ISO musicians gain pay increase in new 3-year labor contract
According to a spokesperson for the musicians, incremental pay increases will add up to a 9.6% raise across three years.
Music
‘Amazing Indiana Music Stories’ captured in longform video series
The Indiana Music History Project is rolling out an online collection of 50 video interviews with prominent Hoosiers.
Upgraded outdoor concert stage planned at Indiana State Fairgrounds
A $4 million project at the Indiana State Fairgrounds includes a new concert stage and a makeover for Celebration Park.
Shelbyville to add concert amphitheater as cultural amenity
City leaders in Shelbyville say the planned $14 million amphitheater is expected to boost economic development.
Indiana nonprofit to facilitate development of ‘A Beautiful Mind’ musical
Discovering Broadway will host workshop sessions for adapting the story of mathematician and Nobel Prize winner John Nash, featured in the 2001 Oscar-winning film.
FTC sues Ticketmaster, saying it forces fans to pay more for concerts and events
Ticketmaster controls 80% or more of major U.S. concert venues’ primary ticketing, according to the FTC.
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra season to begin with ‘Dolly Parton’s Threads’
The Indianapolis shows, Sept. 19-20, were among the first 11 announced for the concert that features orchestral arrangements of hit songs.
IBJ Podcast: Dave Lindquist previews can’t-miss events on 2025-2026 A&E calendar
For this week’s episode of the IBJ Podcast, Editor Lesley Weidenbener talked with Dave about how he decides what makes the IBJ’s A&E Fall Preview guide list and which events he’s most excited about.
Otis Gibbs’ creative life includes his music, YouTube
The prominent Indianapolis musician with a healthy following in Europe is experiencing a career renaissance thanks to storytelling videos he posts on YouTube.
Q&A: Debra ‘Fergy’ Ferguson leads company that makes ads for major concert tours
Beyond radio commercials and ad-mats, TourDesign produces video content for online platforms and television plus lyric videos for record labels and even album covers, in the case of rock band Toto.
National Independent Venue Association to discuss concert policy in Indianapolis
The Live Policy Summit is scheduled Oct. 15-16, when music industry leaders will discuss topics such as event ticketing and sound ordinances.
Indiana State Fair to follow ‘Vinyl Revival’ with movie-themed art exhibit in 2026
“Rewind” will feature hand-painted movie imagery that promoted VHS tapes and DVDs in stores from the 1980s into the early 2000s.
Johnny Socko album gets new life thanks to rescued recordings
Thanks to a rescue effort by Indianapolis-based audio engineer Ryan Adkins and tape restoration by famed producer Steve Albini, a 30th-anniversary edition of Johnny Socko album “Oh, I Do Hope it’s Roast Beef!” is scheduled for release Aug. 1.
Post music festival unites adventurous bands, fans in Fountain Square
The annual Post music festival is a rare homegrown success in Indianapolis, but most people who care about the event don’t live here.
Country singer Alex Williams mines the roots of metal anthems
The latest from Alex Williams is a covers album of 1980s hits popularized by Poison, Ratt, Motley Crue and other bands.
Restaurants, bars say they’re getting squeezed by rising music licensing costs
Businesses say the rising licensing costs have become overwhelming, and some question whether it’s even worth playing music at all.
WNBA All-Star, Indiana Black Expo organizers view big weekend as chance to team up
Organizers of both organizations are trying to make sure one doesn’t overshadow the other.
Music and comedy lineup unveiled for WNBA’s Fever Fest
Rapper-singer The Kid Laroi and sitcom star Cedric the Entertainer lead the lineup for the WNBA All-Star Weekend event, produced in conjunction with Hartbeat, a company founded by comedian, actor and entrepreneur Kevin Hart.
2025 Corporate 100: Sweetwater’s focus on the details builds high-value relationships
IBJ talked with CEO Mike Clem about Sweetwater’s huge Fort Wayne campus, which includes the nation’s largest music store, a performance pavilion, recording studios, professional service center, theater, café, salon and more.
Bill Murray, Babyface concerts planned for Indiana State Fair
The Hoosier Lottery Free Stage series includes performances by Three Dog Night and Melissa Etheridge as well as a Disney-themed dance party.