Every week, the minds at IndianapolisMusic.net — made up of fans, critics and musicians across the city — bring Metromix readers the Top 10 live shows of the week. So, then, it didn’t take them long to re-create the Top 10 local concert highlights of 2009, even if they did admit, “Hindsight is so much easier than foresight.”

THE MONEY MAKERS
Which national touring acts raked in the most cash through concert ticket sales last year? In order:

1. U2; $123 million.
2. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band; $94.5.
3. Elton John/Billy Joel; $88.
4. Britney Spears; $82.5.
5. AC/DC; $77.9.
6. Kenny Chesney; $71.1.
7. Jonas Brothers; $69.8.
8. Dave Matthews Band; $56.9.
9. Fleetwood Mac; $54.5.
10. Metallica; $53.4.
11. Nickelback; $47.4.
12. “Walking With Dinosaurs”; $46.2.
13. Miley Cyrus; $45.
14. Trans-Siberian Orchestra; $43.7.
15. Eagles; $42.8.
16. Keith Urban; $42.7.
17. Celine Dion; $42.6.
18. Rascal Flatts; $42.2.
19. Coldplay; $40.8
20. Paul McCartney; $40.7.
— The Associated Press

1. Broad Ripple Music Festival Kickoff Party
Oct. 16, the Vogue
The Vogue turned back the clock to start the 2009 BRMF. Party ska band Johnny Socko reunited in its original lineup, for the first time in more than a decade, and delivered a fun set reminiscent of its heyday. MabLab rebooted its cool-, jazz- and hip-hop-influenced sound with a promise of more to come.

2. Tonic Ball VIII
Nov. 20, Radio Radio and Fountain Square Theatre
As has become the tradition, lines formed early outside of Radio Radio for Tonic Ball, where the wall-to-wall crowd saw local acts take on the music of Led Zeppelin. ESW may have very well taken “Best of Show” prize with its spot-on versions of “Moby Dick” and ”Bonzo’s Montreaux.”

3. Nine Inch Nails and Jane’s Addiction
May 30, Verizon Wireless Music Center
Nine Inch Nails delivered a show filled with a sensory overload of lights and industrial rock before heading into a hiatus from touring. Jane’s Addiction featured its original lineup and touched on music from throughout the band’s history.

4. Kings of Leon
Jan. 21, Murat Theatre
It was a big year for Kings of Leon, as the quartet scored its first top 10 album and top 10 single on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The band returned in the summer for a big show at Verizon, but fans at the early 2009 show got to see them in a more intimate venue.

5. New York Fresh Fest featuring Rakim, Kool Moe Dee, Kurtis Blow, Dana Dane
Nov. 28, Indiana Convention Center
The elders of hip-hop brought a show that reminded fans why they’re still influential.

6. Otis Gibbs Record Release Show
Jan. 17, the Vogue
Otis Gibbs might pick up his mail in Nashville, Tenn., and play to theaters filled with fans in the UK, but he’ll always be a Hoosier. He came home last January to celebrate the release of his latest record, “Grandpa Walked A Picket Line,” and transformed the boisterous Vogue into a seated listening room where he could better share his stories and songs.

7. Judas Priest
June 29, Murat Theatre
The heavy-metal stars spent most of 2009 on tour, celebrating the 30th anniversary of legendary 8album “British Steel.” The group warmed up in Indianapolis, practicing for days at the Murat, then delivering a dress rehearsal for appreciative head bangers.

8. Phish
June 19, Verizon Wireless Music Center
Phish, arguably the defining jam band of the post-Jerry Garcia world, broke a five-year hiatus by hitting the road for an 11-city tour. Tickets sold out quickly as “Phisheads” from around the nation made the trek to Indy.

9. Willie Nelson
May 18, the Vogue
It’s hard to predict where Willie Nelson might perform when he’s out on tour. One week he might play a huge festival, the next a casino showroom, and the next a minor league baseball park. Last year saw the 76-year-old legendary singer return to the Vogue for a rare — yet packed — nightclub show.

10. The Avett Brothers with Those Darlins
April 16, the Vogue
Rock For Riley has established a reputation for bringing in music’s biggest buzz acts for concerts supporting the local children’s hospital. Last year, they caught The Avett Brothers a couple months before the band released 2009 album, “I and Love and You,” and won widespread attention.