Following the announcement that Meat Loaf was canceling his Illinois State Fair performance, fairgoers took to the phones. Calls came into the Illinois State Fair office with people pleading with state fair staffers to the keep Styx and Tesla on the Grandstand schedule. Ask and you shall receive! Keeping with our theme of Growing Illinois, the Illinois State Fair is pleased to announce Styx, a band with Illinois ties, and Tesla will remain on the Grandstand lineup.
Styx is entering their second decade of averaging over 100 shows a year, and fans repeatedly remark about the bands energy which is apparent in each and every time they take the stage.
Tesla is touring once again with four of its five original band members. Known for their down to earth, melodic tunes, this multi-platinum-selling rock band is once again wowing crowds worldwide. The group is best known for songs like, “What You Give,” and “Love Song,” and credits their loyal fan base (and their younger generations) for their years of success.
Tickets for the Wednesday, August 19thshow will go on sale via Ticketmaster on May 16th. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Illinois State Fair office the following Monday, May 18th.
Tickets to see Styx and Tesla will range from $35 for VIP tickets to $13 for Tier 3 track tickets.
Well, at least now we know the musical tastes of the new State Fair manager.
I mean, really, I saw Styx way back in 1978. It was a decent show I suppose, but I only went because Thin Lizzy was the opening act
Styx played the state fair a few years back with REO Speedwagon, have to say REO did the better show. Also sort of like Spinal Tap I am not sure how many of the original members tour with them anymore.
- Paddyrollingstone - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 8:54 am:
I hate to say it, but that shows how national acts who aren’t country actually view our state fair.
Thin Lizzy would’ve been incredible to see live and in their heyday. Phil Lynott died way too young.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 8:59 am:
I think “JY” Young might be the only “original” member of Styx who is still with the band, although Tommy Shaw has been with them since most of their successful period. These 70s-80s acts will be with us playing state fairs for decades to come, replacing faceless members one by one till there are none left, with the group names and old hits still being of recognizable value.
I’m in the minority here but Styx is sounding pretty good as is Tesla. Saw Jeff Keith (lead singer of Tesla) a couple of years ago in Vegas and he was excellent. Hadn’t lost anything from the band’s heyday.
-I’m in the minority here but Styx is sounding pretty good -
I’m right there with you. I was at the Styx/REO concert a couple of years ago and enjoyed Styx more than REO. Clearly it’s a personal preference thing. In my opinion, REO has not held up as well through the years since they played an event at my high school years ago.
Lovesme some Thin Lizzy. The Cowboy Song and Whiskey in the Jar always get turned up to eleven. RIP Phil Lynott and Gary Moore.
- Rayne of Terror - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 10:02 am:
Decatur Celebration has The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band coming back for a second time. That’s nearly the best live show I’ve ever seen. High energy, lots of crowd engagement. The fair should check their schedule for an opening.
People act like the State Fair is not a big deal. Illinois is the 6th largest state (population-wise) and has a fair that draws close to 1 million visitors each year. We have always been able to bring in big country names. Kenny Chesney sold out the Grandstand the summer after I graduated college.
I know that I’ve said it before, but I really wish the State Fair would bring in an all day music festival. Charge concert goers the standard parking fees and a ticket, and that would allow the concert goers to freely roam the fairgrounds during the show. Give the concert goers a wristband to get back in. If they wanna go grab a corn dog, great. If they wanna check out the Butter Cow or see the diving show, wonderful. No reason that could not work.
Love to see a pairing of the Wisconsin groups BoDeans and Violent Femmes, And, by the bye, the Who once played at the Grandstand…….destroyed their instruments as a finale.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 2:27 pm:
==Senior rock==
The problem is that, at some point, just like Tier 1 employees, they will all fade away, and then WHO will be there to take their place?
- Springfieldish - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 4:26 pm:
Saw Thin Lizzy at the Riviera Theater in ‘74 or ‘75. Opening act was Be Bop Deluxe. After over forty years of Maximum R&B, that show still rates as one of the very best! Sorry, but the State Fair and Springfield in general are just not ready for the boyos as they were in the 70’s. Visions of Carhart overalls with mouths agape fill my mind!
- MrJM - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 8:46 am:
That bill needs a third act.
Desperately.
– MrJM
- OneMan - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 8:51 am:
Styx played the state fair a few years back with REO Speedwagon, have to say REO did the better show. Also sort of like Spinal Tap I am not sure how many of the original members tour with them anymore.
- Paddyrollingstone - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 8:54 am:
Phil Lynott was the king.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 8:54 am:
Breaking news, continuing the ancient theme, King Tut and His Egyptian Pharaohs announced as the third act.
- The Colossus of Roads - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 8:57 am:
Two days in a row! Great selection. Even though the band didn’t like it too much, my all time favorite song from Thin Lizzy is Whiskey in the Jar.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 8:58 am:
I hate to say it, but that shows how national acts who aren’t country actually view our state fair.
Thin Lizzy would’ve been incredible to see live and in their heyday. Phil Lynott died way too young.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 8:59 am:
I think “JY” Young might be the only “original” member of Styx who is still with the band, although Tommy Shaw has been with them since most of their successful period. These 70s-80s acts will be with us playing state fairs for decades to come, replacing faceless members one by one till there are none left, with the group names and old hits still being of recognizable value.
