Full range of music tuned up for Du Quoin State Fair

DU QUOIN, Ill. — From country to rock ‘n’ roll and rap, the musical lineup at the 2023 Du Quoin State Fair features local, national and up-and-coming performers and groups.

The fair’s grandstand events lean heavily toward country acts while the Roll’n Up Beer Tent Stage will feature rock ‘n’ roll performers.

Josh Gross, the manager of the Du Quoin State Fair, said audience demand is the reason.

“We decided a couple of years ago to move most of our rock ‘n’ roll into the beer tent. Rock ‘n’ roll ticket sales don’t always go as high as country music ticket sales,” he said.

“We wanted to keep all of our rock ‘n’ roll music fans happy so we put all the rock ‘n’ roll acts in the beer tent and just make it free.”

Gross said fairgoers approved of the move, judging from attendance numbers.

“Last year that seemed to go over really well. We had large crowds at the beer tent, probably the largest we’ve had in years,” he said. “We are hoping that continues this year. We have the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Firehouse this year.”

Gross said featuring the rock ‘n’ roll acts in the beer tent also allows organizers to bring in local and regional bands and performers.

“The national acts are headliners and then we surround them with local bands, southern Illinois bands who have devoted followings, who go every weekend to see those bands perform, along with regional bands that come out of Champaign or Bloomington,” he said.

This year, the Roll’n Up Beer Tent Stage will have Karegan opening at 6:30 p.m. for The Fabulous Thunderbirds at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 25; Downstate Music Company at 7 p.m. on Aug. 26; Catfish Willie at 5 p.m. and Queen’s Boulevard at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 27; West of 57 at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 28; Not Guilty Band at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 29; Cat Daddy’O at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 30; Taylor Kearney at 3 p.m. and Southern Discomfort at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 31; Dennis Stroughmatt and the Honky Tonk Circus at 6:30 p.m. and Neil Dover Band at 9 p.m. on Sept. 1; Fan Halen at 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 2; Doctor Fever and the Venus Flytrap at 7:30 p.m. and Scarab-The Journey Experience at 9 p.m. on Sept. 3; and Mix Tape at 5 p.m. on Sept. 4.

The grandstand acts will feature Carly Pearce at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 26. Pearce is a former Dollywood performer who became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2021, with an invite from Dolly Parton. Pearce’s familiar tunes include “Closer To You,” “Honeysuckle,” “Every Little Thing” and “Next Girl.”

Travis Denning with Connor Smith takes the grandstand stage at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 27. Denning is the author of familiar country radio tunes including “Buy A Girl A Drink,” “After a Few,” “Dirt Road Down” and “Strawberry Wine and a Cheap Six Pack.”

Randy Houser with Murphy 500 takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 31. Houser rocketed to fame in 2013 with the ever-popular “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight,” “How Country Feels,” “Note to Self,” “Boots On” and “Whistlin’ Dixie.”

Dustin Lynch performs at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 1. Lynch has had eight No. 1 country songs and four Top 5 albums. Lynch’s hits include “Thinking ‘Bout You,” “Party Mode,” “Stars Like Confetti” and “Ridin’ Roads.”

Flo Rida performs on the grandstand stage at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 2. Flo Rida established himself as a king of famous club songs throughout the early and mid 2000s. His hits include a country-rap collaboration, “No Bad Days.” His club hits include “Club Can’t Handle Me,” “GDFR (Goin’ Down For Real)” and “Right Round.”

Larry the Cable Guy with Derrick Stroup closes out the fair, performing on the grandstand stage at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 4.

Tickets for the grandstand shows can be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster.com and at the Du Quoin State Fair ticket office.

“The grandstand shows you need advance tickets for and you can buy tickets, once you get onsite, for all shows, all races, any motorsports,” Gross said.

For more information on the Roll’n Up Beer Stage acts and the grandstand acts at the Du Quoin State Fair, go to https://dsf.illinois.gov and select “Entertainment” from the menu on the left.