Indiana State Fair free concert guide
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Ronnie, Ricky and Mike are preparing to "Poison" the Indiana State Fair free stage. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
From Bell Biv DeVoe to Keanu Reeves, it's shaping up to be another banger year of summer shows at the Indiana State Fair's Hoosier Lottery Free Stage.
Why it matters: The free stage has grown into one of the fair's most beloved (and cost-conscious) annual staples.
Driving the news: The final wave of free stage performers dropped Thursday, adding returning blues legend Buddy Guy, rocker Lita Ford and others to the 17-show lineup.
- The Indiana State Fair runs from Aug. 2-18 and is open every day except Mondays.
Flashback: The free stage has always prided itself on a diverse lineup of performers ranging from Hall of Famers to cover bands.
- Some past acts include the Jonas Brothers in 2007, the cast of "Nashville" in 2014, Anthony Hamilton in 2016, and Hanson in 2018.
Yes, but: The Indiana State Fair's arguable musical peak was when the Beatles did their only Indiana shows there in 1964. That, however, was not a free gig.
- One of this year's free stage acts is a 60th-anniversary tribute to that event.
If you go: All shows at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage are free with paid fair admission, and seating is first-come, first-served.
- Shows start at 7:30pm unless noted otherwise.
- Discount fair tickets can be purchased now at IndianaStateFair.com.
Here is the complete Hoosier Lottery Free State concert lineup, along with a more than two-and-a-half-hour Spotify playlist that features tracks from the artists mentioned below.
Three Dog Night: Aug. 2.
Celebrating The Beatles: Aug. 3.
- Hard Day's Night Beatles Tribute starts at 2pm.
- Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney starts at 7:30pm.
Gladys Knight: Aug. 4.
84 - Van Halen Tribute: Aug. 6.
Buddy Guy: Aug. 7.
Dogstar featuring bassist Keanu Reeves: Aug. 8.
Bell Biv DeVoe: Aug. 9.
Fearless: The Taylor Swift Tribute: Aug. 10.
Blessing Offor: 2pm Aug. 11.
Newsboys: Aug. 11.
Latino-Fest: Aug. 13.
Happy Together Tour: Aug. 14.
- Featuring The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, The Association, Badfinger with Joey Molland, The Vogues and The Cowsills.
Sublime with Rome: Aug. 15.
Gary Allan: Aug. 16.
Lita Ford: Aug. 17.
Gospel Music Festival featuring Yolanda Adams: Aug. 18.