Live music in Madison, IN

Vocalist Tracey Morris performs with her combo at The Winner's Circle of Jazz at The Black Rabbit in Louisville. Table reservations are strongly encouraged.

Fountain Square partners with Inhailer Radio for Visit Cincy presents 513 Airwaves, a summer concert series that showcases local and regional talent in the heart of Downtown Cincinnati. Programmed by the Inhailer team, each show blends rising favorites with established indie artists for live performances on the Square. This edition features Sungaze with LimeLight and Goof Juice. Support comes from Visit Cincy, Inhailer Radio, and Fifth Third Bank.

LEATHER & LACE at Derby City Pizza Company "PRP" features an evening of music.

English singer and songwriter John Waite returns to Cincinnati for a performance at Taft Theatre, with John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band supporting. For nearly half a century he has paired a distinctive, soulful voice with sharp songwriting about longing, resilience and everyday life, continuing to write, record and tour with the drive of an artist still in pursuit of the next great song. Waite first made his mark with The Babys, singing and playing bass on hits like Isn't It Time and Every Time I Think of You, then Back on My Feet Again, before launching a solo career that rose with Ignition and peaked globally with No Brakes. Missing You became a defining single of the MTV era and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. A 2006 duet version with Alison Krauss spent 21 weeks on the Hot Country Songs chart. The track has found fresh momentum through Harlan Coben's Netflix thriller Missing You, igniting social sharing, landing on prominent Spotify and Apple Music playlists, and climbing to No. 12 on the iTunes charts. It now counts more than 275 million plays on Spotify and 75 million views on YouTube. He returned to the top of the charts as frontman of Bad English with When I See You Smile, which helped send the group's debut to multi-platinum status. His songs have appeared across film, television and gaming, from True Romance, About Last Night and Vision Quest to Warm Bodies, Anchorman 2 and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and they have fueled national advertising such as a Hanes campaign. Across more than a dozen solo releases he has blended rock, folk, country and blues while continuing to evolve, a journey captured in the 2022 documentary John Waite: The Hard Way. Onstage he treats favorites and deep cuts as living work, reshaped by experience and time. This performance brings that enduring voice and catalog to Taft Theatre.

Louisville’s longest running gathering for music collectors continues under a new name at Highalnds Community Ministries, bringing back familiar faces with a shared goal of keeping it a standout in the Kentuckiana scene. Admission is $5. Expect more than 40 vendor tables with thousands of finds across pop, rock, metal, jazz, big band, country, R&B, rap and hip hop, soundtracks, vocals, comedy and beyond, including collectibles, imports, picture discs, posters, books, CDs, cassettes and plenty of vinyl. Dealers scheduled to set up include Motorsoule Vintage with Dan Saifer, Glen Hensley, Jon Whyland, Tim Furlong, Jorin Edgerly, Wright Sounds with Jeremy Wright, Amplified Lou with Athena Prychodko, Kevin’s Records with Kevin Keller, Bob Hawkins, Kyle Graham, Jeffery Lee Puckett, Frank and Dave Bowman, Chris Freund, Daniel Dean, Jeff Hubbard, Brent Bomersbach, Gregg Gibson, Jimmy Miller, Troy Hubbard, Chas Andrews, Cardiac Records with DJ YngSteve, Brian Smith, John Beam, Tim Hall, Leroy Purcey, Bob White, Phil Ciulla, Gary Graves, Gabe Close and David Stockhoff, with more to be announced. A BCW Supplies table will offer sleeves and other products to help protect new treasures, LRS-102, Louisville’s Rock Stream, will be on hand with goodies, and there will be a sign-up for a chance to win gift certificates from Better Days Records.

Now in its third year, Artists & Afros returns as Kentucky’s largest Black art show. This immersive weekend celebrates art, culture, and community with soulful live jazz, striking visual art, and opportunities for meaningful connection.

A free celebration of Louisville’s jug band music heritage presents eight bands. Families can enjoy children’s activities and take part in workshops, while savoring local food along with beer and wine. The festivities take place beside the Ohio River.

Bed By 10 brings a club night tailored for the 30-plus crowd to Bourbon Hall. Relive the energy of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s as the resident DJ spins classic dance tracks and the room comes alive with striking visuals. The focus is on upbeat energy, connection, and great music, perfect for anyone who wants to dance and still feel fresh the next day.

Fern Creek Christian Church in Louisville, KY hosts a tour stop featuring David Phelps, widely recognized for a phenomenal voice that spans more than three octaves and a rare ability to connect deeply with a song. Audiences around the world have seen him bring down the house in renowned venues. His career includes multiple Dove and Grammy honors along with several platinum-selling recordings.

