The Grandstand gets the big names, but it’s the entertainment at smaller stages across the grounds that gives the Minnesota State Fair the right to call itself “Minnesota’s biggest music festival.” The fair has just released the lineup for this year’s free (with fair admission) stages, and it’s a doozy. National artists on the lineup…

Today's top music news stories include a new album and tour for John Mellencamp, a surprise song from Lana Del Rey, and an unreleased memoir by Mick Jagger.

This week started with a bang, as two big concert announcements dropped early in the morning. Guns N’ Roses will bring their reunion tour to U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on July 30, and next summer’s State Fair Grandstand series will begin with Nickelback. GnR have been teasing a local gig announcement with “welcome to the…

The great Minnesota Get-Together has come and gone, but the performances live on. Watch archived video of the ten sessions we hosted at the MPR booth.

Saturday night at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand proved to be a testimony to fervent rock and roll. The Current’s Music-on-a-Stick this year featured headliner Weezer, with supporting acts the Struts and Fury Things. They all performed with a manic level of energy, while each showcased their own unique brand of unhinged, enthusiastic rock and…

Stage Manager Wallace Fleming works with stage crew and performers to make concerts happen at the Schell's Stage at the West End Market at the Minnesota State Fair. "I help everyone get what they need," he says. Meet Fleming and the rest of his crew, and go behind the scenes of an Okee Dokee Brothers performance at the Schell's Stage.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Dixie Chicks became the first act to headline the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand on back-to-back nights since Alabama did so in 1988. In addition to covering Fleetwood Mac (their hit version of “Landslide”), Bob Dylan (“Mississippi”), and Beyoncé (“Daddy Lessons”), the Chicks paid tribute to Prince with moving covers of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” (City…

The Minnesota State Fair isn’t where I expected to have a reflective, rejuvenating, low-key experience — let alone one involving a bunch of Minnesotans decked in purple and dancing to pounding beats. Last night the masses descended per usual upon the fairgrounds on a gorgeous, hazy Friday. The weather was cool enough to wear a…

We're psyched to announce that local rockers Fury Things have been added to the bill for The Current's Music-on-a-Stick next Saturday, Sept. 3 at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand. Weezer are headlining the show, which also features the Struts. Tickets are now available.

The Current's Bill DeVille is a big fan of the Minnesota State Fair, particularly the live music available on the various stages throughout the fairgrounds. Bill recently had a look at the daily rundown of acts around the State Fair, and he's picked some artists you may want to check out during your visit to this year's Fair.