Since opening, the Annex has become a beloved part of Indianapolis’ live music scene while navigating ongoing permitting challenges in a post-pandemic environment. After extensive behind-the-scenes work and strong public support, the venue has been granted permission to operate for one final season in 2026.

The HI-FI team shared, “After a long, grueling, paperwork-filled, meeting-heavy, deeply unglamorous process, we’re excited to officially say it: HI-FI Annex will return for an encore season in 2026.”

You can read the full story via HI-FI website.

For show announcements and updates, keep an eye on the HI-FI Annex page, follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for show updates.

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.

As the basketball fever takes over Indianapolis for the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, elevate your private event by hosting it at one of Indianapolis’ premier entertainment venues. Picture the electric atmosphere, the cutting-edge sound system, and the chic ambiance, all converging to create an unforgettable experience for your guests. With the demand for private event space, along with supplemental production and experience amenities, on the rise and many events already confirmed, now is the time to secure your Indianapolis venue.

View available venues

Ready to discuss your event? Contact Josh Baker: jb@mokbpresents.com.

Our Expert Team: Your Boots on the Ground: Our team has produced thousands of events, handling the intricacies every day. Your team will benefit from a well-tenured group of events and production experts, minimizing the lift required to host your event. From booking to production, activation to hospitality, our team is available to seamlessly step in or supplement any of your special event needs.

A Range of Venues and Sizes: Our venue portfolio spans capacities ranging from 100 to 3,000. With versatility in mind, our focus is on creating incredible experiences, whether it’s an intimate live podcast or a broadcast-quality concert experience. Location is key, and the majority of our venues are within 1 mile of Downtown Indianapolis, with sightlines directly to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Our venue list includes HI-FI Indianapolis (A Pollstar Top 50 club in the US), Fountain Square Theatre, LO-FI Lounge, The Vogue, The Athenaeum, White Rabbit Cabaret, and many more.

Our Crown Jewel: HI-FI, renowned for its stellar acoustics and vibrant atmosphere, serves as the perfect backdrop for your event during the NBA All-Star Weekend. Located in the heart of Indianapolis, HI-FI is more than just a music venue; it’s a versatile entertainment space housed in a historic arts building in the center of a vibrant entertainment district. The HI-FI complex features four unique venues and a Top 10 Yelp restaurant (HI-FI, HI-F Annex, LO-FI Lounge, Studio, and Easy Rider Diner) that offer a wide range of event and activation opportunities. From professional event staff to cutting-edge technology, every detail is crafted to ensure your NBA All-Star Weekend celebration is nothing short of extraordinary.

Seamless Planning with HI-FI Experts: Planning an event during a bustling weekend requires attention to detail and a touch of finesse. HI-FI’s event planning experts are ready to assist you every step of the way. From coordinating logistics to suggesting the best entertainment options, their expertise ensures that your event runs smoothly, allowing you to soak in the magic of the All-Star Weekend.

For more information contact: Josh Baker – jb@mokbpresents.com

In addition, HI-FI recently announced the opening of its new restaurant, Easy Rider Diner, located in Fountain Square in downtown Indianapolis, which features a Southwestern comfort food menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This new restaurant now connects HI-FI and HI-FI Annex (outdoor venue) and provides the ability to create a unique entertainment complex to pave the way for these changes. 

“Cultivating artists and creating live music experiences is what we do and it’s exciting to expand these offerings and experiences to a new demographic,” said HI-FI and Easy Rider co-owner Josh Baker. “The expansion of HI-FI with the addition of our new restaurant (Easy Rider Diner) allows us to close the loop on our original vision of creating a live entertainment hub in the heart of Fountain Square and complement our live music experiences with great food for our guests.” 

The Indy Music Strategy, a study by the Indy Chamber and economic consultancy Sound Diplomacy, cited that music and its surrounding industries account for over $1B in economic impact for Indianapolis annually. Creating more opportunities and access for younger artists and audiences is important as Indianapolis looks to grow the creative economy. Sound Diplomacy’s founder, Shain Shapiro, notes that “a thriving music ecosystem is inclusive of everyone, no matter their age. This change will create significant opportunities not just for HI-FI, but other venues across Indy. It is a demonstrable result of the study, yes, but more importantly the incredible work of Indy’s music entrepreneurs, actors, policymakers and musicians to continue to move the needle forward”

Wasserman Entertainment agent Jackie Nalpant (Sylvan Esso, Local Natives, Goth Babe, Hippo Campus) says, “Indy has always been a challenge for touring acts with the lack of all ages options at the club level. This positively impacts our ability to route more shows through the market.”