Lyfe Jennings brings a live performance to Bogart's in an all ages setting. The lineup and schedule may change without notice, and entry protocols are subject to updates. By purchasing tickets, attendees agree to follow the requirements in place at the time of the event. Ticket access includes a public onsale, a Live Nation presale, and Citi cardmember presale and preferred options. For the latest information on entry guidelines, consult the venue's website.

A shamanic sound journey awaits with the immersive tones of drums, singing bowls, chimes and voice. Shamanic Reiki Master Ashley Ballard and Healing Touch Practitioner Chris Rust weave their musical talents into a distinctive healing experience. Drawing on current astrology, shamanic insights, music theory and intuitive guidance, they tailor the soundscape and energy work to support what each participant may need that day. Guided meditation, group healing and focused attention for individuals are included, using specific sound tools to deepen the process. Held in a welcoming yoga studio setting, the experience flows through a settling welcome, a transformative sound bath journey and a heart-centered closing connection. This gathering is offered monthly. Sacred Serenity Healer homemade herbal products will be available for purchase throughout. Attendance is limited to 35 participants. A sliding-scale contribution of $10 to $30 is suggested, with payment accepted by cash at the door, Venmo, Cash App or Zelle. Complete the form in the tickets section to receive payment options, and choose to pay ahead for quicker entry or pay upon arrival. No one is turned away, and those who are able are encouraged to pay it forward. Late arrivals are not permitted once the sound bath begins. For comfort, bring items such as a yoga mat, blanket or pillows to lie on, and wear relaxed clothing. The experience is deeply calming and it is common to drift into sleep. Emotions may surface as energy shifts, and Ashley and Chris are available for support throughout.

Ballroom dance enthusiasts can look forward to live big band music in the upstairs ballroom at KingFish Louisville as the 17-piece Swing Street Big Band with Harvey Turner performs. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 502-895-0544. Admission is $18,01 and includes the buffet.

Local and regional jazz artists perform every Monday at the Sherwin-Williams Porch, adding to Cincinnati’s thriving jazz scene. Attendees can enjoy a favorite drink while a rotating roster brings a range of sounds and ensembles. Artists featured across the run include Sophia Troyer, Love of Country Jazz Quintet Plays Cowboy Bossa Nova, Brent Gallaher Quintet, Mambo Combo, Estrada do Sol, Faux Frenchmen, Ricky Nye, Pamela Mallory Quartet, Little Saudade, Mandy Gaines and Brad Meyers, Jim Connerley Quartet, Camille Saba Smith, Bacchanal Steel Band, Marc Fields, Keigo Hirakawa Trio, Lili Shires and Steve Schmidt, Hank Stephens and Erwin Stuckey, Five Little Bears, Phil DeGreg Trio, Retro Nouveau featuring Jack Garrett, Noisepolice, Al West Jr, Jordan Pollard Trio, Queen City Cabaret, Daniel Bennett and the Dirty Shirleys, and Dixie Karas. Admission is free and tickets are not required. Programmed in collaboration with Jazz at the Memo, with thanks to sponsors GBBN, Sherwin-Williams, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

This alfresco lunchtime market features live music and a lineup of local food trucks. The food trucks change daily, offering a fresh mix of options each time. Presented with support from Strauss Troy and Fifth Third Bank, and produced by 3CDC.

Bright Eyes takes the stage for an all-ages concert that welcomes music fans of every generation. Through a partnership with PLUS1, one dollar from each ticket supports the Poison Oak Project and its work to advance equity for LGBTQ+ people, with a particular focus on the trans community. Opening acts and the schedule may change without prior notice or refunds. Entry policies may be updated, and purchasing a ticket signifies agreement to follow the requirements in effect at the time of the event. For the latest protocols, check the venue’s website ahead of attending.

Aaron Jacobs teams up with Brad Meyers and Jason Smart for a jazz performance at Muse.

Each week, Food Truck Wednesday delivers a lunchtime blend of food trucks and live music, turning a Downtown street into a pedestrian friendly spot for midday meals. Traffic is halted so vendors can set up, creating an open streetscape where Downtown workers, visitors, and convention attendees can enjoy added dining choices. Extra seating is available with picnic tables set on the nearby plaza. Offerings range from gourmet dishes to familiar picks like burgers and tacos, with coffee and frozen desserts available on select dates. Presented by JPMorganChase with support from River City Bank.

