Hear that? It’s the scintillating sound of Indy’s live music venues beckoning you to a performance you’ll never forget.
The concert scene is truly unmatched in our area — from bass to bluegrass to Beethoven, there’s a stage for any type of tune.
To get to know them all, you must do three things: put your hands in the air, wave ‘em like you just don’t care, then lay your eyes (and ears) on our guide.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse attracts some of the most dynamic performers in music.
Photo by @zoesheartphotography
Arenas/Stadiums
Lucas Oil Stadium | 500 S. Capitol Ave.
Capacity: 70,000+
It doesn’t get any bigger than this. Lucas Oil hosts the world’s best entertainers — upcoming events include the country music trifecta of George Strait, Chris Stapleton, and Little Big Town, and the Taylor Swift Eras Tour.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse | 125 S. Pennsylvania St.
Capacity: 18,345
Gainbridge regularly packs its stadium for huge music events. And it’s looking out for the foodies among us — there are 100+ places to purchase concessions inside.
Indiana Farmers Coliseum | 1202 E. 38th St.
Capacity: 6,500
This venue, which underwent a $53 million renovation in 2012, hosts over 150 events annually. Highlights include the All-IN Music & Arts Festival, a two-day live music fest that draws thousands of concertgoers.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presents unique concerts year round, such as live accompaniment to famous films.
Photo by @jas_fishburn
Concert halls
Old National Centre | 502 N. New Jersey St.
Capacity: up to 2,500
The history of this building, which houses the oldest stage in downtown Indy, is truly fascinating. Larger shows typically take place in the concert hall or the performing arts theater, but we’ve seen plenty of talented acts in the smaller basement rooms too.
Hilbert Circle Theater | 45 Monument Cir.
Capacity: 1,660
Home to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Hilbert Circle Theater is Indy’s home for all things classical music, including fun events like popular films in concert.
Butler Arts & Events Center | 4602 Sunset Ave.
Capacity: up to 2,148
This university sure knows how to put on a show. With no less than six halls + auditoriums, you can find pretty much any type of music you’re looking for, from symphonies and choirs to soul jam and Fleetwood Mac tribute bands.
The Center for Performing Arts | 1 Carter Green
Capacity: 1,600
Smack dab in the middle of Carmel’s Arts & Design District is a trifecta of state-of-the-art venues: the Palladium, the Tarkington, and the Studio Theater, each of which offers a variety of live music performances year round.
The Vogue | 6259 N. College Ave.
Capacity: 950
When The Vogue isn’t hosting drag shows, silent discos, or ABBA dance parties, it’s showcasing live music. The theater switched from movies to concerts in 1977 and now sees hundreds of indie artists grace its stage each year.
Outdoor settings
TCU Ampitheater | 801 W. Washington St.
Capacity: 6,000
TCU attracts some of the biggest names to pass through Indy, thanks to the incredible acoustics and seating capacity of its open air ampitheater. If you have lawn seats, make sure you arrive early with your own low-profile chair to get the best possible view.
Ruoff Music Center | 12880 E. 146th St.
Capacity: 24,790
Drive up to Deer Creek — ahem, Ruoff for a memorable outdoor music experience. The wide variety of food and drink vendors inside the gates makes it easy to weather even the hottest, longest concert days.
Garfield Park MacAllister Ampitheater | 2425 Conservatory Dr.
Capacity: 5,000
Who doesn’t love free outdoor music in a beautiful park setting? Garfield Park offers the largest lineup of all city parks, but if it’s too far away from you, Riverside Park, Broad Ripple Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Watkins Park, and Eagle Creek Park also participate in the summer concert series.
Holliday Park | 6363 Spring Mill Rd.
Capacity: 2,500
This 95-year old park makes the perfect setting for the Rock the Ruins summer concert series, featuring internationally acclaimed acts. Founded in 2021, the festival continues to attract bigger artists + crowds.
Every night is a crowded night when the venue is as small as Chatterbox.
Photo by @brockkingsley
Intimate spaces
Chatterbox Jazz Club | 435 Massachusetts Ave.
Capacity: 75
This tiny hole in the wall would be easy to miss if it wasn’t for the incredible live jazz that floods out of its open doors. It’s as divey as they come, with a million stickers on its crumbling walls and no kitchen, but even Mick Jagger knows it’s an essential stop for jazz lovers.
Healer | 3631 E. Raymond St.
Capacity: 300
It’s impossible to describe Healer to someone who hasn’t been there. It’s both experiential and experimental art, and the talented musical acts that perform here are just as unique. Trust us on this one — Healer is truly one-of-a-kind.
The Cabaret | 924 N. Pennsylvania St.
Capacity: 190
Broadway lovers are more than familiar with The Cabaret, where legends from the Great White Way can be found performing in intimate shows that make you feel like you’re a member of a stylish secret society. If you don’t want to drop a pretty penny on a typical event, The Cabaret also hosts The Alley in the summer, which features free outdoor music for all ages.
Radio Radio | 1119 Prospect St.
Capacity: 250
This 21+ independent music venue is only open for shows, but you’ll consistently catch some of Indy’s best musicians here as you enjoy the first-class sound system and beautiful winding bar.
HI-FI | 1043 Virginia Ave.
Capacity: 400
Right in the heart of Fountain Square, HI-FI offers music lovers the chance to get up close and personal with their favorite acts. During the summer, the HI-FI Annex out back offers open air concerts for all ages — and as a bonus, hungry concertgoers can order food from the adjacent Easy Rider Diner year round.
Restaurants/Bars/Cafes
The Mousetrap | 5565 N. Keystone Ave.
Capacity: 200
The Mousetrap may be a Grateful Dead bar, but its musical guests range from jazz to bluegrass to bass music and beyond. When you need a break from the booming speakers, play some pool or order food — City editor Shea has survived some late nights here thanks solely to their chili cheese tots.
The Jazz Kitchen | 5377 N. College Ave.
Capacity: 125
Nothing pairs better with world-class live jazz than etouffee and crab cakes. You can catch the Jazz Kitchen slinging both almost every day of the week in a casual yet sophisticated listening room setting.
The Rathskeller | 401 E. Michigan St.
Capacity: up to 500
Craving some Bavarian flair? Look no further than the Rathskeller, which pairs its rich German history with live local music in the outdoor biergarten during summer months and indoors when the cold sets in. Pro tip: stop by in December, when the Kellerbar puts up its holiday decor and looks like a Hallmark movie set.
Brick House Dueling Pianos | 6235 Guilford Ave.
Capacity: up to 150
If you like the random chaotic nature of karaoke but don’t want the spotlight on you, you’ll love Brick House, where dueling piano bands play songs requested by the live bar audience.
Tin Roof | 36 S. Pennsylvania St.
Capacity: 450
This unpretentious shotgun shack bar offers up live country and rock music (and the occasional DJ set) alongside scratch-made, Southern inspired food.
The Melody Inn | 3826 N. Illinois St.
Capacity: 125
One of the oldest bars in Indy, the historic Melody Inn features diverse musical lineups — with an unfailing Punk Rock Night every Saturday.
We want to hear from you
While the show must always go on in Indy, it’s time for our list to take a bow. We know there are even more venues to be added — share them with us and they may see the spotlight in the future.