HI-FI continues to produce all ages shows in its outdoor venue, HI-FI Annex. Baker adds, “These new changes simply allow us to continue doing what we are already doing in The Annex, only at our indoor stage – year-round.”

The focal point of Indy’s Music Strategy identified the need for more all ages venues. “HI-FI’s new changes reflect a step in the right direction towards providing more live music options to a younger fan base, ultimately building a more creative city. Having a viable all ages option provides us another avenue to continue developing young artists,” said HI-FI & Easy Rider co-owner Dan Kemer.

HI-FI is currently developing a Frequently Asked Questions page for its new guests who fall between the ages of 18 and 21, with information on what to expect when attending shows. Jason King, HI-FI Partner, Senior Talent Buyer, adds “It’s important to deliver a consistent customer experience, regardless of age. We want to empower this new audience with all the information and guidelines needed for them to enjoy the show.”

UPCOMING SHOWS WITH AGE RESTRICTION CHANGES

Huckleberry Funk w/ The Vindys at HI-FI Friday, October 21st | 18+ | Tickets

Tigercub w/ Pat & The Pissers, Moon Goons at HI-FI Tuesday, October 25th | 18+ | Tickets 

Amanda Shires w/ Honey Harper at HI-FI Friday, October 28th | 18+ | Tickets 

The Cadillac Three w/ Everette at HI-FI Saturday, October 29th | 18+ | Tickets 

Arise Roots w/ IndyCa at HI-FI Tuesday, November 1st | 18+ | Tickets 

Stay Outside w/ Antlerhead, Spring Term at HI-FI Saturday, November 5th | 18+ | Tickets 

Nightly w/ vaultboy at HI-FI Thursday, November 10th | 18+ | Tickets 

Sun Room w/ Special Guests at HI-FI Saturday, November 12th | 18+ | Tickets 

Welshly Arms + Motherfolk at HI-FI Tuesday, November 15th | 18+ | Tickets

Andy Frasco & the U.N. w/ Little Stranger at HI-FI Thursday, November 17th | 18+ | Tickets

Slaughter Beach, Dog w/ 2nd Grade at HI-FI Saturday, November 19th | 18+ | Tickets 

Minnesota w/ Special Guests at HI-FI Friday, December 2nd | 18+ | Tickets 

Bendigo Fletcher w/ Special Guests at HI-FI Saturday, December 3rd | 18+ | Tickets 

Avi Kaplan w/ Maddie Poppe at HI-FI Saturday, December 10th | 18+ | Tickets 

Tickets for shows can be purchased online at hifiindy.com, at The Virginia Avenue Mercantile & HI-FI Box Office M-F 10am to 6pm, or one hour prior to doors on event nights at either HI-FI Annex box office on St. Patrick Street or the HI-FI box office on Virginia Avenue. HI-FI Annex shows are open to all ages (unless stated otherwise). All shows are general admission, standing room only unless otherwise noted. A limited amount of VIP seating upgrades are available for select shows by contacting boxoffice@hifiindy.com.  

RESOURCES

HI-FI Concert Photo – View

CONNECT

Web: www.hifiindy.com

Instagram: @thehifiindy 

Twitter: @hifiindy

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ABOUT HI-FI, HI-FI Annex, LO-FI Lounge

HI-FI and its entertainment complex features three live music venues (HI-FI, HI-FI Annex and LO-FI Lounge) and new restaurant – Easy Rider Diner.  HI-FI is located in the Murphy Arts Building in the heart of Fountain Square on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. Both venues have received numerous accolades, including Pollstar’s Top 50 Live Music Clubs Worldwide and “Best Music Venue in Indianapolis” from IndyStar.  HI-FI has emerged as a fan favorite due to its intimate setting and incredible sound quality, with fans traveling from all over the Midwest to catch a show.  HI-FI has had a long history of introducing Central Indiana music fans to the best new artists locally, regionally and nationally.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Josh Baker, HI-FI & Easy Rider

jb@mokbpresents.com

Andrea Hawman, @ELEVATE

andrea@elevate-supportservices.com

The brunch-inspired menu features a unique combination of American comfort food bursting with flavors of the Southwest. Chef Ricky Martinez says, “It’s been an exciting project to bring some of my favorite brunch recipes to life.”

