From the Black Keys to Brandi Carlile, Kiss the Tiger to Blu Bone, here’s a look at some of the top live music for each day of the 2023 Minnesota State Fair.

All events listed are open to all ages and require fair admission, with the exception of shows at the Grandstand.

Thursday, Aug. 24

The Black Keys & The Velveteers - Grandstand

Akron, Ohio, is the birthplace and hometown of many luminaries. From movie director Jim Jarmusch to NBA champions LeBron James and Steph Curry, it’s no secret that the spectrum of notables is vast. Add Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach, known as the Black Keys to many a music aficionado, who have steadfastly chugged along with a hybridization of blues, rock, and punk. They captured the attention of many when they paired up with producer extraordinaire Danger Mouse for memorable run of projects with Attack & Release, Brothers, El Camino, and Turn Blue. Currently, the Black Keys are touring in support of their 11th album, 2022’s Dropout Boogie, and bringing along Denver’s own Velveteers for the ride. The Velveteers’ most recent release, Nightmare Daydream, was recorded at Auerbach’s studio in Nashville. $69-$159; 7 p.m.

Over at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage, let C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band move the crowd with some New Orleans vibes. Free; 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 25

The Chicks & Wild Rivers - Grandstand 

When Dubya decided to invade Iraq in 2003, Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer, and Martie Maguire added their voice to a chorus of disdain for an unjust war. Now known as just the Chicks, the band fell out of favor with hawkish segments of their fanbase. Despite a “cancellation” of sorts from Nashville, with critically and commercially successful albums – such as Wide Open Spaces and Fly – they trudged on. They continue to speak loudly and release game-changing country music, especially with their most recent project Gaslighter. Canadian folk act Wild Rivers will be opening. $77-$197; 7 p.m. 

Elsewhere, Lady Midnight provides a not-to-be-missed set filled with transcendental R&B vibes at the MPR State Fair Booth. Free; 5 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 26

Carbon Sound and Pure Water Radio Present: State Fair Producer Showdown - MPR Booth

Carbon Sound and Pure Water Radio host a soundclash for the ages at the MPR booth featuring the beatmakers and producers spread across all genres of music in the Twin Cities music scene. Eight different competitors selected by a small panel of judges from Carbon Sound and Pure Water Radio (once all submissions are collected by Aug. 11 at 11:59 p.m.) will showcase their wares to all the fairgoers that stop by the MPR booth near the intersection of Judson Avenue and Nelson Street. Make sure to bring all the water you got, because this is going to be a scorcher of a soundclash! Free; 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

Later on in the evening, Kiss The Tiger will wow audiences with their tour de force of rock at the Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater. Free; 8 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 27

Boyz II Men & Chaka Khan - Grandstand

MOTOWNPHILLY BACK AGAIN, DOING A LITTLE EAST COAST SWING for the Minnesota State Fair-goers. With an insurmountable catalog of No. 1 albums and songs – buoyed by hits such as “End of the Road,” “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye (To Yesterday),” and countless more – the trio made up of Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Nathan Morris are among the biggest groups in R&B. Beyond that, they’re one of the most successful boy band groups, with the most cumulative weeks atop Billboard’s charts. They’ll be sharing the stage with another icon, Chaka Khan, who holds 10 Grammy awards and has been nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame seven times, for both her solo work, and group work with Rufus. With hits such as “Sweet Thing,” “I Feel For You,” and “Ain’t Nobody,” she has a catalog that stands the test of time. $34-$51; 7 p.m. 

Meanwhile, at the International Bazaar Stage, vocalist Genet Abate takes listeners on a journey with her through a celebration of traditional Ethiopian music. Free; 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:45 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 28

Native Pride Dancers - International Bazaar Stage

Internationally recognized for mixing traditional and contemporary Native American dance styles, this troupe of dancers based in Jacksonville, Florida, are no strangers to the International Bazaar Stage. However, those dances continue to raise awareness consistently of the cultural history and significance of the traditions, ways, beliefs, and spiritual importance of Indigenous People. The Native Pride Dancers troupe stays true to highlighting and showcasing these practices through dance. Free; 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m. & 5:45 p.m.

Additionally worth checking out is the folk stylings of Faith Boblett as she gives a performance at the MPR Booth over at Judson Avenue and Nelson Street. Free; 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 29

Brandi Carlile & Wynona Judd - Grandstand

Between the Chicks and Wynonna Judd, the great Minnesota get-together booked some of the most iconic women in country music history. As half of the Judds, with her mother Naomi, Wynonna is seen by many as one of the genre’s trailblazers, earning induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame for her solo work and work with the Judds. Touring alongside Wynonna is singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile, a mainstay favorite whenever she rolls through town with an incredibly rich discography, electrifying stage presence, and carries a kindred spirit with Wynonna in blazing her own trail in music history. There’s a strong likelihood that Brandi and Wynonna could have a similar moment as Brandi did with Joni Mitchell recently at the Newport Folk Festival. $79-$199; 7 p.m. 

