
Fever Fest looks to the future of Indy festivals
Why it matters: The people throwing the party tell Axios it wasn't just a one-time thing. It was the first edition of the Circle City's next big festival franchise.
Driving the news: Despite a midday downpour and the looming threat of show-canceling conditions, fans stormed White River State Park for the event produced by Kevin Hart's Hartbeat Media Group in collaboration with Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
Stand-up headliners like Cedric The Entertainer and Leslie Jones handled the funny — with some help from the Fever's Sydney Colson — while hip-hop hitmakers BIA and G-Eazy took care of the tunes.
What they're saying:"I consider Indianapolis to be the best major event host city in the country, and I think this event is going to only continue to elevate that," said Joey Graziano, PS&E's EVP of strategy and new business ventures. "With our partnership with Hartbeat as the official culture curators of the Pacers and the Fever, we created something new. Probably earlier than we would have otherwise. But we wanted to make sure that this event had a signature inaugural moment."
"For the rest of Fever Fest's existence — and we believe it's got a long, long runway ahead — people are always going to say the first one was at WNBA All-Star."
Between the lines: The partnership between PS&E and Hartbeat was announced earlier this year with the promise of festivals, halftime performances, scripted content and bespoke merchandise collaborations.
Hartbeat EVP and head of marketing Janina Lundy told Axios the aim is to make Fever Fest and everything else born from the multi-year partnership feel distinctly Indianapolis.
She added that the "inaugural" prefix the event carried in its branding was intentional, so expect the name to stick around even as the time, venue and list of performers change.
"The idea isn't that we're just coming into the market when this big event is happening. We're really a partner … and we're just kind of trying to enhance what already exists," she said. "Fever Fest itself will continue to grow both with local entertainment and entertainers coming from around the world."
For Graziano, the ultimate goal is one day turning Fever Fest into a citywide takeover.
"We know we've got to start small. We've got to earn credibility and trust in each step. But we are looking at and saying that our city lines up so well with what we believe is the future of music and comedy festivals," he said.
Zoom out: Fever Fest's future is being considered as Indy-area concertgoers enjoy a growing selection of new or expanding single and multi-day festivals of all sizes.
After making its debut in May 2024, GANGGANG's I Made Rock 'N' Roll Festival will return in May 2026.
Thursday marks the start of Post. Festival 2025, a three-day showcase of global post-genre bands hitting HI-FI and HI-FI Annex.
The Chreece hip-hop festival returns on Aug. 23, packing performances from more than 50 acts across seven stages into a single day.
Indy Jazz Fest runs from Sept. 9-20 with a loaded lineup for local and international talent.
The 10th anniversary of the traveling Outlaw Music Festival Tour comes to Ruoff on Sept. 18 with legends like Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Sheryl Crow.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Axios
42 minutes ago
- Axios
Rachel Dratch shares her Massachusetts go-tos
Comedian, "SNL" veteran and proud Lexingtonian Rachel Dratch is coming home to New England this weekend for a show with comedy group Bluebird Improv. Axios caught up with Dratch about her favorite haunts around her hometown and how she celebrated Lexington's big 250th Patriots' Day. Dratch admits she doesn't get to Boston proper often enough to be an expert, but she's visited some local spots with famous friends like Tina Fey. "Last time I was in Boston — should I name-drop here? — it was to do the Tina and Amy show and we ate at Buttermilk & Bourbon for Tina's birthday brunch," Dratch said. When she's back home, she always tries to get to China Sky in Winchester. For dessert: Dratch insisted on mentioning her favorite ice cream spot in Massachusetts: the Ice Cream Smuggler in Dennis. "Nowhere else takes it as seriously!" she said of the Bay State's commitment to ice cream. She hit the Battle of Lexington 250th anniversary hard, waking up at 4:30am to go to the big reenactment. "It's actually surprisingly moving when you see the ragtag group of Minutemen standing on the Green and you hear the drums approaching with this big army of redcoats," Dratch said. She was in the parade this year with her mom and two friends from childhood she bumped into.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
WNBA Player Embarrassingly Denied Entry At Club After All-Star Game
WNBA Player Embarrassingly Denied Entry At Club After All-Star Game originally appeared on The Spun. A WNBA All-Star had an embarrassing time trying to get into a club while in Indianapolis for the All-Star Weekend. While streaming on Twitch, Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams tried to get into a nightclub, but the bouncer wouldn't let her cut the line. Williams appeared almost outraged that the security personnel wouldn't give her any VIP treatment. "Bruh, we in the 'W' and (expletive) and we just got done at the All-Star Game," Williams said. "So, I'm sorry, I'm not even trying to be funny but we should not be waiting in no line." Things got a little more awkward later that night when Williams apparently went to Sports Illustrated party featuring world-renown DJ Diplo. Williams apparently demanded at one point that Diplo stop playing EDM music and change the music playlist to some hip-hop. While some fans took issue with Williams acting entitled, Diplo took it in stride: "I loved this party and I love a challenge as a dj. I was booked with the amazing @carlypearce . we had a country vibe going - if all the studs and WNBA All Stars want to turn up I'm goin to run it .. its not hard for me to go from country/ house / hip hop and take everyone on a journey and be as inclusive as possible . If Courtney comes with this energy I'm gonna match it - check my setlist from Saturday night in Indiana.. its a party for everyone where else but mid west America can we do this?" he wrote on X. For most of the rest of the world, Williams has now become a pretty polarizing player. She has no shortage of fans and is currently enjoying one of the best seasons of her career. But many new WNBA fans have quickly found that they're just not her target audience (to put it very mildly). All it all, it was a pretty good weekend for Williams on the court. Off the court, maybe not as Player Embarrassingly Denied Entry At Club After All-Star Game first appeared on The Spun on Jul 22, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.


