The Top 10 Live is a collaborative effort between Indy.com and Indianapolismusic.net

1. .38 Special, Blue Oyster Cult, Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band

Noon Sept. 1, $5 (free before 1 p.m.), Military Park, 601 W. New York St., www.ribamerica.com

Rib America Festival, the annual Labor Day weekend event that marries music and meat, dominatesthe Top 10 list this week, claiming four spots. The event closes on Monday with a pair ofHoosier-bred artists -- country music up-and-comer Casey Jamerson and roots-blues family trio Rev.Peyton's Big Damn Band -- teaming up with classic rock legends.

2. Murder By Death w/ Cabin & State

9 p.m. Aug. 28, $12, Birdy's, 2131 E. 71st St., (317) 254-8971.

Drawing influence from the dark ballads of artists like Nick Cave and Johnny Cash -- as well asthe soundtracks of classic spaghetti westerns -- Bloomington's Murder By Death has made waves onthe national scene. The group is spending the late summer playing warm-up dates for an Octobertour to promote its latest record, "Red of Tooth and Claw."

3. Ted Nugent, Jonny Lang, Blind Melon

Noon Aug. 31, $5 (free before 1 p.m.), Military Park, 601 W. New York St., www.ribamerica.com

A pair of guitar slingers cut from different cloths heads up the third night of the Rib AmericaFestival. Ted Nugent earned the nickname the "Motor City Madman" for his blazing hard rock andover-the-top stage show highlighted by archery demonstrations. Jonny Lang made his name as ayoung gun in the blues world. '90s rockers Blind Melon and local stars The Why Store and The Elmsopen.

4. Peter Frampton, Beatlemania Live!, Stereo Deluxe

5 p.m. Aug. 29, $5 (free before 5 p.m.), Military Park, 601 W. New York St., www.ribamerica.com

Just about the time downtown offices are closing for the long weekend, the music stage at the RibAmerica Festival will be firing up for a weekend of local and big name acts. Indy power popstersStereo Deluxe kicks things off at 5 p.m. before giving way to Beatles tribute act BeatlemaniaLive! Arena rock legend and guitar talk box guru Peter Frampton headlines.

5. Lupe Fiasco

8 p.m. Aug. 30, $34.50, IU Auditorium, Bloomington, www.IUAuditorium.com

Before classes start, IU students get one last chance to blow off some summer steam with thisshow. The Grammy-winning artist raps about everything from zombies to skateboarding. His latestalbum, "Lupe Fiasco's The Cool," went gold. Proceeds from this show benefit the Make-A-WishFoundation.

6. Counting Crows w/ Maroon 5 & Augustana

7 p.m. Aug. 28, $23-$193.50, Verizon Wireless Music Center, 12800 E. 146th St., Noblesville, (317) 776-8181

Rock bands that can also hit the pop charts are few and far between. Fifteen years and 10 millionrecords into their career, Counting Crows landed its 2008 record, "Saturday Nights & SundayMornings," at No. 3 on Billboard's album chart. Maroon 5's 2007 single "Makes Me Wonder" was aworldwide No. 1. Augustana made its chart debut in 2006 with its single "Boston."

7. GBH w/ Whole Wheat Bread, Krum Bums, Up! Scumbag

7 p.m. September 2, $15 advance/$20 door, The Vogue, 6259 N College Ave., (317) 259-7029

Punk rock and tattoos are inseparable. So it's no surprise that the Tattoo Artists Fall Ballfeatures an all-punk lineup. The night also includes a contest for best tattoos and a pageant toname Mr. and Miss Tattoo Indiana. Go ready to show off your ink or shop for an artist to add someart to your skin.

8. Everything Now, Gentleman Caller, The Visitations

8 p.m. Aug. 28, $3, Spin Nightclub, 6308 Guilford Ave., (317) 257-0000

Local music promotion team Indy Uprising formed to showcase Indy's top acts to local fans. Thisweek's event offers plenty of reason to start the three-day weekend a day early. Eclectic pop actEverything Now and indie rockers Gentleman Caller appear with The Visitations, an Athens,Ga.-based act with ties to the famed Elephant 6 collective.

9. Scribble Jam '08 Prelims

4:30 p.m. Aug. 30, $10, Emerson Theater, 4634 E 10th St.,(317) 357-0239

In the hip-hop world, Scribble Jam is way for MCs to establish themselves as an artistic force.The annual event, billed as "America's Largest Hip Hop Festival," awards prizes to the toprapper, DJ, breakdancer, graffiti artist, and beatboxer. Artists like Eminem and Rhymefestestablished themselves at past Jams. Local hip-hop artists Mudkids, Twilight Sentinels, ThePhilosophy, and Twin Monsters will perform along with the battles to move to the finals.

10. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Cowboy Mouth, Shooter Jennings

Noon Aug. 30, $5 (free before 1 p.m.), Military Park, 601 W. New York St., www.ribamerica.com

This is Rib America Festival's most varied day of music. Christian music fans come early for RickStump. County lovers can check out Shooter Jennings at 2:30 p.m.. The rock kicks in at 5 p.m.withCowboy Mouth. Dennis DeYoung performs his STYX hits at 7:30 PM. The night closes with the bluesof Kenny Wayne Shepherd at 10 p.m. Or, if fireworks make your favorite sound, the annual SkyConcert blasts off at 9:25 p.m.