Yesterday we told you what was new at the fair. Today, let’s talk music. Whatever your musical tastes, you are bound to find something entertaining at the State Fair! This year is an exceptional year for both big name concerts and smaller shows. We can’t list everything here, but have picked a few to highlight by genre. And be sure to check out our companion blog, 365 Family Things to Do in the Twin Cities, for all the great kid-friendly music at the fair!

COUNTRY/BLUEGRASS

Morgan Frazier – 8/24 (10:30 & 11:45) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
The Harris Brothers – 8/24 (2:00, 3:00, 4:00) at Heritage Square.
JT Hodges – 8/24 (3:30 & 4:45) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
The Cactus Blossoms – 8/25 & 8/26 (10:30, 11:30, 12:30) at Heritage Square.
Elizabeth Cook  – 8/25 & 8/26 (1:00 & 2:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Alan Jackson – 8/24 (7:30) at the Grandstand. Tickets $40.
Blake Shelton – 8/25 (7:30) at the Grandstand. Tickets $31, $41
Mandy Barnett – 8/29 & 8/30 (3:30 & 4:45) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Monroe Crossing – 8/29 & 8/30 (6:30 & 7:45) at Heritage Square.
The Mavericks – 8/29 & 8/30 (8:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Rascal Flatts –  8/30 (7:00) at the Grandstand. Tickets $43, $53, $63
The Cleverlys – 9/2 & 9/3 (1:00 & 2:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.

ECLECTIC

Todd Menton – 8/24 (10:45, 12:00, 1:15) at the International Bazaar Stage.
The Sweet Colleens – 8/24 (6:30 & 7:45) at Heritage Square.
The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra – 8/24 (3:15, 4:30, 5:45) at the International Bazaar Stage.
Dominic Gaudious – 8/25 & 8/26 (10:45, 12:00, 1:15) at the International Bazaar Stage.
The Johnny Hiland Band – 8/27 & 8/28 (3:30 & 4:45) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
New Odyssey – 8/29 & 8/30 (1:00 & 2:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Café Accordion Orchestra – 8/31 & 9/1 (3:15, 4:45, 5:15) at the International Bazaar Stage.
Mockingbird Sun – 9/2 & 9/3 (10:30 & 11:45) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Six Mile Grove – 9/2 & 9/3 (2:00, 3:00, 4:00) at Heritage Square.

JAZZ/DIXIELAND

Patty and the Buttons – 8/25 (3:15, 4:30, 5:45) & 8/26 (10:30, 11:45, 1:00) at the Ramberg Senior Center.
Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys – 8/25 & 8/26 (3:30 & 4:45) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Dirty Shorts Brass Band – 8/27 & 8/28 (10:45, 12:00, 1:15) at the International Bazaar Stage.
Davina & The Vagabonds – 8/27 & 8/28 (7:30 & 9:00) at the International Bazaar Stage.
The Jim Shannon Trio – 8/29 (3:15, 4:30, 5:45) & 8/30 (10:30, 11:45, 1:00) at the Ramberg Senior Center.
The Mouldy Figs – 8/31 & 9/1 (10:30, 11:30, 12:30) at Heritage Square.
The New Standards – 8/31 & 9/1 (6:30 & 7:45) at Heritage Square.
Big Sam’s Funky Nation – 9/2 & 9/3 (3:30 & 4:45) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Bettye LaVette – 9/2 & 9/3 (8:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.

LATIN/CARIBBEAN

The International Reggae All Stars – 8/25 & 8/26 (7:30 & 9:00) at the International Bazaar Stage.
Malamanya – 8/29 & 8/30 (10:45, 12:00, 1:15) at the International Bazaar Stage.
K-Libre 24 – 8/29 & 8/30 (7:30 & 9:00) at the International Bazaar Stage.
Tropical Zone Orchestra – 9/2 & 9/3 (7:30 & 9:00) at the International Bazaar Stage.