Vanilla Fudge brings its pioneering blend of psychedelic and heavy rock to Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati. Celebrated for dramatic, symphonic arrangements and inventive reinterpretations of pop favorites, the group was among the first American bands to fuse these styles, helping set the stage for the rise of heavy metal. Their breakout take on The Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” sparked widespread attention and led to tours with Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, and Led Zeppelin. More than five decades on, they continue to carry their distinctive sound to stages across the country.

Cincinnati’s Blue Wisp Big Band marks 45 years of big band jazz at Caffè Vivace in Walnut Hills. The ensemble features Jeremy Long and Jamie Walkenhauer on alto saxophone, Brent Gallaher and Dan Drees on tenor saxophone, and Larry Dickson on baritone saxophone. The trombones are Jeff Owen, Clarence Pawn, and Brian Stevens with Gary Langhorst on bass trombone, the trumpets are Jeff Folkens, Hank Mautner, John Zappa, and Kim Pensyl, and the rhythm section is Steve Schmidt on piano, Mike Sharfe on bass, and Jim Leslie on drums. Founded in 1980 by drummer John Von Ohlen and trumpeter Don Johnson, the band took its name from the original Blue Wisp Jazz Club. Von Ohlen came to Cincinnati after years with major jazz orchestras including those led by Stan Kenton and Woody Herman, and he teamed with Johnson to assemble the horn section. With Steve Schmidt and Michael Sharfe already working with Von Ohlen at the club, the rhythm core formed quickly. Regular Wednesdays at the Blue Wisp followed, recording began in 1981 with an LP sponsored by WKRC, and four more albums appeared on Fred and Helen Morr’s Mopro label. Those LPs were later reissued by Sea Breeze in the mid 1990s, including a set recorded in Los Angeles during a 1984 West Coast tour, and distribution brought attention and airplay across the United States and Europe. Alumni include trumpeter Tim Hagans and bassist Lynn Seaton. The group kept its Wednesday tradition at the Blue Wisp until the club closed in 2014, then appeared at Japp’s Annex downtown, had a brief run at Pirate’s Den in Westwood, and spent three years at Urban Artifact in Northside before establishing a new home at Caffè Vivace. A $15 drink and food minimum per person per set applies if the party’s beverage purchases do not meet the minimum. Seats may be released without refund if check-in has not occurred within 15 minutes after a set begins. Tickets are non-refundable. If attendance is not possible, a one-time transfer to a future Blue Wisp Big Band performance of equal value is available when requested at least 24 hours before the performance start.

Robin Trower brings a single-night performance to Cincinnati at The Andrew J Brady Music Center. The venue enforces a clear bag policy, and guests should check the venue website for the full list of rules and prohibited items. Across more than six decades, the English guitarist has carved a remarkable path. He helped power Procol Harum in the Sixties, built a major U.S. following with the 1974 album Bridge of Sighs, and continued to collaborate while writing songs that retain fresh energy. The gold-certified Bridge of Sighs, featuring the late Jim Dewar on vocals and bass, remains a landmark, and Trower’s expressive touch has inspired artists ranging from Steve Lukather to Opeth. Armed with the classic pairing of a Fender Stratocaster and a Marshall amp, he obsesses over tone and feel, shaping music from spontaneous guitar ideas into fully formed tracks. His catalog spans the punch of Ball of Fire, Losing You and Cloud Across the Sun to the slow-building, wah-soaked textures of Deadly Kiss. Recordings such as Waiting for the Rain to Fall and I Will Always Be Your Shelter showcase crystalline phrasing and a soulful melodic voice. Recent studio work has featured contributions from Livingstone Brown on bass, Chris Taggart on drums, and Richard Watts on vocals.

For more than ten years, the City of Hillview, Kentucky has celebrated Thursday nights with bluegrass performances featuring Dave Perkins and his band. This event combines a fish fry with traditional fixings and live bluegrass, creating a friendly setting to share a meal and make new connections while enjoying the music.

Bear Ghost brings the Tiny Hitman Tour 2026 to Annie's Music Center in Cincinnati, joined by Sarah and the Safe Word and Spaceman Bob. This event is open to all ages.

Melissa Manchester brings an intimate evening of music to Ludlow Garage, showcasing the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter’s celebrated catalog. Experience the unmistakable voice behind classics like “Midnight Blue,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” “Come In From the Rain,” and the Grammy-winning “You Should Hear How She Talks About You,” performed live in a close-up setting. Over more than five decades, her work has spanned pop, film, television, and Broadway, and she made history as the first artist to perform two Oscar-nominated songs in the same year. Her songs have been recorded by Barbra Streisand, Roberta Flack, and Alison Krauss, and recent highlights include Fifty Threads: An Artist’s Journey (2025) along with acclaimed appearances in Funny Girl on Broadway.