MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

Final Four concerts shaping up to be slam-dunk success

David Lindquist
david.lindquist@indystar.com
Rihanna will perform on April 4 at White River State Park.

With big names on its roster, the NCAA is expecting big crowds for the March Madness Music Festival.

About 30,000 people are expected in White River State Park each day Friday through Sunday, according to Keith Martin, the NCAA's managing director of marketing and broadcast alliances.

But not all at once.

"These concerts are a good part of the day," Martin said. "There will be a flux of people in and out."

The festival is scheduled April 3-5, with concerts being staged in the space known each summer as the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park. It has a concert capacity of 7,500. The park's Celebration Plaza and Oval green space also will host festivities.

Admission to the non-ticketed event is free and open to the public on a first-come basis.

To entertain Final Four fans for seven hours on Friday, nine and a half hours on Saturday and eight hours on Sunday, the March Madness Music Festival boasts stars of rock, pop and country.

Dan Reynolds (left) and Ben McKee of Imagine Dragons will perform April 3 at White River State Park.

FRIDAY

The AT&T Block Party is scheduled 3 to 10 p.m. The AT&T Block Party will be streamed live at 4:30 p.m. April 3 at Uverse.com/ATTBlockParty.

Imagine Dragons, 8:30 p.m.: After breaking through to the mainstream in 2013 thanks to smash single "Radioactive," Imagine Dragons returned this year with second album "Smoke and Mirrors." Based in Las Vegas, the band has won trophies from the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and Teen Choice Awards.

Weezer, 6:30 p.m.: Enshrined in modern rock immortality for its 1990s self-titled debut and follow-up album "Pinkerton," Weezer continues a career second act that's featured hit songs "Island in the Sun," "Beverly Hills" and "Troublemaker."

Cold War Kids, 4:45 p.m.: This Southern California band issued its fifth album, "Hold My Home," in 2014. Cold War Kids reached the Top 30 of Billboard magazine's alternative songs chart with 2007's "Hang Me Up to Dry."

Michael Angelakos will perform with Passion Pit on April 3 at White River State Park.

SATURDAY

The Coca-Cola Zero Countdown is scheduled noon to 9:30 p.m. A live broadcast of the first semifinal game will be shown on a large screen in White River State Park. View a live stream of the music at NCAA.com/marchmadness/musicfest.

Rihanna, 8:15 p.m.: An excerpt of this pop superstar's new song "American Oxygen" is being used to promote TV coverage of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Rihanna also voices a main character in new animated movie "Home," which features co-stars Jim Parsons and Steve Martin. Her collection of chart-topping singles includes "Diamonds," "We Found Love" and "Umbrella."

Passion Pit, 4 p.m.: Led by singer-songwriter Michael Angelakos, Passion Pit is known for synthpop hits "Little Secrets" and "Take a Walk." Passion Pit is expected to preview songs from "Kindred," an album set for release on April 21.

Bleachers, 2:15 p.m.: Led by Fun guitarist Jack Antonoff, Bleachers is on tour to promote debut album "Strange Desire." Outside of his bands, Antonoff co-wrote the hits "Brave" and "Out of the Woods" with Sara Bareilles and Taylor Swift, respectively.

Lady Antebellum (from left, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood) will perform on April 5 at White River State Park.

SUNDAY

Capital One JamFest is scheduled 2 to 10 p.m. View a live stream of the music at NCAA.com/marchmadness/musicfest.

• Zac Brown Band, 8:30 p.m.: This country-and-more act — winner of three Grammy Awards since 2009 — is expected to preview songs from upcoming album "Jekyll & Hyde." Excerpts of this Zac Brown Band performance will air during Monday's national championship pregame show on CBS.

• Lady Antebellum, 6:30 p.m.: This Nashville trio has landed six singles at No. 1 on Billboard magazine's country airplay chart, including 2009 megahit "Need You Now." Lady Antebellum will return to Indianapolis to headline Klipsch Music Center on May 16.

• Kacey Musgraves, 4:30 p.m.: In March, this Texan issued her "Biscuits" single — her first release since 2013 breakthrough album "Same Trailer Different Park." At awards shows, Musgraves has racked up wins for new artist of the year (the 2014 CMA Awards), best country song (2015 Grammy Awards) and best country album (2014 Grammy Awards).

• Cole Swindell, 2:45 p.m.: Georgia native Swindell is known for his hits "Chillin' It" and "Ain't Worth the Whiskey."

SECOND-STAGE PERFORMERS

A second stage located north of the main stage will host music performances in White River State Park.

Friday:Jason Aaron Coons, 3:30 p.m.; the Easthills, 5:45 p.m.; Clayton Anderson, 7:45 p.m.

Saturday:Party Lines, 12:45 p.m.; Kid Quill, 3:15 p.m.; Reaul, 5:15 p.m.

Sunday:Dude!, 2 p.m.; Fancy Reagan, 3:45 p.m.; Hero Jr., 5:45 p.m.; Cadillac 3, 7:45 p.m.

WHAT TO BRING

For public safety reasons, the March Madness Music Festival is placing restrictions on bags at the event.

Fans are allowed to bring clear plastic bags no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or one-gallon clear plastic storage bags. Clutch purses no larger than 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches will be allowed.

Banned items include purses larger than a clutch bag, backpacks, camera bags, binocular cases, fanny packs, seat cushions and diaper bags.

Call Star reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.