Not that anyone expects Marijuana Deathsquads or any other current buzz bands, but you can get an idea of just how dated the lineup is for the Leinie Bandshell at the Minnesota State Fair this year when you note that the youngest act on the schedule had its big hit 16 years ago.
With a couple grandstand concerts yet to be announced, fair organizers went ahead and unveiled the 2013 lineup for the bandshell and other free stages today. Oklahoma teen popsters Hanson of 1997's "MMMBop" fame -- who are now in their late-20s and early-30s and have maintained a cultish following -- are among the biggest names headed for the bandshell, scheduled Aug. 26-27.
Other bandshell acts will include Texas country starlet Sunny Sweeney (Aug. 22-23), undying "Don't Fear the Reaper" rockers Blue Öyster Cult (Aug. 24-25), former Prince protégé and renowned percussionist Sheila E. (Aug. 28-29), fiery sacred-steel rockers Robert Randolph & the Family Band (Aug. 30-31) and Branson, Mo., mainstays Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers (Sept. 1-2). Datedness aside, that's a pretty good music musically and demographically, and the tree-lined, wooden-bench-filled bandshell area remains a favorite place for us music critics and many other fans to see performanceseach summer.
Other acts playing the fair's free stages this year -- including the International Bazaar, Heritage Square and daytime bandshell gigs -- will include the Okee Dokee Brothers, Pert Near Sandstone, Tonic Sol-fa, Dale Watson, Chubby Carrier, Bill Kirchen, Pieta Brown, Chastity Brown, Mary Jane Alm, the Daisy Dillman Band, the Native Pride Dancers, Rogue Valley, GB Leighton, Billy McLaughlin, the Roe Family Singers and Sena Erhardt.