OLDIES

Bobby Vee and His Rock ‘n’ Roll Caravan – 8/25 & 8/26 (10:30 & 11:45) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
LeRoy’s River Minstrels – 8/7 & 8/28 (10:30, 11:30, 12:30) at Heritage Square.
Happy Together Tour featuring performers from The Monkees, The Grass Roots, The Turtles, and Gary Puckett and Union Gap – 8/27 (8:00) at the Grandstand. Tickets $18
Wanda Jackson – 8/31 & 9/1 (1:00 & 2:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Rod Cerar Orchestra – 9/2 (3:15, 4:30, 5:45) & 9/3 (10:30, 11:45, 1:00) at the Ramberg Senior Center.

PATRIOTIC

Betty Rydell & Randi Rae – 8/24 (10:30, 11:45, 1:00) at the Ramberg Senior Center.
34th Infantry Division “Red Bull” Band – 8/27 & 8/28 (10:30 & 11:45) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.

POLKA

Squeezebox – 8/27 & 8/28 (1:00 & 2:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Hank Thunander – 8/27 (3:15, 4:30, 5:45) & 8/28 (10:30, 11:45, 1:00) at the Ramberg Senior Center.
Craig Ebel and DyVersaCo – 8/29 & 8/30 (10:30, 11:30, 12:30) at Heritage Square.
The Dale Pexa Band – 9/2 & 9/3 (10:30, 11:30, 12:30) at Heritage Square.
Malek’s Fishermen Band – 9/2 & 9/3 (4:30 & 5:45) at the International Bazaar Stage.

ROCK/POP

Dawes – 8/24 (8:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds – 8/25 & 8/26 (8:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Hairball – 8/27 & 8/28 (8:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Demi Lovato & Hot Chelle Rae – 8/28 (7:30) at the Grandstand. Tickets $35
KISS and Mötley Crüe – 8/29 (7:00) at the Grandstand. Tickets $51, $71, $81
Wilson Phillips – 8/30 & 9/1 (8:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Will Hoge – 8/31 & 9/1 (3:30 & 4:45) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
MN Music on a Stick with Semisonic, The Jayhawks, Dessa – 8/31 (5:00) at the Grandstand. Tickets $38
Journey & Pat Benatar  – 9/1 (7:00) at the Grandstand. Tickets $38, $48, $58
Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller – 9/3 (6:30) at the Grandstand. Tickets $29, $39

SOUL/R&B

Soul Tight Committee – 8/24 (7:30 & 9:00) at the International Bazaar Stage.
Anita Baker – 8/26 (8:00) at the Grandstand. Tickets $38
The Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir – 8/29 (10:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Hookers & Blow – 8/31 & 9/1 (7:30 & 9:00) at the International Bazaar Stage.

VOCAL

The Mellow Fellows – 8/24 (10:30, 11:45, 1:00) at the Ramberg Senior Center.
Tonic Sol-fa – 8/24 (1:00 & 2:30) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Caroline Smith & The Good Night Sleeps – 8/25 & 8/26 (6:30 & 7:45 at Heritage Square).
Home Free – 8/31 & 9/1 (10:30 & 11:45) at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Molly Maher & Erik Koskinen – 9/2 & 9/3 (6:30, 7:45) at Heritage Square.

WORLDBEAT

Yawo – 8/25 & 8/26 (3:15, 4:30, 5:45) at the International Bazaar Stage.
The Gallivanters – 8/27 (10:30, 11:45, 1:00) at the Ramberg Senior Center.
CAAM Chinese Dance Theater – 8/31 & 9/1 (10:45, 12:00, 1:15) at the International Bazaar Stage.

And catch hours of more free music from Afro to Karaoke, Celtic, Jazz, Dance, Bluegrass, Worldbeat, Rockabilly, Reggae, Latin, A Capella, Caribbean, and Gospel at venues like Café Caribe, Coasters, the DNR Outdoor Stage, Dino’s Gyros, Famous Dave’s, the Festival of Nations Demo Stage, French Creperie, The Garden, Giggles’ Campfire Grille, Minnesota Wine Country, and O’Gara’s. And don’t forget the marching band competition at the State Fair Mall Parade every day at 2:00.

For more information on these and many more musical acts, including pictures and links to their websites, visit mnstatefair.org. We’ll be back tomorrow with another giveaway and everything you need to see and do on Day 3!