Looking back on Tonic Ball’s triumphant in-person return
After going virtual for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tonic Ball returned to Indy’s Fountain Square neighborhood in grand fashion on Friday, Nov. 18, with 55 bands performing across four stages.
Keeping with tradition, the event featured local artists honoring beloved music heroes with their own unique renditions of songs. At Tonic Ball 2022, the artists being covered were Aretha Franklin at the White Rabbit Cabaret, Jimi Hendrix at Radio Radio, OutKast at Square Cat Vinyl, and Taylor Swift at Hi-Fi.
Despite rather frigid conditions, music lovers migrated between the four venues, keeping each one packed throughout the night. While Tonic Ball veterans like the Last IV, Mina Keohane, Mr. Kinetik, and more gave fans all they wanted and more, the event also provided some noteworthy new faces with their time to shine, including the Brothers Footman, Jennasen, and Public Universal Friend.
Although Tonic Ball organizers certainly did a great job of making the Second Helpings fundraiser virtual in 2020 and 2021, there’s no denying the event lost a bit of its magic when it wasn’t in person. In a year where several marquee music events surfaced in Indy, such as the All IN Music & Arts Festival and WonderRoad music festival, it was equally great to have one of the city’s most cherished music traditions back in Fountain Square with Tonic Ball.
Now it’s your turn to return in 2023, Chreece.
Beatty & the Bayonets honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Beatty & the Bayonets honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Beatty & the Bayonets honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Beatty & the Bayonets honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Beatty & the Bayonets honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Brother O' Brother honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Brother O' Brother honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Brother O' Brother honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Brother O' Brother honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Caleb McCoach honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Caleb McCoach honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Clint Breeze and the Groove honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Clint Breeze and the Groove honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Clint Breeze and the Groove honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Clint Breeze and the Groove honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Emma Peridot honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Jennasen honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Jennasen honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Jennasen honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Kit and the Arsonists honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Kit and the Arsonists honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Kit and the Arsonists honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Kit and the Arsonists honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Kristen Bales honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Kristen Bales honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Kristen Bales honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Maciann honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Maciann honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Maciann honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Maciann honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Maciann honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Maciann honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Maciann honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Maciann honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mina & the Wondrous Flying Machine honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mina & the Wondrous Flying Machine honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mina & the Wondrous Flying Machine honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Mr. Kinetik and the Movement honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Public Universal Friend honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Public Universal Friend honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Public Universal Friend honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Public Universal Friend honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Brothers Footman honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Brothers Footman honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Brothers Footman honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Brothers Footman honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Brothers Footman honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Brothers Footman honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Brothers Footman honoring OutKast on the Square Cat Vinyl stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Common honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Common honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Common honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Common honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Common honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Common honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Common honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Common honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Common honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Long Arm honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Long Arm honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Long Arm honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
The Long Arm honoring Taylor Swift on the Hi-Fi stage at Tonic Ball 2022.
Seth Johnson
Writer - Music, Comedy & Sports
An Indianapolis native, I love all things music, especially of the local variety. My other passions also include comedy, social justice, and the Indiana Pacers.
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