Top Five Live: Mellencamp closing tour in Indiana

Picks from freelance writer Seth Johnson and Star reporter David Lindquist for the best Central Indiana concerts happening July 31-Aug. 6.

John Mellencamp

7:30 p.m. Aug. 4, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., $39.50 to $129.50, (317) 917-2500, thingstodo.indystar.com/events/98522442.

The Indiana-born rock star caps off his 80-date tour with one final show at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The tour in support of his latest album “Plain Spoken” also took Mellencamp to South Bend, Bloomington, Evansville and Fort Wayne. For this Indianapolis date, a portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Riley Children’s Foundation, which supports Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.

Old Crow Medicine Show and Sturgill Simpson

7 p.m. Aug. 2, Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St., $35, (317) 776-8181, thingstodo.indystar.com/events/92659580.

Touring in support of its latest “Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer” EP, Old Crow Medicine Show brings its lively string band sound to the Lawn, joined on the bill by rising alt-country artist Sturgill Simpson. Inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry in 2013, Old Crow scored its biggest hit to date with the song “Wagon Wheel,” which has now been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for selling more than 1 million copies.

One Direction

7 p.m. July 31 at Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., $26.50 to $99.50, (317) 262-8600, thingstodo.indystar.com/events/96198576.

After forming and finishing third on the British version of “The X Factor,” this English-Irish pop group quickly became a household name thanks to chart-topping hits “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life.” The quintet became a quartet in March, when Zayn Malik left One Direction. But the seven-leg tour of the world continues, including the group’s Indianapolis debut Friday.

Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire

7:30 p.m. Aug. 2, Klipsch Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St., Noblesville, $24 to $124, (800) 745-3000, thingstodo.indystar.com/events/96814578.

In a double bill that’s clicked since 2004, Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire are on the road again. This version of the tour is billed as “Heart and Soul,” and Chicago trumpet player Lee Loughnane breaks down the formula as Chicago’s heart and Earth, Wind & Fire’s soul. “One of the most exciting things about the show is when both bands perform at the end of the concert,” Loughnane said in a statement promoting the tour.

Harry Connick Jr.

7:30 p.m. Aug. 6, Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, 1 Center Green, Carmel, sold out, (317) 843-3800, thingstodo.indystar.com/events/98324307.

Carmel’s Center for the Performing Arts kicks off its fifth-anniversary season with a performance from prolific jazz vocalist-pianist Harry Connick Jr. With more No. 1 albums than any other artist in U.S. jazz chart history, the New Orleans native has earned three Grammy awards while also finding success as an actor (“Hope Floats,” “Dolphin Tale”) and “American Idol” panelist.