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Performances by Kiss, Luke Bryan, Gary Clark Jr. and Melissa Etheridge highlight the music roster for August.
David Lindquist/IndyStar, David Lindquist/IndyStar
Music fans can maximize their concert experiences in August, when Indiana hosts festivals devoted to hip-hop, blues and styles in between.
For dedicated followers of extreme rap duo Insane Clown Posse, Indiana is the only place to be this week. The 60-act Gathering of the Juggalos is expected to shake up Faygo bottles and much more at Lawrence County Recreational Park.
Elsewhere in Southern Indiana, Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground will host two multi-act events: Chubbstock and the Bean Blossom Blues Festival.
In Indianapolis, you’ll find the Chreece hip-hop festival as well as Romanus Fest and the St. Thomas Aquinas SausageFest.
More details on August’s music festivals:
Gathering of the Juggalos
Insane Clown Posse (Violent J, left, and Shaggy 2 Dope) will bring the “Gathering of the Juggalos” to Indiana this summer. (Photo: Getty Images)
When: July 31 to Aug. 4.
Where: Lawrence County Recreational Park, 99 Moore Lane, Springville.
Tickets: $195.
Info: Visit juggalogathering.com.
Insane Clown Posse members Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope will showcase their high-profile friends when this festival makes its Indiana debut. Morris Day & the Time, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Gwar, Tech N9ne and Geto Boys will perform on the main stage — billed as the “Soopa Stage.” Hip-Hop pioneer KRS-One will play the Shazam Stage, and the comedy segment of the festival includes stand-up from Gilbert Gottfried and a “Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic” variety show from “Trailer Park Boys” actor Patrick Roach.
Chubbstock
The Kentucky Headhunters will perform Aug. 3 as part of Chubbstock. (Photo: Ash Newell photo)
When: Aug. 1-4.
Where: Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground, 5163 Ind. 135 N., Morgantown.
Tickets: $30 to $100.
Info: Visit billmonroemusicpark.com.
With a name inspired by Arthur “Chubby” Wadsworth, former owner of bygone Indianapolis nightclubs the Patio and Club LaSalle, Chubbstock will present acts such as the Kentucky Headhunters and Raelyn Nelson (Willie’s granddaughter) at the Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground. Kentucky Headhunters guitarist Richard Young recalled playing Monroe’s 80th birthday party at the same venue in 1991 — the year the Headhunters won their best country performance Grammy Award. “Bill Monroe didn’t allow people to play electric instruments at his festival,” Young told IndyStar. “Everybody there was scared to death, because we pulled up with a two-ton truck and started unloading Marshall amplifiers and double-bass drums.”
The Headhunters decided to open with a relatively mellow song, “Walk Softly on this Heart of Mine.” Nevertheless, Monroe approached the stage. “But he has his mandolin,” Young said. “He walks up, pulls a microphone down and flies right in there with us. I swear to you, it was like Jimi Hendrix on mandolin.”
Romanus Fest
Brother O’ Brother will perform Aug. 10 as part of Romanus Fest at Square Cat Vinyl. (Photo: Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar)
When: Aug. 10.
Where: Square Cat Vinyl, 1054 Virginia Ave.
Admission: Free.
Info: Visit facebook.com/romanusrecords.
If you have an idea for sealing something inside a vinyl record, Indianapolis-based Romanus Records probably already did it. In addition to splashing color on traditionally black platters, Romanus has incorporated razor blades, sand and even pulsating LEDs into records. For the second Romanus Fest, the independent company is filling selected records with beer from Upland Brewing Co. — one of the event’s sponsors. The performance lineup for Romanus Fest includes Death Valley Girls, Mutts, Brother O’ Brother and Bigfoot Yancey.
St. Thomas Aquinas SausageFest
Lani & the Tramps will perform Aug. 17 as part of St. Thomas Aquinas SausageFest. (Photo: Annette Williams photo)
When: Aug. 16-17.
Where: St. Thomas Aquinas Church and School, 4625 N. Kenwood Ave.
Admission: Free.
Info: Visit staindy.org.
This event coincides with the 50th anniversary of the original Woodstock festival in upstate New York (Aug. 15-18, 1969). The food at St. Thomas Aquinas SausageFest — originating at Kincaid’s Meat Market, Byrne’s Grilled Pizza and Illinois Street Food Emporium — undoubtedly has the edge when compared to brown rice and granola served to hundreds of thousands of Woodstock attendees. Regarding tunes, SausageFest acts such as Lani & the Tramps and Gideon Wainwright & the Constitution will wake up the echoes of Woodstock’s three days of peace and music.
Find the best things to doBean Blossom Blues Festival
The Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band will perform Aug. 23 as part of the Bean Blossom Blues Festival. (Photo: IndyStar file photo)
When: Aug. 22
Where: Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground, 5163 Ind. 135 N., Morgantown.
Tickets: $35 to $80 if purchased before Aug. 6.
Info: Visit beanblossomblues.com.
Here’s a chance to catch the globetrotting Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band on its home turf. Brown County’s Big Damn Band, nominated for a Blues Foundation award in the category of blues rock album for 2018 release “Poor Until Payday,” will be the Aug. 23 headliner at Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground. The Aug. 24 Bean Blossom Blues Festival roster includes the Record Company (2017 Grammy nominee), Larkin Poe (duo that toured with Keith Urban in 2018) and Cedric Burnside (grandson of late blues musician R.L. Burnside).
Chreece
Talib Kweli will perform Aug. 24 as part of the Chreece hip-hop festival in Fountain Square. (Photo: Getty Images)
When: Aug. 24.
Where: Eight venues in Fountain Square.
Tickets: $30.
Info: Visit chreece.com.
Talib Kweli — a rapper known for eight solo albums as well as collaborations with Mos Def, Kanye West and Hi-Tek — leads a roster of 70 acts appearing at the fifth annual Chreece hip-hop festival. A mix of high-profile performers (Griselda Records’ Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine and Benny the Butcher) and Indiana standouts (Flaco, Drayco McCoy and Trajik) will appear on eight stages in Fountain Square. The countdown to Chreece begins 5 p.m. Aug. 1 at Richard G. Lugar Plaza, 200 E. Washington St., where Manon Voice and Mickey Young will perform as part of a free, all-ages kick-off party.
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Call IndyStar reporter David Lindquist at 317-444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.
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