Lainey Wilson may have broken the record for the largest crowd in New York State Fair concert history last year, but 2024′s biggest show definitely won’t be country music. Or rock.
The 2024 NYS Fair concert lineup is very diverse, with 39 national acts offering something for everyone, but this year’s throne likely belongs to hip-hop. The only question is: Who will win the rap battle?
Flo Rida, the voice of hits like “Low,” “My House,” “Wild Ones,” “Club Can’t Handle Me” and “GDFR,” will perform at the Fair’s Suburban Park stage on Thursday, Aug. 29, at 8 p.m. If the weather is favorable, he could easily draw 40,000 people like similar generational forces Nelly (43,000 in 2022) and Ludacris (39,400 in 2023). For comparison, Flo Rida currently averages 34 million monthly listeners on Spotify — more than any other 2024 Fair performer, and more than Nelly and Ludacris combined.
Other potential big draws include Big Boi (of Outkast fame) on Friday, Aug. 30, and “the boss” Rick Ross on Sunday, Sept. 1. Both rap shows will take place at 8 p.m. on the Suburban Park stage.
Even the Ying Yang Twins, Lil Jon’s partners in crunk on 2000s hits “Get Low” and “Salt Shaker,” could draw a large crowd to Chevy Court on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m.
Then again, could pop be king? The biggest non-rap concert on this year’s lineup is Joey Fatone and AJ McLean, who will perform *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys songs at Suburban Park on Opening Day (Wednesday, Aug. 21) at 8 p.m. The two boy bands were among the biggest artists of the Y2K/TRL era with songs like “Bye Bye Bye,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” “I Want It That Way” and “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).”
Flo Rida performs onstage during the 50 Cent: The Final Lap Tour at Barclays Center on August 9, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Suburban Park, where the New York State Fair’s largest concerts will be held, is located in the New York Experience area on the west end near Gate 10, in the back of the Midway and past the Expo Center. There are no afternoon shows at Suburban Park this year, while the smaller Chevy Court (located near Gate 1, next to the Center of Progress Building) will feature two shows daily.
All NYS Fair concerts are free with admission to the Fair.
Fair concerts traditionally saw the biggest audiences for country and rock artists, but the needle has moved in recent years. Four of the top 5 largest crowds in NYS Fair concert history are rap acts, including newer artists like A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie in 2018 and City Girls in 2022.
Wilson set a new Fair (and Syracuse) record when she drew a staggering 53,200 fans to Suburban Park last year, but it’s not a bold prediction to say none of this year’s country acts will come close to that feat. The top country artists coming in 2024 are “Ride the Lightning” singer Warren Zeiders (Thursday, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.), rising chanteuse Megan Moroney (Monday, Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.) and former Florida Georgia Line singer Brian Kelley (Saturday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.), all at Suburban Park.
Megan Moroney performs onstage during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 2, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Natasha Moustache/Getty Images)Getty Images
And the rest of the lineup still offers fun for everyone.
If you like harder music, get ready to rock out with Chevelle (Saturday, Aug. 24, at 8 p.m. at Suburban Park) and returning Celtic punk rockers Dropkick Murphys (Sunday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m. at Suburban Park).
Older rock fans will be more interested in KISS guitarist Ace Frehley (Thursday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. at Chevy Court); Blue Öyster Cult (Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at Chevy Court); and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. at Suburban Park). Frehley and Jett are both members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Anyone nostalgic for the 1990s will enjoy “‘90s Rewind” with Digital Underground, Tone Loc and Color Me Badd on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. at Chevy Court, plus returning “CrazySexyCool” R&B group TLC on Friday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. at Suburban Park.
For kids (and parents), there’s Kidz Bop (Saturday, Aug. 24, at 1 p.m. at Chevy Court) and “Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour” (Sunday, Sept. 1, at 1 p.m. at Chevy Court).