At the MPR Booth, check out Pit Stop’s brand of Americana, blues, folk, and country for a special performance. Free; 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 30

Nikki Lane - Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage

Nikki Lane’s infusion of indie rock with elements of country, pop, and Americana has garnered her some sweet accolades, such as winning best outlaw country at the Ameripolitan awards in 2017.On Lane’s fourth album, Denim & Diamonds, she continues to wear that honor proudly, while providing a welcome and refreshing hybrid of styles on songs like “Black Widow,” which is a nod to other outlaws of country. Lane is a musical chameleon able to take nearly any style and give it a flair and electric performance all its own. Free; 8 p.m.

For another dose of fun, check out Gully Boys as they rock the Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater. Free; 8 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 31

Duran Duran, Bastille & Nile Rodgers with CHIC - Grandstand

A rare night in which one would get to see not one, but two Rock & Roll Hall of Famers headline the Grandstand? Moments like this rarely happen. After liking what Nile Rodgers did with the remix of INXS “Original Sin,” Duran Duran approached Rodgers to provide a remix of their lead-off single “The Reflex” off Seven and the Ragged Tiger. That remix not only shot up to the top of the charts, but it also allowed Nile Rodgers to produce Duran Duran’s fourth album, Notorious. Aside from work with Duran Duran, Rodgers is one of the most influential songwriters in music, and while his resume is stacked with a who’s who of talent, one needn't look any further than the impact his songwriting had off the sheer strength of CHIC’s “Good Times,” one of the most widely sampled songs in history. 7 p.m., $77-$197

At the MPR Booth over on Judson and Nelson, The Current presents singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist LAAMAR doing a live set. Free; 5 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 1

Carbon Sound presents BLU BONE - MPR Booth

BLU BONE’s debut EP Hi Cotton may have been the product of five years of figuring out the project’s soundscape, culture, and heritage, but with good reason. BONE’s artistry and knack for the artists that they cite as influences from visually dazzling artist masterminds like Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes, blended with BONE’s own artistic vision, help to make sense of the deep rooted history and lineage that BONE comes from. Hi Cotton may be an EP in practice, but the expansive sound palate and boundless experimentation make songs like “Wicked Womb” so encapsulating and addictive to watch and listen to. Free; 4 p.m.

Additionally, catch night one of First Avenue Goes to the Fair with house band Al Church and the Congregation. Becky Kapell, Juice Lord, Laamar, Tommy Stinson, and XINA will also take the stage over at Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater. Free; 8 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 2

The Current’s Music-On-A-Stick featuring The Hold Steady with the Bob Mould Band and Dillinger Four - Grandstand

The days of the Triple Rock Social Club may seem like a distant memory to many. However, the lineup for The Current’s Music-On-A-Stick night at the Grandstand revisits the days of hopping over to the bar side to grab eats and libations, then heading back to a killer show. The Triple Rock hosted Craig Finn as part of a reunited Lifter Puller in 2003 when the concert venue side first opened, former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman Bob Mould got loud as a solo act in 2013, and Dillinger Four have performed at the historic venue numerous times. Dillinger Four’s own members Erik Funk ran the joint with wife Gretchen. Yeah, the memorable jukebox that had a smattering of genres that normally didn’t come as part of your mom and dad’s jukebox won’t be present, but the memories stay fresh. $27-$37; 7 p.m. 

Elsewhere, night two of First Avenue Goes to the Fair continues with house band Al Church and the Congregation. Barlow, Jaedyn James, SYM1, Monique Smaz, and Run Westy Run will also be performing over at Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater. Free; 8 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 3

Malamanya - International Bazaar Stage 

The rich tapestry of the Minnesota State Fair includes a breadth of the musical acts delighting the foot traffic wandering past outdoor stages. Malamanya is a prime example of that. A celebration of Latin American and Caribbean music, their stage show gets audiences jamming with infectious grooves and rhythms that you can’t help but dance to, even if you might be holding some food on a stick while doing so. Free; 8 p.m.

At the MPR Booth off Judson Avenue and Nelson Street, catch Davina and the Vagabonds giving two performances to fairgoers. Free; 3 p.m. & 5 p.m..

Monday, Sept. 4

Soul Asylum - Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage

2023 has been an awesome year to be a Soul Asylum fan. In December, Dave Pirner and company reissued a 30th anniversary edition of Grave Dancers Union via Vinyl Me Please. This past April, the group rang in Record Store Day in a very celebratory fashion by not only releasing their 1993 MTV Unplugged performance for the first time on vinyl, but had a one-night only performance at the State Theater to rousing fanfare. Presuming you were one of about 3,000 lucky patrons to get your hands on either of these precious albums, Soul Asylum closing out the last day of the great Minnesota get-together is a performance one should not miss. Free; 7:30 p.m.

Trying to camp out for a good seat before Soul Asylum? Don't forget to catch St. Paul and the Minneapolis Funk All-Stars, which include members such as the legendary Dr. Fink and Jellybean Johnson for all the Minneapolis sound vibes at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage. Free; 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m.

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