- Stones - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 8:59 am:
I’m in the minority here but Styx is sounding pretty good as is Tesla. Saw Jeff Keith (lead singer of Tesla) a couple of years ago in Vegas and he was excellent. Hadn’t lost anything from the band’s heyday.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:04 am:
=== (TESLA) Hadn’t lost anything from the band’s heyday. ===
Talk about damning with faint praise.
- Linus - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:04 am:
Phil Lynott’s been gone nearly 30 years - peace be upon him! - and Lizzy is still hard to beat. Thanks for another great morning tune, Rich.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:07 am:
FYI: Wisonsin’s state fair will be kicking it off with Boston.
- Stones - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:08 am:
Juvenal,
I’m telling you they weren’t bad at all. It’s the Illinois State Fair for pete’s sake - you aren’t going to get the Rolling Stones!
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:10 am:
===It’s the Illinois State Fair for pete’s sake - you aren’t going to get the Rolling Stones! ===
We got Bob Dylan.
- Filmmaker Professor - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:11 am:
The boys were back in town.
- waffle fries - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:21 am:
Tedeshci Trucks! Dave Alvin!
- Linus - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:24 am:
- That bill needs a third act.
Desperately. -
MrJM, it appears the state fair folks instead decided the bill needed a desperate act. Thirdly!
- downstate commissioner - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:27 am:
And Willie Nelson…
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:28 am:
jailbreak from the cryogenic chamber.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:31 am:
Who is asking for Rolling Stones?
Washington State Fair got Heart.
Wisconsin got Boston.
Heck, Ravinia’s seating is tiny and they have Steve Miller Band, ZZ Top, Santana, and Blondie all playing this summer.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:39 am:
The . Ahem, better bands have been booked up for awhile now
- walker - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:39 am:
===Second Bananas Replacing Meat Loaf===
Rauner transition?
- Observation - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:42 am:
-I’m in the minority here but Styx is sounding pretty good -
I’m right there with you. I was at the Styx/REO concert a couple of years ago and enjoyed Styx more than REO. Clearly it’s a personal preference thing. In my opinion, REO has not held up as well through the years since they played an event at my high school years ago.
- Slick Willy - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:48 am:
Lovesme some Thin Lizzy. The Cowboy Song and Whiskey in the Jar always get turned up to eleven. RIP Phil Lynott and Gary Moore.
- Rayne of Terror - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 10:02 am:
Decatur Celebration has The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band coming back for a second time. That’s nearly the best live show I’ve ever seen. High energy, lots of crowd engagement. The fair should check their schedule for an opening.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 10:17 am:
People act like the State Fair is not a big deal. Illinois is the 6th largest state (population-wise) and has a fair that draws close to 1 million visitors each year. We have always been able to bring in big country names. Kenny Chesney sold out the Grandstand the summer after I graduated college.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 10:19 am:
Senior rock
- Sheila Simon's Banjo - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 10:42 am:
Meatloaf would’ve been kinda boring anyway, I rhink. Styx will probably be okay. Tesla? Why not Ratt? Or Cinderella? Heh. Just plain weird.
Yeah, I dunnp, I’m with TS on this one. The fair is a pretty big deal, I feel like they could do a whole lot better with the talent.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 10:45 am:
The Iowa State Fair is getting Styx/Tesla…..with their normal headliner Def Leppard. Shows where Illinois is in the pecking order.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 10:48 am:
==Senior rock==
Such rock typically sells more tickets at these events. I’ll wager that Sammy Hagar sells more tickets than any of the modern bands playing.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 10:57 am:
“$13 for Tier 3 track tickets”
$13 is also the Tier 3 pension benefit the governor proposes.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 11:19 am:
I know that I’ve said it before, but I really wish the State Fair would bring in an all day music festival. Charge concert goers the standard parking fees and a ticket, and that would allow the concert goers to freely roam the fairgrounds during the show. Give the concert goers a wristband to get back in. If they wanna go grab a corn dog, great. If they wanna check out the Butter Cow or see the diving show, wonderful. No reason that could not work.
- Nick Danger - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 11:43 am:
I was thrilled to see Steely Dan live at the fair last year. And they say you can’t buy one!
- Nick Danger - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 11:48 am:
…a thrill that is.
- Keyser Soze - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 1:25 pm:
Love to see a pairing of the Wisconsin groups BoDeans and Violent Femmes, And, by the bye, the Who once played at the Grandstand…….destroyed their instruments as a finale.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 2:27 pm:
==Senior rock==
The problem is that, at some point, just like Tier 1 employees, they will all fade away, and then WHO will be there to take their place?
- Springfieldish - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 4:26 pm:
Saw Thin Lizzy at the Riviera Theater in ‘74 or ‘75. Opening act was Be Bop Deluxe. After over forty years of Maximum R&B, that show still rates as one of the very best! Sorry, but the State Fair and Springfield in general are just not ready for the boyos as they were in the 70’s. Visions of Carhart overalls with mouths agape fill my mind!
- Emily Booth - Wednesday, May 13, 15 @ 9:38 pm:
Saw Thin Lizzy at the Riviera years ago. They opened for Graham Parker. What a great evening!