• Indiana State Fairgrounds Announces Expansion of Hoosier Lottery Stage
• Booking partnership with MOKB Presents
• New design will turn seasonal attraction into state-of-the-art year-round concert and event destination

The Indiana State Fair Commission today formally announced plans for a multi-million dollar expansion and renovation for its on-campus boutique amphitheater, the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage, set to be completed in time for the 2026 Indiana State Fair. The venue is located in the heart of Indianapolis and has the infrastructure and accessibility of the Indiana State Fairgrounds complete with ample parking and varying capacity configurations in a familiar and unmatched setting for all Hoosiers to enjoy.

The enhancements for the Hoosier Lottery Stage will include improvements to all facets of the venue including:

• New stage and expansion – 60’x40’ main stage with two 30’x40’ wings
• Added roof height – 30’ from stage deck to bottom of roof structure
• Total roof load capacity upgrade – 92,000 lbs.
• Brand new dual 10’x18’ LED video walls (flown stage left and right)
• Flexible seating capacity setups – 5,000-7,500 (depending on general admission or reserved seated shows or a mix of both general admission and reserved seating)

“Enhancing the Hoosier Lottery Stage concert area is an important investment for the future of the Indiana State Fairgrounds experience. These improvements allow us to better serve our guests, attract top-tier entertainment, and continue providing unforgettable moments for Hoosiers each summer, including outside of the Fair,” said Anna Whelchel, Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer for the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center.

For years, the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage has been a major part of the annual Indiana State Fair where it welcomes internationally known artists of all genres. As the centerpiece of the State Fair’s entertainment lineup, it has built a powerful reputation among artists and audiences alike as a must-play stage on the State Fair circuit. Past performers on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage include Babyface, Tyler Childers, STYX, The Beach Boys, Melissa Etheridge, Boyz II Men, The Fray, Chase Rice, Max McNown, Barenaked Ladies, Jesse McCartney, Josh Turner, Kansas, Casting Crowns, Patti LaBelle, for King & Country, Rick Springfield, Buddy Guy, Dogstar ft. Keanu Reeves and many, many more. The renovation will be designed and built to not only enhance the State Fair experience, but to create a true concert facility and event venue accessible 365 days a year.

Today, the State Fairgrounds also announced a partnership where Indiana-based concert promotions company, MOKB Presents will program and book the Hoosier Lottery Stage during non-State Fair dates.

“The Hoosier Lottery Stage at the Indiana State Fairgrounds is an excellent addition to our portfolio of venues that we represent in Indiana,” said Dan Kemer, Co-Owner and VP of Programming for MOKB Presents. “This renovation and expansion will serve as a great opportunity for artists, managers and agents looking for an alternative outdoor Midwest-based venue in the 5,000-7,500 capacity range. And, it’s a facility that Hoosiers are already familiar with and will now be able to enjoy throughout the year.”

“For us, the partnership with MOKB Presents is a strategic step forward—allowing us to maximize the potential of our facilities, expand our impact within the Indianapolis concert scene, and create more year-round opportunities for Hoosiers to connect and celebrate at this iconic institution,” said Anna Whelchel, Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer for the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center.

For more information, please visit www.indianastatefair.com

For booking inquiries, contact:
Dan Kemer: dk@mokbpresents.com
Jason King: jk@mokbpresents.com

About Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center
The Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center is a modern public event facility that annually hosts
more than 400 meetings, shows, sports and agricultural events, including the Indiana State Fair. The
year-round management of the Fairgrounds is overseen by the Indiana State Fair Commission which is a quasi-governmental agency that was established in 1992, with the mission to preserve and enhance the Indiana State Fairgrounds and the annual Indiana State Fair for the benefit of all citizens of Indiana.

About MOKB Presents:
Founded in 2008 with the mission to attract more touring artists to Indiana, MOKB Presents has become a powerful independent force in Indianapolis’s live music scene. Over the years, MOKB has produced more than 5,000 top-tier events and now hosts over 500 shows annually, helping launch and grow nationally touring acts like Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson, The Lumineers, Tyler Childers, The Avett Brothers, and Alabama Shakes from their early indie days to today’s stages. As MOKB focused on developing artists, it also began creating live music venues to support its expanding concert business, starting with the LO-FI Lounge, followed by HI-FI, HI-FI Annex, and now a full-scale indoor facility set to open in late 2026. In addition to producing events in the marquee venues it has created, MOKB Presents hosts events across multiple Indiana venues, including Nickel Plate District Amphitheatre, Fishers Event Center, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the just announced Hoosier Lottery Stage at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. MOKB also provides event production, talent buying, and ticketing services to clients such as The Clyde Theatre in Fort Wayne and Hendricks Live! in Plainfield.

As a promoter, MOKB Presents is committed to developing Indianapolis as a vibrant music destination, nurturing a diverse community of musicians, live producers, and fans. Key initiatives include driving the development of Indy’s Music Strategy, creating the Indiana Independent Venue Alliance, and anchoring the D-Tour promoter alliance. MOKB also served on the local host committee for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, bringing a uniquely local perspective to the event’s entertainment lineup. For more information, visit www.mokbpresents.com.

