group moves on from this club show into a steady stream of festival dates carrying them through the summer. Chicago string band The Giving Tree Band opens.
10. Tantric w/ Framing Hanley, Fosterchild, Takota
8 PM, Tuesday May 13, The Vogue, $6
Fans of the Louisville-based modern rock band Tantric will have a tough time recognizing the current lineup. Three of the four members who formed the group out of the ashes of the band Days of the New have moved on, leaving only vocalist Hugo Ferreira to carry on the name. The brand new lineup, which features a full-time violinist, released their latest record, “The End Begins,” in April.
