Entertainment

Listen before you go: State Fair musicians are from NC, and you should hear their stuff

READ MORE


More coverage of the 2023 NC STATE FAIR

From food to rides to exhibits and more, here’s where we’ll drop everything you need to know to attend -- and make the most of -- the 2023 North Carolina State Fair.

Expand All

Listen to the NC State Fair’s musical artists before your visit with The News & Observer’s “Listen Local” playlist on Spotify.

The “Listen Local” playlist includes the most-played song by each artist playing the State Fair (as of Sept. 19, when the playlist was curated). A handful of musicians playing one of the fair’s stages do not have Spotify accounts and thus are not included in the playlist.

The N&O has instead provided links to those artists’ websites below.

Where can I listen to live music at the NC State Fair?

The Homegrown Music Fest has two stages with about 50 different performers throughout the fair.

All musical acts are from North Carolina, assistant communications director Heather Overton said.

The Live & Local Waterfall Music Stage, outside Dorton Arena, has a mix of everything: rock, hip hop, Latin, blues, jazz, country and more.

This stage will feature:

Don Rigsby & Midnight Call perform Heritage Circle Thursday, October 16, 2014 at the State Fair in Raleigh. Fairgoers can enjoy a variety of free music performances from bluegrass to pop and R&B.
Don Rigsby & Midnight Call perform Heritage Circle Thursday, October 16, 2014 at the State Fair in Raleigh. Fairgoers can enjoy a variety of free music performances from bluegrass to pop and R&B. TRAVIS LONG tlong@newsobserver.com

The Heritage Circle Stage, near the Village of Yesteryear, primarily features bluegrass music.

This stage will feature:

Check out the daily schedule to find out when each band will be performing each day of the Fair.

Note: There are no concerts inside Dorton Arena again this year.

(Details: ncstatefair.org/2023/Attractions/HomegrownMusic.htm)

This story was originally published October 9, 2023 at 7:20 AM with the headline "Listen before you go: State Fair musicians are from NC, and you should hear their stuff."

Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
The News & Observer
Kimberly Tutuska (she/her) is the editor of North Carolina’s service journalism team. 
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER

More coverage of the 2023 NC STATE FAIR

From food to rides to exhibits and more, here’s where we’ll drop everything you need to know to attend -- and make the most of -- the 2023 North Carolina State Fair.