Taylor Swift fans will get a special treat this year when DJ Swiftie brings an all-Swift dance party to Chevy Court on Aug. 30, at 9 p.m.
If you want to cheer on some Upstate New York artists, check out Danielle Ponder (Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. at Chevy Court) and former “The Voice” contestant Tom Nitti (Thursday, Aug. 29, at 1 p.m. at Chevy Court). Ponder is a rising R&B singer from Rochester and Nitti is a soulful country singer from New Hartford.
Other notable acts include “The Twist” icon Chubby Checker (Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 1 p.m. at Chevy Court); “We Are Family” disco group Sister Sledge (Friday, Aug. 23, at 6 p.m. at Chevy Court); perennial Fair performer Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (Monday, Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. at Chevy Court); “Until I Found You” singer Stephen Sanchez (Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. at Suburban Park); the JAMS Funk Fest 2024 f/ Raydio & TMF (Saturday, Aug. 31 at Chevy Court); bilingual rapper Snow Tha Product (Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at Chevy Court); and chainsaw rockers Jackyl (Monday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. at Suburban Park).
The 2024 New York State Fair will run from Aug. 21 through Sept. 2.
Joey Fatone and AJ McLean perform at the Ryman Auditorium on June 28, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)Getty Images
2024 NYS Fair concert lineup
Aug. 21 at 1 p.m.: Chubby Checker at Chevy Court
Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.: ‘90s Rewind with Digital Underground, Tone Loc and Color Me Badd at Chevy Court
Aug. 21 at 8 p.m.: Joey Fatone and AJ McLean at Suburban Park
Aug. 22 at 1 p.m.: RVSHVD at Chevy Court
Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.: Ace Frehley at Chevy Court
Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.: Warren Zeiders at Suburban Park
Aug. 23 at 1 p.m.: Sophie B. Hawkins at Chevy Court
Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.: Sister Sledge at Chevy Court
Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.: TLC at Suburban Park
Aug. 24 at 1 p.m.: Kidz Bop at Chevy Court
Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.: Ying Yang Twins at Chevy Court
Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.: Chevelle at Suburban Park
Aug. 25 at 1 p.m.: The Elders at Chevy Court
Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.: Dax at Chevy Court
Aug. 25 at 8 p.m.: Dropkick Murphys at Suburban Park
Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone at Chevy Court
Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.: CAIN at Chevy Court
Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.: Megan Moroney at Suburban Park
Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.: Little Anthony & The Imperials at Chevy Court
Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.: Blue Öyster Cult at Chevy Court
Aug. 27 at 8 p.m.: Stephen Sanchez at Suburban Park
Aug. 28 at 1 p.m.: Crystal Gayle at Chevy Court
Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.: Danielle Ponder at Chevy Court
Aug. 28 at 8 p.m.: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts at Suburban Park
Aug. 29 at 1 p.m.: Tom Nitti at Chevy Court
Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.: Chapel Hart at Chevy Court
Aug. 29 at 8 o.m.: Flo Rida at Suburban Park
Aug. 30 at 1 p.m.: The Cleverlys at Chevy Court
Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.: Josh Ross at Chevy Court
Aug. 30 at 9 p.m.: DJ Swiftie at Chevy Court
Aug. 30 at 8 p.m.: Big Boi at Suburban Park
Aug. 31 from 12-10 p.m.: JAMS Funk Fest 2024 f/ Raydio at 6:30 p.m. & TMF at 8 p.m. at Chevy Court
Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.: Brian Kelley at Suburban Park
Sept. 1 at 1 p.m.: “Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour” at Chevy Court
Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.: Snow Tha Product at Chevy Court
Sept. 1 at 8 p.m.: Rick Ross
Sept. 2 at 12 p.m. & 4 p.m.: Journey From the Heart at Chevy Court
Sept. 2 at 6 p.m.: Jackyl at Suburban Park
Tom Nitti, of New Hartford, N.Y., competes on "The Voice."NBC video still
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