Music’s pretty much always going on at the Minnesota State Fair. Once you pick out a pre-show meal from our live music and food pairings, get to the stage and rock out like summer’s about to end.

Visit the fair’s website for tickets, and more Grandstand and free music details. Also, it’s worth noting that The Current, Carbon Sound, and Radio Heartland are doing a ton of activity at the MPR Booth. Note: All events listed are open to all ages and require fair admission.

Thursday, August 25

Alice In Chains & Bush, Grandstand

Alice in Chains never bowed to being boxed in. Even during their come-up in Seattle as an integral part of the grunge explosion, Layne Stanley told Guitar World in 1996, “We’re a lot of different things … I don’t know quite what the mixture is.” Since the passing of Staley and bassist Mike Starr, Alice In Chains’ material still carries resonance. More-recent albums, such as The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here and Rainier Fog, show a still-vital core featuring Jerry Cantrell and William DuVall on vocals. Joining them as co-headliners will be Bush, featuring Gavin Rossdale as the only original band member after their breakup in 2003 and reformation in 2010. With Breaking Benjamin and the L.I.F.E Project. 5:30 p.m.; $36-$79

Plus: Elsewhere on the fairgrounds, singer Samantha Moon will woo audiences with hypnotic R&B at the International Bazaar stage. 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m., and 5:15 p.m.; free 

Friday, August 26

Counting Crows & the Wallflowers, Grandstand

During the ’90s heyday of alternative rock, Counting Crows and the Wallflowers were answers to a scene controlled by grunge and Britpop. After lengthy breaks in output, both recently put out new music recorded during the pandemic. The Wallflowers, a band formed by Jakob Dylan, experienced massive success with their sophomore album, Bringing Down the Horse, featuring “6th Avenue Heartache” and “One Headlight.” They released a seventh album, Exit Wounds, in 2021. Counting Crows changed alternative radio with August and Everything After and Recovering the Satellites, and reemerged with Butter Miracle, Suite One last year. 7 p.m.; $34-$51

Plus: Next door to the Grandstand at the Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, Rich Mattson & the Northstars will be dazzling audiences with roots rock. 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m.; free

Saturday, August 27

The Current’s Music on-a-Stick 2022: Portugal. The Man, Manchester Orchestra, Bad Bad Hats, Grandstand

A lot that comes out of Alaska is worthy of praise: reindeer sausage, salmon, berry cobbler, and then there’s Wasilla’s (yes, that Wasilla) own Portugal. The Man. They’ve been consistently churning out memorable projects, including 2017’s Woodstock and 2021’s live Oregon City Sessions. Boasting past collaborations with Mike D of the Beastie Boys and Danger Mouse, the band hit it big with the highly infectious “Feel It Still.” Opening for them will be Atlanta indie legends Manchester Orchestra, and local faves Bad Bad Hats. 7 p.m.; $27-$37

Plus: Over at the Leinie Lodge, Quinn Sullivan will be bringing his knowledge of blues and rock in the morning. 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m.; free

Sunday, August 28

Grupo Mio, International Bazaar Stage

The Grandstand may get all the glitz and glamor, but those who are in the know are well aware that the free stages have depth. The International Bazaar Stage has all the wares and foods that one desires, and they’re not skimping on the entertainment side, either. Grupo Mio, the Twin Cities based band, has been rocking block parties and stages alike with their immersive and festive blend of cumbia, bachata, tejano, bolero, and corridos jams keep toes tapping and dance floors packed with infectious tunes. 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m.; free

Plus: Later that evening, Cannon Falls-born country prodigy Caitlyn Smith takes the stage at the Leinie Lodge. Considering the praise she has earned from fellow peers as well as her songwriting credits, Smith is one act you do not want to miss. 8:30 p.m.; free

Monday, August 29

The Beach Boys, The Temptations, & Tower of Power, Grandstand

Sure, the Beach Boys may be sans Brian Wilson, and the Temptations have long been without foundational members like Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin, but these foundational pop songs are still in good hands. However, all the aforementioned acts are still proving to give audiences plenty to sing along to, as both the Beach Boys and the Temptations are ready to deliver all the classics. With soul/funk stalwarts Tower of Power opening, get ready to sweat it out accordingly! 7 p.m.; $37-$50 

Plus: Over at the International Bazaar Stage, make it a point earlier in the day to boost up the energy with Chico Chavez & The Kings of Cumbia playing psychedelic cumbia. 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m.; free 

Tuesday, August 30

DSL* Dire Straits Legacy, Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage

Dire Straits Legacy, formed in 2009 with its core being keyboardist Alan Clark, percussionist Danny Cummings, saxophonist Mel Collins, and guitarist Phil Palmer, have continued to operate sans main member mainstays Mark Knopfler and John Illsley. Don’t let the subtractions fool you, though. They’re still bringing the same energy, and are known for kicking out renditions of “Your Latest Trick,” “Solid Rock,” and their 1985 hit “Money For Nothing” with relative ease and excellent showmanship. 8:30 p.m.; free

Plus: Earlier on in the day, Jake La Botz gets things going with blues and Americana at the Schilling Amphitheater near the Grandstand. 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m.; free

Wednesday, August 31

Low Cut Connie, Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage

Low Cut Connie’s Adam Weiner is as energetic a frontman as you’ll find, with nods to Nate Ruess of FUN. and Brendon Urie of Panic! At the Disco in his showmanship. The music is an infectious blend of rockabilly style with straight-up piano-laden rock. Weiner’s ability to bring his songwriting and lyrics to reflect the modern person’s hustle and bustle. It’s that type of grit and detail to Low Cut Connie’s approach that has won him a huge following among The Current’s listeners. 8:30 p.m.; free

Plus: At the Leinie Lodge, check out the stylings of Becky Schlegel & the High 48s for country and Americana with a bluegrass tinge to start the morning. 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m.; free

Thursday, September 1

REO Speedwagon & Styx, Grandstand

Chicago giants REO Speedwagon and Styx came together to tour in 2009 for the Can’t Stop Rockin’ tour, and have now reconnected to play all their classics for fairgoers alike for the State Fair leg of their Live Unzoomed tour. Remember Zoom and IG Live shows at the peak of the pandemic? Expect thoughts of being your own personal karaoke machine to arise at this one when classics like “Mr. Roboto” or “Can’t Fight This Feeling” hit you. 7 p.m.; $41-$51 (reserved seating)

At the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage the Jimmys will be making everybody swoon with their take on blues and soul jams from yesteryear. 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.; free

Friday, September 2

The Family Stone, Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage

Led by long-time Sly & the Family Stone saxophonist Jerry Martini, the Family Stone remain arguably just as integral as Sly Stone. From the muted guitar work of “Family Affair” to the blaring horns and breakbeat section used by many a rap producer from “Sing a Simple Song,” all of it showcases that the Family Stone served as the backbone to turn mastermind Sly’s ideas into timeless jams. Expect boisterous songs like “Everyday People” and “I Want to Take You Higher” to have you on your feet, grooving along and testifying like there’s no tomorrow. 8:30 p.m.; free

Plus: Over at Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, night one of First Avenue Goes to the Fair kicks off with house band Al Church and the Congregation. Set to perform will be Colin Bracewell, Meghan Kreidler (of Kiss the Tiger), Ness Nite, Obi Original, and the Alarmists. 8 p.m.; free

Saturday, September 3

Diana Ross & Naturally 7, Grandstand

After an astonishing 50 years in music with more accolades than could be counted on two hands, Diana Ross deserves all the flowers reserved for legends and then some. Songs such as the anthemic “I’m Coming Out” and “Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?)” don’t even scratch the surface of her immaculate body of work. A cappella group Naturally 7 opens the evening. 7 p.m.; $34-$60 (reserved seating) 

Plus: Schilling Amphitheater hosts night two of First Avenue Goes to the Fair with Cindy Lawson, Mae Simpson, Molly Brandt, Ricki Monique, and Thomas Abban. House band Al Church and the Congregation will soundtrack the evening. 8 p.m.; free

Sunday, September 4

NUNNABOVE, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater

Combining the spacious psychedelic R&B vocals of the Fifth Dimension and the laced yet tight-knit funk of the Revolution, sibling group NUNNABOVE have been called “the next generation of the Minneapolis Sound.” Cadence, Mattie, Bennet, and Wisdom share vocal duties, and their instrumentation brings unmistakable groove and energy to the forefront in tunes like “Connection,” “Appreciate Me,” and “Don’t Judge Me.” 8 p.m.; free

Plus: During the day, stop by the International Bazaar Stage to check out the internationally recognized Native Pride Dancers. 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m.; free

Monday, September 5

The Jayhawks, Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage

No one captures end-of-summer melancholy better than the Jayhawks. Hit albums Smile, Rainy Day Music, and Backroads and Abandoned Hotels were produced by dearly departed Ed Ackerson. Their latest album, XOXO, pays tribute to him. 7:30 p.m.; free

Plus: In the afternoon, catch B2WINS’ forward-thinking Brazilian samba at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage. 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m.; free

This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days of Summer series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.