ST PAUL, Minn. — Editor's note: Nur-D's performance above took place in August of 2022.
The KARE 11 Barn at the Minnesota State Fair is ready to rock again this year with a lineup of local artists you won't want to miss!
Each show starts at 2 p.m. and is free to attend inside the Barn near the corner of Nelson Street and Judson Avenue.
Read below for details about this year's lineup, and scroll to look back on performances from years past.
WEEK 1
THURSDAY, AUG. 22
MANIAS
Manias is made up of Jay Hurley (vocals, guitar); Mykl Westbrooks (guitar); Bill Schwartz (drums); Brock Specht (bass); and subbing on bass at the State Fair, Connor Lee.
FROM THE ARTIST: Mykl Westbrooks
What’s your favorite fair food?
I like Fresh French Fries and deep-fried pickles and Bill said the cheese curds were OK.
What’s your favorite fair activity?
Bill is a huge fan of the logging show and I like people watching from the Skyglider.
What’s the best live show you’ve seen at the fair?
I saw the B52s and Culture Club a few years ago.
Any message for folks thinking about coming to see your show?
Stay hydrated!
Anything coming up that fans should know about?
You can hear some of our music here manias.bandcamp.com and we are currently working on five new tracks. We'll also be playing at the Red Sea on Sept. 19.
FRIDAY, AUG. 23
The three-piece group ahem features Erik Anderson (guitar); Alyse Emanuel (drums); and Courtney Berndt (bass).
SATURDAY, AUG. 24
Obi Obikwelu, a.k.a. Obi Original, is an artist, performer and producer based in Minneapolis. The band includes Myles Long (drums); Gavin Taylor-Stark (bass); Mitch Sigurdson (rhythm guitarist); Jovon Williams (sax); Chinwe Jideofor (congas); Bakari Jackson (clave); and Ilhe "Kion Rose" Omeronye (shaker).
FROM THE ARTIST: Obi Original
What’s your favorite fair food?
TURKEY LEG!!! Sweet Martha’s for dessert.
What’s your favorite fair activity?
The Zipper
What’s the best live show you’ve seen at the fair?
Anita Baker
Any message for folks thinking about coming to see your show?
My music is for all. My music will inspire and enlighten any of those in its path. We offer the best dance music in Minneapolis. So, if you haven’t gone to the gym, don’t worry; we’ll have you covered.
Anything coming up that fans should know about?
Sept. 13 show at The Cabooze w/ Miloe.
SUNDAY, AUG. 25
Emily Haavik and the 35s is comprised of Emily Haavik (guitar, vocals); Dave Mehling (guitar, keyboards, vocals); Beau Jeffrey (bass); and Sheldon Way (drums).
FROM THE ARTIST: Emily Haavik
What’s your favorite fair food?
Chicken in a waffle cone
What’s your favorite fair activity?
This year it will probably be petting the barn animals since I'm bringing my son for the first time and I can't wait to see his face!
Any message for folks thinking about coming to see your show?
Come get out of the sun, kick your feet up, and groove to some glam country with us!
Anything coming up that fans should know about?
Our new album "Wingspan" is coming out this fall! We're celebrating with an album release Thursday, Oct. 3 at Icehouse in Minneapolis. Come join us!
WEEK 2
THURSDAY, AUG. 29
Ian McCarthy (vocals); Nick Benish (bass); Tarek Abdelqader (drums); Kevin Gamble (keys); Alex Graves (guitar); Andrew Tomten (sax); and Drew Mabusth (backup vocals) make up Twin Cities outfit Goon Tribune.
FROM THE ARTISTS
What’s your favorite fair food?
It's all so good, and there is new stuff every year! I like to try a little bit of everything, one thing we can't miss is the blueberry mini donuts.
What’s your favorite fair activity?
Favorite spot is the International Bazaar, it's such a fun place to hang, shop, and listen to some awesome music.
What’s the best live show you’ve seen at the fair?
Annie Mack back in 2022 at the Schell's Stage was a force to be reckoned with; that was an amazing performance from her and her band.
Any message for folks thinking about coming to see your show?
Come out with open ears and get ready for a good time!
Anything coming up that fans should know about?
We have a new album out, "Second Opinion." It is streaming everywhere, and you can buy a digital copy on our website.
FRIDAY, AUG. 30
CHANDLER'S HOUSE
Chandler's House is an alt-country quintet formed by Chandler Campbell (guitar, vocals); Samuel Becker (keys); Jason Krueth (bass); Leng Moua (guitar); and Dan Crowe (drums).
FROM THE ARTIST: Chandler Campbell
What’s your favorite fair food?
Funnel Cake and pronto pups (not corn dogs).
What’s your favorite fair activity?
Hanging with friends, tasting the beer and seeing great free music.
What’s the best live show you’ve seen at the fair?
Diana Ross.
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
Twin Cities-based rockers The S Rays feature Ben Crunk (drums, vocals); Joe Hastings (guitar, vocals); Ben Bachman (piano, guitar, vocals); and Joe Holland (bass).
FROM THE ARTIST: Joe Holland
What’s your favorite fair food?
Anything vegetarian or vegan. Stick optional.
What’s your favorite fair activity?
Being completely overwhelmed by it all. And the big slide.
What’s the best live show you’ve seen at the fair?
Marky Ramone
Any message for folks thinking about coming to see your show?
If you dig throwback, early rock and roll music with a punk-rock influence, we are your band. Our primary influences are Link Wray, Joan Jett, The Kinks and any 70s-80s punk. Also, our band is called The Sex Rays, we only went with S Rays to
blend into a family friendly situation.
Anything coming up that fans should know about?
UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS
09/19/2024 - The Hook & Ladder Theater
10/19/2024 - The Schooner Tavern
10/26/2024 - The Terminal Bar
11/09/2024 - Art Attack! / 406 Gallery Northrup King Building
SUNDAY, AUG. 1
BLACK WIDOWS
Pamela Laizure (bass, vocals); Corinne Caouette (guitar, vocals); and (The only dude we have ever let in the band 😂) Chris Schoonover (drums) make up Minneapolis surf-punk band Black Widows.
FROM THE ARTISTS
What’s your favorite fair food?
Any kind of pickle-centric food, anything vegan, corn, Herbivorous Butcher, Indigenous Food Lab, Harry Singh's, mini donut beer & oat milk soft-serve.
What’s your favorite fair activity?
Funhouses, watching Mia Dorr’s Karaoke at The Garden, Haunted House (obviously), The Giant Slide (obviously), Gravitron, people-watching and fashion-profiling, crop art, Ye Old Mill, and The International Bazaar has some great dance, music, and performance from many cultures & traditions, and the multiple free, accessible music stages!
Also, our drummer Chris is really scared of haunted houses so if you want to witness his bravery, come with us and help us protect him.
What’s the best live show you’ve seen at the fair?
Wanda Jackson, Parliament-Funkadelic, The Fiddle Competition, The Intoxicats, & so many we can’t even think of…
Any message for folks thinking about coming to see your show?
Get ready to ROCK! Bring your dancing shoes. Bring the kids. We have stickers for them and we might even bring them on stage! We may look intimidating (lol) but our show is for everyone!
Anything coming up that fans should know about?
Yes! We have a new, limited-edition vinyl EP coming out this fall called, “Swamp Rock City,” which you can pre-order now at BlackWidows.Bandcamp.com and we will be going into the studio again this winter to finish a full-length record which we will be promoting and touring with come 2025! Follow us @blackwidowsrocks on IG and FB to stay current with our stuff!