Grandstand picks for each day of the Minnesota State Fair

Here are concert picks for each of the 12 days of the State Fair. Entry to grandstand performances requires separate fair admission (etix.com or 800-514-3849).

For the last seven years, this Virginia-rooted group has been named Country Music Association’s vocal group of the year. For good reasons — those harmonies and, let’s be honest, the field doesn’t have many contenders. That’s not to take away from Old D, which has sparkled on “One Man Band” and six other No. 1 Nashville hits. Lead singer Matthew Ramsey and company will be dropping their sixth studio album, “Barbara,” the day after their fair appearance. Opening is the reputable local rock group Yam Haus. (7 p.m. Aug. 21, grandstand, $67-$149, etix.com)

JON BREAM

With all the competition from casinos, festivals and promoters like Live Nation, the State Fair had a major challenge landing a hot pop star. So they turned to Meghan Trainor, who last fall undertook her first tour in seven years. Trainor makes for a good concert outing for mothers and daughters as they can sing along to empowering and self-love songs like “Me Too” and “I Wanna Thank Me,” from Trainer’s sixth studio full-length album, 2024’s “Timeless.” But the biggest singalong, of course, will be to her 2014 smash hit “All About That Bass,” which led to Trainor receiving the Grammy for best new artist. Opening is Ellis, best known as a producer/remixer for Lady Gaga, Zedd, Katy Perry, James Blunt and Trainor. (7 p.m. Aug. 22, grandstand, $56-$125, etix.com)

JON BREAM

A homegrown artist that was popular enough to play the grandstand 25 years ago — but didn’t because of its annual Soundset festival — Minneapolis’ pioneering indie hip-hop duo is finally making it there to celebrate its 30th anniversary and the release of a new album, “Jestures.” And what cool “friends” they’ll have with them on what amounts to a mini-fest lineup, with Cypress Hill of “Insane in the Brain” fame and fellow L.A. vets the Pharcyde, plus Lupe Fiasco and DJ Abilities. (5 p.m. Aug. 23, grandstand, $54-$70, etix.com)

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

JON BREAM

We’re not too happy about seeing yet another Happy Together Tour at the grandstand Aug. 25, but are thrilled the fair is bringing back Grammy-winning East Los Angeles rock institution Los Lobos for another free two-night stand. The acclaimed band that went to No. 1 in 1987 with “La Bamba” from the Ritchie Valens biopic of the same name still boasts all five of its core members and still puts on exuberant, danceable live shows filled with a cross-section of American and Mexican music. (8:30 p.m. Aug. 25 & 26, Bandshell Tonight, free)

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

It’s the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band’s first Minnesota State Fair gig in 10 years. That’s because Joe Elliott and crew have been busy filling Twin Cities stadiums the last few years. They’re so big — and popular — that they are commanding the most expensive ticket in grandstand history at a whopping $292. Def Lep is back for its sixth performance at the grandstand, reprising “Rock of Ages” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” Opening are veteran rockers Brother Cane, remembered for “And Fools Shine On” and “I Lie in the Bed I Make.” (7 p.m. Aug. 26, grandstand, $77-$292, etix.com)

JON BREAM

JON BREAM

It’s a night of blue-eyed soul from different generations. Tapped to fill in after Steve Miller canceled his tour because of weather concerns, Hall is the lead singer of Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Hall & Oates, the voice of “Sara Smile,” “Private Eyes,” “Maneater” and other ’70s and ’80s favorites. The Rascals, an early blue-eyed soul band still featuring lead singer Felix Cavaliere and guitarist Gene Cornish, will revisit those ‘60s hits “Groovin’” and “Good Lovin.’” (7 p.m. Aug. 28, grandstand $44-$125, etix.com)

JON BREAM

After taking on Xcel Energy Center last fall with their brothers-in-banjo Trampled by Turtles, Scott and Seth Avett and their rootsy North Carolina band will make their local fans happy being outdoors again. The “Kick Drum Heart” and “I and Love and You” hitmakers returned from a five-year break between albums and returned to earnest form with last year’s self-titled album. California pickers Milk Carton Kids open. (7 p.m. Aug. 29, grandstand, $54-$86, etix.com)

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

JON BREAM

If the amateur talent contest finals at the grandstand aren’t your thing, we recommend this budding Minnesotan indie-pop star who sounds a bit like a Midwestern Olivia Rodrigo. Bemidji area native Berit Dybing, 27, went viral coming out of COVID lockdown with dating-hardship songs such as “Boys Who Kiss You in Their Car” and “Your Internet Sucks.” She’s now a fixture on the Current with bluer ballads such as “Better Man.” (7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 & Sept. 1, Bandshell Tonight, free)

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

On closing day, give the kiddos something to buzz about on the first day of school. Bri & the Anti-Heroes, a Midwestern band fronted by Brianna Helbling, will play the music of Taylor Swift and others in a family-friendly show. It’s all put together by the Rock and Roll Playhouse, a New York company that specializes in turn-down-the-volume, turn-up-the-fun concerts to introduce kids, especially those between 1 and 7 years old, to rock ’n’ roll. Bri & the Anti-Heroes have performed three Swiftie shows at First Avenue. (11 a.m. & 3 p.m. Sept. 1, grandstand, $10-$19.25, etix.com)