INDIANAPOLIS — “Music in Transit,” an award-winning concert web series created in partnership with IndyGo, Square Cat Vinyl, and GANGGANG, will return for its fifth season in June, with filming taking place May 5-7 in Fountain Square. Audiences are in for a special treat as the entire cello section of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra co-headlines this year’s line-up, including Austin Huntington, Rachel Ko, Nick Donatelle, Stephen Hawkey, Sam Viguerie, James Cooper, CJ Collins, and Jonah Krolik.
The public can expect fun and approachable arrangements of classical pieces and familiar tunes showcasing programs from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s regular season at Hilbert Circle Theatre.
The new season will be available on Square Cat Vinyl’s YouTube channel, with the first video debuting on June 20. Additional music videos will be released every Sunday at noon following the season five premiere.
“IndyGo is excited by the continued expansion of ‘Music in Transit,’ and the addition of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra to our lineup this year is a real bonus,” said IndyGo President and CEO Inez Evans. “The fact that these many diverse, talented, local musical offerings are free and easily accessible to all, further exemplifies the mission of our IndyGo Cares programming.”
Featured performers for the “Music in Transit” 2023 series include:
- Brother O’ Brother – rock n roll (Indianapolis)
- Inner Peace – hardcore rock (Indianapolis) (led by hip hop legend Drayco McCoy)
- Everything, Now! – rock/pop (Muncie)
- Emmaline (co-headliner) – incredible Jazz singer (Anderson)
- Hyper Tensions – psychedelic rock (Bloomington)
- Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Cello Ensemble (co-headliner) – featuring musicians from Indiana’s world-class orchestra
- Robin Raps – quirky hip hop with brass band (Indianapolis)
As a special bonus this year, the first-ever “CHREECE IN TRANSIT” micro-series will feature six rappers backed by the legendary DJ Top Speed, in support of the Aug. 26 return of the CHREECE hip-hop festival in Fountain Square. Featured performers include:
- Ali Buckets
- Keyze AriZona
- Foxdlegnd
- Stokes
- 4200 Kory
- Jada Bell
“I can’t wait to work with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra,” said “Music in Transit” Co-creator and Director Jake Huber. “I have always wanted to incorporate an act that has such prestige, not only locally but worldwide, into this amazing program.”
“The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to participate in the ‘Music in Transit’ series and introduce our incredibly talented musicians to new audiences far and wide,” said James Johnson, CEO of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. “This dynamic program builds excitement around the performing arts and engages our community around shared musical experiences, which is the driving force behind the ISO. We are grateful for the innovative work of IndyGo, Square Cat Vinyl, and GANGGANG that makes this program possible.”
“Music in Transit” was created in 2019 by Square Cat Vinyl, a coffee and record shop located along the Red Line in Fountain Square, with the support of the Indy Arts Council to celebrate the local arts community in tandem with the expansion of public transit. Since its inaugural season, the series has received seven NATAS Regional Emmy nominations with one win for outstanding audio in 2019. The series also received Indy Chamber’s 2020 Monumental Award for public art.