Potential Classic Rock Acts For The 2027 Mississippi Valley Fair

The Mississippi Valley Fair just had a killer week of massively attended shows. Two acts were announced: Bailey Zimmerman and Sam Hunt.

Thousands of people came to the fair this year, riding the rides, petting the animals, seeing the butter sculptures, listening to a ton of live music, and trying their hand at our claw machine game.

The big question on everyone's mind is; Who is the classic rock act for next year? This year brought back feelings of high school heartbreak with the Goo Goo Dolls, supported by Neon Trees

Just remember, there's always going to be country. Shawn Loter, the fair's director, has said that he likes to book 3 country nights, a pop night, a classic rock night, and a rock night. Some bands are just too difficult to work with on a fair show, but we've had some great names like Brett Michaels, Tesla, Alice Cooper, Mellencamp, Skynyrd, Nickelback, Tesla - the list goes on and on.

Who Won't Be At The Fair

Keep in mind, bands like Metallica, The Rolling Stones, or anyone else doing massive stadium shows are not going to be feasible. They're not going to play a fair when they could sell out SoFi 3 nights in a row.

So you have to find a band that fits a fair vibe, but also will draw 10,000-15,000 people in the stands. It's a little limiting, but most of the classic rock acts worth seeing are playing to audiences exactly that size.

Who Could We Get?

Obviously, only the fair knows who is booked or possibly going to be booked, but looking at current tour schedules, there are some really great options.

Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar's currently out on the road with his Best of All Worlds Band, and they're playing everywhere from casinos to arenas. You'd hear the best of all versions of Van Halen, with Michael Anthony's screaming harmonies and Joe Satriani doing everything he can to sound like Eddie.

Doobie Brothers

See that long train runnin', right to the MVF stage. Michael McDonald, Tom Johnston, Patick Simmons, and John McFee are all back together, taking it to the streets.

Kansas

If you were at the fair Friday night this year, you know a thing or two about dust in the wind. But, Kansas is still out touring all over the country, playing all of their big hits.

Billy Idol

Billy Idol just kicked off his newest tour this weekend, and he's playing to the perfect crowd size, with plenty of hits to fill an evening with nostalgia.

ZZ Top

We already know ZZ Top is a great fair act, because they've played at the MVF years ago. Still out on tour, Billy Gibbons still sounds exactly like the records, and of course, they've still got the weirdest guitars you'll ever see.

Journey

As long as the lawsuits between Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon don't reach a point of breaking up the band, Journey can deliver a fantastic show of 80s hits that'll take you right back in time.

Def Leppard

Of all the bands touring currently, this is one that you won't want to miss if they get booked for the Grandstand. They sound exactly like the records, and put on a killer live show as well.

Scorpions

If you talk to Hairball, don't bring up Germany. You'll have to hear about how hard the Scorpions rocked the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin when he was there. They're another that has found a way to rework their show to preserve the sound that made them famous in the first place.