NBC Sports
12 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Q&A: Sabrina Ionescu is 'all for' a permanent 4-point shot in the WNBA
After an eventful All-Star Weekend, Sabrina Ionescu will be back in action on Tuesday at the Barclays Center as the New York Liberty take on the Indiana Fever. It was a big weekend for Ionescu, who reclaimed her crown as the WNBA's 2025 Starry 3-Point Contest champion. A CHAMP ONCE AGAIN 🏆 Sabrina Ionescu takes home the 2nd @starrylemonlime 3-Point Contest title of her career! #WNBAAllStar2025 Like many All-Stars, Ionescu made the rounds during All-Star Weekend, which included an appearance at 'AT&T All-Star Access' at WNBA Live on Saturday where she did interview(s) and met with fans. July 19 - Sabrina Ionescu is interviewed at WNBA Live's 'AT&T All-Star Access' during the 2025 All-Star Weekend. Courtesy of: AT&T Sabrina Ionescu's interview with NBC Sports was lightly edited for length and clarity. Sabrina Ionescu Q&A at WNBA Live's 'AT&T All-Star Access' You're here with AT&T. What are you doing today? Sabrina Ionescu: Just connecting with fans. Really excited to be here with AT&T for All-Star Weekend and just being able to be here around the fans in this amazing space and kind of be able to be a role model, sign autographs, take pictures. So, I'm just really excited to be here. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 19: Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty takes picture with a fan at at 'AT&T's All-Star Access' at WNBA Live. (Photo courtesy of: AT&T) Courtesy of AT&T AT&T is also the sponsor of the 4-pointer [for the 2025 All-Star Game]. Very cool that money will be donated to charities of players' choices for each 4-pointer made [in the game]. Thoughts on that? AT&T 4-Point Shot: • Four circles – two at each end of the court – will be placed above the current three-point line at a distance of 28 feet from the rim. • Each circle shall be designated as the AT&T 4-PT Shot area. Courtesy of: A&T Sabrina Ionescu: Yeah. I'm super excited, obviously. Hopefully, can make a few and be able to donate to my [SI20] Foundation that's just able to continue to give back to communities that mean a lot to me and impact children. So, I'm really excited for that opportunity as well. July 19 - Sabrina Ionescu attends 'AT&T All-Star Access' at WNBA Live during the 2025 All-Star Weekend. Do you think the WNBA should implement a permanent 4-point line? Sabrina Ionescu: I'm always all for it. I've said that from the beginning if that was to be a rule change, I would love for that to happen. I just think everyone's shooting so well from the three-point line, and I feel like we could continue to add different elements that would change the game of basketball. So, I mean, personally, I would love it, but I'm fine with where it's at right now as well. INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 19: Sabrina Ionescu #20 of Team Clark smiles during the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game 2025 on July 19, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images) A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images If you were [going to] play a game of HORSE, tell me three tricks in your bag that you would put in a game that you think would guarantee you the win. Sabrina Ionescu: I always go lefty. Like, that's kind of my trick HORSE shot. I don't have great trick shots because I don't really try and practice them too much, but going lefty always usually guarantees me wins. Like, whether it's free throw shot lefty, a three-pointer, then obviously sometimes to finish...a half court shot righty, but a lefty always will sneak me in a few letters to win. The Sabrina 3, you announced that it was being released. So, you have the All-Star version that came out and then, you also have the 'Blueprint' that's coming out [July 24]. How involved are you still, considering that it's the third iteration, in the design process? Sabrina Ionescu: Just as involved as I was in the first one from when we started. Just being able the story that I want to tell from my shoe, see it evolve, understand what consumers need. Obviously, not really settling. Just strive to try and come out with the best performance shoe. And now we're on the third one, and I'm really excited for the world to be able to see it. What are your three favorite colorways? Any iteration and why? Sabrina Ionescu: I would say the Sabrina 2 'Lily' because I won a championship in those. Game 5. They're [named] after my mom. My mom's name is Lily, and they have flowers on them. So, that would have to be one. Probably launch colorway of the Sabrina 1 just because that was like the first time. And then, launch colorway of the 3, I would have to say. The 'Blueprint colorway'. The blueprint of being an athlete. Had the opportunity to chat w/ Sabrina Ionescu during All-Star Weekend at AT&T's All-Star Access at WNBA Live! Among other things, we talked the Sabrina 3 Blueprint & where it ranks for her as a colorway. More on that later! But a reminder, they drop July 24! (via @sabrina_i/IG) I know you're a big tennis fan. With the US Open, coming next month, who are you looking forward to seeing? Sabrina Ionescu: Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz. I'm super excited to be able to go. Hopefully, our schedule permits and I'm able to watch a few matches. If you didn't play basketball, is tennis a sport you would've played? Sabrina Ionescu: Absolutely. If I could. If I was good enough [laughter]. I think you're probably being hard on yourself. Sabrina Ionescu: Maybe. If you had the chance to partner with a pro tennis player in a game doubles, who would you want to partner with? Sabrina Ionescu: Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu. Why? Sabrina Ionescu: Well one, I'm a huge Carlos fan, so that would have to be it. And then, Emma is actually part Romanian and so, I think that's pretty cool. I mean, obviously, my parents are both Romanian as well. So, I think it just makes her a great story.