Janet Jackson, George Strait and more: 15 big spring concerts around Indianapolis

The next three months of shows around central Indiana will comprise a who's who of rock, pop and country; classic stage works; and more than a few performers who blur genre lines.

Andrea Bocelli, Heart, Janet Jackson and Stevie Nicks are among iconic artists who will play to Hoosier crowds who have demonstrated their devotion to these musicians time and again. Artists in Indianapolis will put their own spin on the beloved musical "Little Shop of Horrors" and the ballet "Romeo and Juliet." And Indiana will again be on the cutting edge of a major musical show in development when Broadway and Netflix stars come to perform "The Trouble with Dead Boyfriends" after workshopping it here.

Here are 15 shows — including one first-of-its-kind Hoosier music festival — you won't want to miss in April, May and June.

Morgan Wallen

April 4-5. Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave. $69 and up. lucasoilstadium.com

The former "Voice" contestant has proven popular in Indy, delivering a sold-out 2022 Ruoff Music Center show in which he crowd-swam to the lawn section and had at least one bra flung his way. This time, Wallen will be downtown as part of his "One Night at a Time" tour.

AJR

April 12. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. $49 and up. ticketmaster.com

Adam, Jack and Ryan Met — the brothers who got their start busking in New York City — will bring "The Maybe Man" tour to Indianapolis. Their sound incorporates pop, electronic, dubstep and indie, among other styles, and they're known for their DIY approach to writing, producing and mixing.

Andrea Bocelli

April 13. Gainbridge Fieldhouse. $80 and up. ticketmaster.com and indianapolissymphony.org

The superstar tenor will join the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for the second time after a resoundingly successful first collaboration in 2022. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Bocelli's career, and he'll perform famous hits as well as repertoire from his solo album "Believe."

December 2022 review: Andrea Bocelli delivers otherworldly vocals in a stunning Indianapolis concert

'Little Shop of Horrors'

April 17-May 19. Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St. $25-$116. irtlive.com

A plant that sings R&B is seemingly Seymour Krelborn's path to success, and he names it after his true love. But the plant's requirement reveals a situation Krelborn isn't prepared to deal with in this comedic horror musical, with the book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken.

'The Trouble with Dead Boyfriends'

April 20. The Tobias Theater at Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road. $39-$169. discoveringbroadway.org

Three best friends find creative means to obtain prom dates in the what's billed as a "gory feminist musical comedy." Indiana-based Discovering Broadway will bring in several stars for a concert, including Myha’la (HBO’s "Industry" and Netflix’s "Leave the World Behind"), Arica Jackson (Broadway’s "The Book of Mormon"), Jimmy Brewer (Broadway’s "Shucked"), Carmel High School alum Eric Wiegand (Broadway’s "Plaza Suite) and Carmel resident Ephraim Owens (NBC’s "The Voice").

'Platanos y Collard Greens'

May 2-4. Indianapolis Black Theatre Co. at the District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave. $25. $18 seniors and students. indydistricttheatre.org

The first production of the newly formed Indianapolis Black Theatre Co., "Platanos y Collard Greens" follows the love story of a Black man and Latina woman — and how they deal with their friends' and families' opinions and communities' cultural differences. The play, by David Lamb, is presented with Cultured Urban Winery and Teresa Reynolds Arts & Events.

'Romeo and Juliet'

May 3-4. Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave. $15-$75. indianapolissymphony.org

The Indianapolis Ballet and Indianapolis Symphony will join forces to perform the powerhouse tragic love story. Artistic leaders of the production, choreographed by Septime Webre, include Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly and the ballet's founding Artistic Director Victoria Lyras.

George Strait, Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town

May 4. Lucas Oil Stadium. $118 and up. ticketmaster.com

The talent and iconic status of this lineup is nearly impossible to beat for country music fans. But the best part for Indy? Lucas Oil is the tour's first stop for the hitmakers of "All My Ex's Live in Texas," "Tennessee Whiskey" and "Girl Crush."

Heart and Cheap Trick

May 7. Gainbridge Fieldhouse. $35 and up. ticketmaster.com

The Royal Flush Tour will live up to its name with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Heart — with Ann and Nancy Wilson — and Cheap Trick. The groups' many popular songs include "Magic Man" and "The Flame," respectively.

I Made Rock 'N' Roll

May 18. American Legion Mall, 700 N. Pennsylvania St. $75. imaderocknroll.com

Janelle Monáe and Gary Clark Jr. will headline the Black rock festival, which is organized by cultural development firm Ganggang and promoter/The Vogue owner Forty5. Along with the lineup will be advocacy that recognizes Black musicians' contributions to the creation of rock and the industry's efforts to keep them from getting their due.

"I Made Rock 'N' Roll" is new for Indianapolis, which has been used to seeing WonderRoad in the spring. But organizers of the latter announced on Instagram that this year's WonderRoad has been postponed after financial challenges in 2023 and that they're looking to work with new partners.

Stevie Nicks

June 4. Gainbridge Fieldhouse. $99 and up. ticketmaster.com

Indy held the singer-songwriter in reverential status during her 2022 concert at Ruoff Music Center, where she delivered a soaring performance of "Landslide" and told the stories behind her songs. No doubt the city will hold her in the same regard at Gainbridge.

James Taylor

June 11. Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. $54 and up. livenation.com

Fans have had the pleasure of more than five decades of Taylor's baritone and iconic songs, including "Fire and Rain" and "Country Road." He'll come to Ruoff for his tour, "An Evening with James Taylor and his All-Star Band."

Janet Jackson

June 23. Gainbridge Fieldhouse. $40 and up. ticketmaster.com

The Hoosier icon will return to Indy for the second year in a row and likely to just as populous an audience, considering her May 2023 performance chock full of electrifying choreography, costume changes and vocals. Nelly will open for her.

Roger Daltrey

June 27. Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St. $75 and up. livenation.com

This founding member of The Who will bring his Voice of The Who tour with an electric/acoustic band. He'll perform hits, rarely heard works, his own solo music and tell stories from his six-decade career.

Dave Matthews Band

June 28-29. Ruoff Music Center. $67 and up. livenation.com

Hoosier audiences eagerly welcomed Matthews last July and again for Farm Aid in September. He'll be back with his stunning band, virtuosically delivering his catalog of songs — many of which have now become classics.

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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or [email protected]. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis concerts 2024: 15 spring concerts at Ruoff and more