The Indianapolis area is always a important stop for touring acts in the summer, and this year is no different.
Music lovers will have the chance to jam out to the psychedelic sounds of Dead & Company, ride the “Crazy Train” one last time with Ozzy Osbourne and belt along with your favorite country crooners such as Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert.
But while the arena-rock legends, cutting edge hip-hop trendsetters or pop culture icons that come to town generate the most buzz, great music is also available to local residents at small venues and free concerts throughout Johnson County.
You’ll get to hear your favorite songs under the stars, and not have leave your wallet in tatters.
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To help you get ready for the summer, the Daily Journal has gathered the best of both worlds. For every big-name, main-stage act that will be coming to town, we’ve found similar bands that would serve as a good opener. Find the ones that work best for you, and happy concert-going.
Main stage
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Details: 9 p.m. June 9, the Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave., Indianapolis; $30 advance, $35 day of
Why: With a blistering jazz style and a backing band laying down danceable rhythms, Trombone Shorty puts on a performance that begs you get up and move your feet.
Local alternative
Toy Factory
Details: 7 p.m. June 9, Greenwood Amphitheater; 6:30 p.m. June 28, Greenwood Park Mall; 5:30 p.m. Aug. 18, Mallow Run Winery; all shows free
Why: The Indianapolis mainstay crafts a set list from some of music’s most popular dance groups, including Earth, Wind and Fire, Beyonce and Van Halen.
Main stage
Jimmy Buffett
Details: 8 p.m. Thursday, Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St., Noblesville; $35 to $146
Why: Jimmy Buffett may be nearing 70 years old, but he and his traveling circus keep bringing their tropical vibes to venues across the country. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of his classic album “Son of a Son of a Sailor” on his return to central Indiana, his first concert in the area since 2016.
Local alternative
Parrots of the Caribbean
Details: 6:30 p.m. June 21, Greenwood Park Mall; 7 p.m. July 28, Greenwood Amphitheater; all shows free
Why: The Ohio-based band incorporates the same beats as Buffett — the tropical garb, blues-based rock and even some of Jimmy’s most popular songs — while adding bits of country, zydeco and their own tunes to create a unique concert experience.
Main stage
Outlaw Music Festival
Details: 6 p.m. June 23, Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center; $21 to $198
Why: Willie Nelson lends his outsider country cred to a traveling circus of some of roots music’s sharpest voices, including Sturgill Simpson, Old Crow Medicine Show, the Head and the Heart and JD McPherson.
Local alternative
Blue River Band
Details: 7 p.m. June 2, Greenwood Amphitheater; 6:30 p.m. June 14, Greenwood Park Mall; 5:30 p.m. Aug. 25, Mallow Run Winery; all free
Why: Blending country, rock, blues and other elements together, the Greenwood-based band stays true to the grit that makes country music great.
Main stage
The Beach Boys
Details: 8 p.m. July 13 and 14, Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers; $37 adults, $13 children ages 2 to 12
Why: Central Indiana may be far from the surf and sand, but rock’s most prominent beach band is bringing the good vibrations back to Indianapolis this summer for a concert sure to include classics such as “Surfin’ Safari” and “Help Me Rhonda.”
Local alternative
Sounds of Summer
Details: 5:30 p.m. July 7, Mallow Run Winery; $15 advance, $20 day of
Why: Picture what it was like to see the Beach Boys back in their heyday, when the youngsters celebrated fast cars, sunny days and California girls. The Southern Indiana band performs more than 30 of the group’s hits, telling the story of the band along the way.
Main stage
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Details: 7:30 p.m. June 1, Farm Bureau Lawn at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St., Indianapolis; $55 to $189
Why: The gravelly voice and thumping rhythms underscore Rateliff’s soulfulness and old-school rhythm and blues influences. The mixture is perfectly suited for a balmy June evening.
Local alternative
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
Details: 7 p.m. June 23, Mallow Run Winery; tickets $15 advance, $20 day of
Why: Rough, gruff and rootsy, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band bring rollicking blues-tinged riffs from the hills of southern Indiana for a special show at Mallow Run.
Main stage
Chicago
Details: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11, Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center; $21 to $198
Why: Though the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band has plenty of rocking tunes to its name, most people will remember their easier-going sounds. The band will be playing their album “Chicago II” in its entirety, followed by a long encore and other hits.