Indianapolis – MOKB Presents announces the construction of a new indoor venue in the Murphy Arts Center, the same site that currently hosts HI-FI Annex as a temporary outdoor venue. Set to open in early 2026, the new indoor space will provide a permanent home for the tentatively named HI-FI Annex and build on its success as a catalyst for the Fountain Square music scene.

Originally conceived as a temporary pandemic-era solution, HI-FI Annex quickly filled a unique need in Indianapolis’ entertainment landscape, attracting audiences and top tier talent with its dynamic outdoor setting.

“When we opened our first venue, we didn’t have a detailed plan, but we did have a vision,” said Josh Baker, partner and CEO of HI-FI & MOKB Presents. “It’s been a humbling journey filled with unexpected challenges, adaptation, and getting really lucky. With each expansion and renovation, we’ve moved closer to realizing our dream of creating a multifaceted entertainment and arts facility.”

The new venue will feature an expanded footprint, nearly doubling the size of its outdoor predecessor. The versatile event space will include a cutting-edge concert hall with a projected capacity of more than 1,200, as well as an underground, speakeasy-style room for intimate gatherings and pre- and post-show events.

Significantly, the new location will bring HI-FI Annex’s outdoor operations indoors, addressing considerations such as neighborhood impact, reclaimed parking, and regulatory challenges, all while maintaining its community-oriented approach.

“Fans can expect our continued commitment to delivering high-caliber entertainment and exceptional customer service—hallmarks of the experience we’ve provided over the past 10 years at HI-FI and the first five years of HI-FI Annex,”said Dan Kemer, partner and vice president of events. “The new space and increased capacity perfectly complement our growing group of venues, which now includes LO-FI Lounge and HI-FI. With venues ranging from 100 to 1,200+ capacity, we’re uniquely positioned to support artists, managers, and agents year-round at every stage of an artist’s career.”

With roots stretching back over 100 years, Fountain Square has a rich history as an entertainment destination. Once home to five theaters, each with more than 1,000 seats, the area drew large audiences for performances and silent films.

“This neighborhood was built on entertainment,” Baker said. “After being separated from the city by the creation of the I-65 interstate, it lost much of its audience and regular traffic. HI-FI, along with our fellow Fountain Square businesses, has been aggressively working to recreate the elements that long defined this area.”

The new venue will rise on the former site of the historic Granada Theatre, a fitting nod to Fountain Square’s entertainment legacy. With a renewed commitment to fostering arts, music, and culture, HI-FI aims to make a lasting impact on Indianapolis’ live entertainment community and solidify Fountain Square’s position as the city’s top arts and entertainment district.

“The HI-FI has been a major draw to our district for the last 10 years, and with the addition of the Annex, it has gained national recognition as one of the premier music venues in the Midwest,” said Justin Jones, president of the Fountain Fletcher District Association. “This new indoor venue is the next step in building on the momentum created by the vibrant mix of local businesses and artists that define our community.” 

2025 will mark the final season of HI-FI Annex in its outdoor configuration, with concerts beginning in early April. Through the first 5 years of the outdoor venue, HI-FI Annex has hosted hundreds of shows featuring such notable artists as Band of Horses, Shakey Graves, Larry Fleet, Afghan Whigs, Charley Crockett, Guided By Voices, Atmosphere, Backseat Lovers, Wynona Judd, KMFDM, The Buzzcocks and many more. A full schedule of events for the 2025 outdoor season, running April through October, will be announced soon. Construction on the indoor venue will continue as the outdoor season takes place.

“The evolution of HI-FI from a small, 100-capacity venue to where it is now has been transformational,” said Craig Von Deylen, manager of the Murphy Arts Center. “The synergy between arts, music, and culture in Fountain Square is unmatched in Indianapolis. This project is a significant step toward strengthening that foundation as the area grows as the city’s premier arts district. We look forward to the continued growth and success of HI-FI and MOKB Presents.”

Over the past decade, HI-FI’s trio of venues has welcomed more than 500,000 visitors to Fountain Square, benefiting area businesses. HI-FI’s commitment to Fountain Square is further demonstrated through donations and support for key organizations, including SEND and the Southeast Community Center. In addition to attracting concertgoers, HI-FI has engaged with the community by sponsoring events such as Art Squared, Scare in the Square, and various neighborhood activities throughout the Fountain Fletcher District.

For more information and inquiries, visit this page to get connected.

IBJ’s Dave Lindquist covers HI-FI’s pandemic resilience and outlook on 2022

To cap off what could only be considered as a rollercoaster of a year, our team stands proud to land two venues on the Pollstar Top 200. After having just about everything thrown at us for the last year and half, our little Fountain Square team has kicked, screamed and fought to keep live music rolling through the pandemic.

This industry recognition shines a light on all of the work, both seen and unseen, our team has put in to keep Indy’s live music scene strong – and on the national radar.

IBJ’s David Lindquist interviewed HI-FI co-owner Josh Baker for a special feature on Indianapolis entertainment venues and the outlook on 2022. You can read the full interview here (with IBJ subscription) or pick up a copy at your favorite newsstand.