Sounds of summer: Nickel Plate District Amphitheater expands outdoor concert opportunities

The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in downtown Fishers has been growing as a live-music destination for the past several years, and 2025 is no exception. The venue will host its usual variety of free Tuesday concerts, along with seven ticketed concerts — more than double what was offered last season.

“We’re really proud of this high caliber lineup and we’ve made a great name for ourselves in the entertainment industry, which is pretty exciting,” said Marissa Deckert, Fishers Parks and Recreation director. “It’s no wonder that we were voted No. 4 best places to live, yet again.”

Fishers recently was named by U.S. News and World Report as the No. 4 top place to live in the United States. “Happiness” was one of the factors considered in that ranking and a lot of happy people scored tickets for the now-sold-out debut show of the season, Sam Barber, who performs June 7.

“We have a few others that are getting close to sold out, too,” Deckert said. “So, that’s pretty exciting. I think what I love about this lineup, too, is there’s really good variety in the genres that we’re offering. So, Sam Barber kicks it off and he’s kind of a folk-rock, singer-songwriter, and then the following week, we have Chase Rice, which is pretty traditional country music — very popular.”

Indie rock groups are set for the next couple of shows, with Band of Horses on June 18, followed by Yo La Tengo and Built to Spill July 17.

“Then July 25, Michael Franti and Spearhead will be coming, and they are real feel-good, reggae, soul, funk music,” Deckert said. “I’ve had a few people say, ‘Oh, I don’t think I know Michael Franti.’ And I go, ‘Well, if you’ve seen any commercial in, like, the last 10 years, you’ve probably heard Michael Franti.’ Lots of really good, feel-good, kind of summer music. It’s going to be a great vibe out there.”

Regional funk band Here Come the Mummies will perform Aug. 9, bringing a unique sound and a unique look to the stage.

“The entire band dresses up as mummies and performs the entire show (as mummies),” Deckert said. “So … something we haven’t had at the (Amphitheater) before, but that’s selling really well and has a great following in the (Indianapolis) area. So, I’m excited to see how that shakes out.”

The seventh ticketed show is Sept. 13, featuring Ole 60 from Kentucky, a country band that bills itself as “not your father’s country band.” That may or may not be the whole list, Deckert said.

“There might be a couple other announcements — we’re waiting to hear back on those,” she said. “But (it’s) a pretty solid lineup and a big uptick in ticketed concerts from last year, when we only had three.”

For more about NPD ticketed concerts, visit npdamp.com/calendar-tickets

The downtown venue also offers free concerts every Tuesday in June and July — with extra performances thrown in for the annual Spark!Fishers festival and the Fourth of July. Deckert said the first free concert is set for June 3, featuring Mike & Joe, a returning favorite.

“A lot of these are bands that we’ve had in the last couple years and we like to switch it up, so there’s a couple new ones in there, but we always get feedback from the community that they have their favorites,” she said. “So, why stray if we know that a band has a really good following and brings a really good vibe?”

On June 17, the concert venue will celebrate Juneteenth in partnership with the Fishers High School Future Black Leaders Club and City Councilor Tiffanie Ditlevson.

“We booked Toy Factory, and it’s a band made up of almost all Black musicians,” Deckert said. “Then we’re focusing on booking Black-owned food vendors for that concert on June 17.”

Deckert said the concert will promote the Juneteenth Jubilee, set for 5 to 8 p.m. June 19 at Conner Prairie. Juneteenth is a federal holiday that marks the day the last enslaved people in the United States achieved freedom on June 19, 1865.

Free concerts during Spark!Fishers are June 24, featuring 80s cover band Sixteen Candles followed by a drone show; and another performance — artist to be announced — on June 27, followed by a fireworks show.

For the Fourth of July, Indianapolis cover band My Yellow Rickshaw will play a special free concert, followed by the traditional fireworks.

“I’m really excited about this summer,” Deckert said. “Whether it’s Nickel Plate Amp or the Fishers Event Center, we’ve got you covered on live music — that’s what I’m really excited about, you know? Fishers is the place to be this summer.”

For a list of free Tuesday concerts, visit fishersparks.com/summer-activities-events/free-tuesday-concerts.

Free Tuesday concerts at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater are free with no ticket or registration required to attend. Participants can bring lawn chairs or blankets. Food and drink vendors will be on-site. Concerts begin at 7 p.m.

Spark!Fishers and Fourth of July concerts also are free, but start at 8 p.m.

Nickel Plate District Amphitheater ticketed concerts have varying start times and some restrictions related to lawn chairs and outside food and beverages. See your ticket purchase confirmation for details.