Local alternative
Yacht Rock Revue
Details: 7 p.m. Aug. 11, Mallow Run Winery; tickets $15 advance, $20 day of
Why: On a warm summer evening, with a cool breeze blowing, it just seems right to listen to some of the seminal light rock of the ‘70s and ‘80s, including Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald and Seals & Crofts.
Main stage
Def Leppard and Journey
Details: 7 p.m. July 3, Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center; $28 to $178
Why: You would be hard pressed to find more iconic songs from the 1980s than those written by Def Leppard and Journey. From “Pour Some Sugar on Me” to “Don’t Stop Believing,” these two powerhouses promise a night loaded with greatest hits from start to finish.
Local alternative
Rod Tuffcurls & the Benchpress
Details: 6:30 p.m. July 12, Greenwood Park Mall; free
Why: The ‘80s were an eminently silly time in music, and this Chicago-based band celebrates this fact in every show, performing the decade’s greatest hits.
Main stage
Ozzy Osbourne
Details: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23, Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center; $23 to $274
Why: Heavy metal’s reigning madman has announced he’ll be hitting the road one last time this summer, a farewell event that may not feature biting any heads off of bats but should still include plenty of mayhem.
Local alternative
Hairbangers Ball
Details: 7 p.m. June 2, Mallow Run Winery, $15 in advance, $20 day of; 6:30 p.m. July 5, Greenwood Park Mall, free
Why: Celebrating the hard rock scene of the 1980s, Hairbangers Ball knows their way around a shredding guitar solo or pounding drum break.
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Greenwood Summer Concert Series
All concerts start at 7 p.m. at the Greenwood Amphitheater, Craig Park
- June 2: Blue River Band
- June 9: Toy Factory
- June 16: Flying Toasters
- June 23: Stella Luna and the Satelites
- July 14: Tastes Like Chicken
- July 21: The Big 80s
- July 28: Parrots of the Carribean
- Aug. 4: Indy Nile
- Aug. 11: The Doo
Greenwood Park Mall Summer Concert Series
Concerts are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the outdoor fountain plaza at the mall, 1251 US 31N, Greenwood
- June 7: Henry Lee Summer
- June 14: Blue River Band
- June 21: Parrots of the Caribbean
- June 28: Toy Factory
- July 5: Hairbanger’s Ball
- July 12: Rod Tuffcurls
- July 19: Meet The Beetles Tribute Band
- July 26: Howl at the Moon Indianapolis
Bargersville Summer Concert Series
7 to 10 p.m., downtown Bargersville
- June 22: The Luke Carol Project
- July 13: Cari Ray & The Shaky Legs
- Aug. 17: Haywire
Picnic Concert Series
Mallow Run Winery, 6964 W. Whiteland Road, Bargersville
- May 26: The Doo! Band, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
- June 2: Hairbangers Ball, 7 p.m., gates open at 5:30; tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of, children 12 and under free
- June 9: Cari Ray & The Shaky Legs, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
- June 10: Woomblies Rock Orchestra, 2 to 5 p.m., free admission
- June 16: Tastes Like Chicken, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
- June 23: Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, 7 p.m., gates open at 5:30; tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of, children 12 and under free
- June 30: Flying Toasters, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
- July 1: Mr. Zero, 2 to 5 p.m., free admission
- July 7: Sounds of Summer, a Beach Boys tribute, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
- July 14: Idols Kings, a Journey, Tom Petty and John Mellencamp tribute, 7 p.m., gates open at 5:30; tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of, children 12 and under free
- July 21: Endless Summer Band, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
- July 28: Living Proof, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
- Aug. 4: Jim Curry, a John Denver tribute, 7 p.m., gates open at 5:30; tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of, children 12 and under free
- Aug. 11: Yacht Rock Revue, 7 p.m., gates open at 5:30; tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of, children 12 and under free
- Aug. 18: Toy Factory, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
- Aug. 25: Blue River Band, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
- Sept. 1: My Yellow Rickshaw, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
- Sept. 2: Mike & Joe, 2 to 5 p.m., free admission
- Sept. 3: Joe Hess & the Wandering Cowboys, 2 to 5 p.m., free admission
- Sept. 8: Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
- Sept. 15: American English, a Beatles tribute, 7 p.m., gates open at 5:30; tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of, children 12 and under free
- Sept. 22: Stella Luna & the Satellites, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free admission
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