Chef Ricky Martinez has spent the last decade creating some of Indy’s favorite menus at mainstays like Delicia (SoBro), Bocca (Fall Creek Place) and Havana (Fishers). With more than 18 years of experience, Easy Rider will be the Chef’s first Fountain Square venture. 

Hungry guests can expect traditional diner favorites like Chicken & Waffles, Eggs & Bacon, and Steak & Potatoes, Biscuits & Gravy; paired with adventurous Southwestern selections like Chilaquiles, The Cubano, Queso Mac & Cheese and Eggs In Purgatory.  Fans of a communal weekend brunch will be treated to food and drink features along with Mimosa flights and Bloody Marys. In addition to traditional seating, the new restaurant also offers a full bar, private dining area and meeting space for groups of 12 or more.  

Open Wednesdays through Sundays, Easy Rider will serve brunch, dinner and late night options. In addition to an extensive menu, fresh grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches will be available for guests on the run. Easy Rider will feature both family-friendly seated dining, as well as bar seating for adult guests, on a first come first served basis.  

HI-FI Partner Josh Baker shares, “We’re excited to bring a much needed down-home breakfast spot back to Fountain Square and thrilled to have Chef Ricky on board.” 

This new addition compliments HI-FI’s existing trio of live music venues, providing the centerpiece of connectivity and allowing more access to its customers – creating a unique entertainment complex.

General Manager Tony Basile (formerly of Iozzo’s) adds, “We’re confident the restaurant fills a need in the neighborhood while giving us the ability to collaborate with HI-FI to feed hungry concertgoers.”

Easy Rider opens to the public this Thursday, Oct. 13 at 8 a.m.

Easy Rider Diner Hours
Easy Rider will be open for breakfast, brunch and dinner with a select few late night options to feed hungry concertgoers. Initially, the diner will offer a baseline of regular hours but will frequently extend service times around popular concerts and events in the neighborhood. Daily updates will be shared on the restaurant’s Instagram page @easyriderindy. 

Wednesdays 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Thursdays 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Fridays 8 a.m. – 12 a.m.

Saturdays 9 a.m. – 12 a.m.

Sundays 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

ABOUT EASY RIDER DINER

Tucked away in the heart of Fountain Square, you’ll find Indy’s newest restaurant  – Easy Rider Diner. Easy Rider blends flavors of traditional American comfort food with a burst of southwestern flare. Chef Ricky Martinez dishes out menu favorites like chilaquiles, chicken & waffles, shrimp + grits, breakfast tacos, Cubano sandwiches, chicken skewers and more. Easy Rider is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner but it’s no secret – we brunch hard. Whether visiting us before or after a show at HI-FI, or stopping in for a bite to eat, folks will find it as a comfy place to gather with friends and family. Easy Rider is open Wednesday through Sunday, with family friendly seating, in the space formerly occupied by Pure Eatery. 

ABOUT CHEF RICKY MARTINEZ

Chef Ricky Martinez has a passion for food inspired by his heritage. At an early age, Ricky was drawn to the kitchen with a curiosity for his family’s Mexican recipes. As he honed his kitchen skills, various projects led him to experiment with traditional dishes and transform them into unique creations of his own. Now, with over 18 years of kitchen and restaurant experience, Chef Martinez has contributed to the opening of many renowned restaurants around Indianapolis. In addition to leading the Easy Rider Kitchen, Chef Martinez consults, curates and develops menus for clients after his creative and flavorful dishes. 

ABOUT HI-FI & HI-FI ANNEX

HI-FI and HI-FI Annex are located in the heart of Fountain Square. Both venues have received numerous accolades, including IndyStar’s “Best Music Venue in Indianapolis,” and has become a fan-favorite due to its intimate setting and incredible sound quality. HI-FI has had a long history of introducing Central Indiana music fans to the best new artists locally, nationally and regionally. With the addition of the HI-FI Annex in 2020, fans of all ages can continue to watch their favorite bands grow in Fountain Square.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Josh Baker, HI-FI & Easy Rider

jb@mokbpresents.com

Chef Rick Martinez, Easy Rider

ricky@easyriderindy.com

Andrea Hawman, @ELEVATE

andrea@elevate-supportservices.com