State Fair announces next wave of free concerts

INDIANAPOLIS – A country star, an “American Band” and a Fleetwood Mac tribute act highlight the second wave of free concerts at this year’s Indiana State Fair.

Organizers revealed five more acts for the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage: Trace Adkins, TUSK – The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute, Josiah Queen, Grand Funk Railroad and the Happy Together Tour.

All shows are free with paid fair admission and start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Tickets are available here.

Here’s a look at the free concert schedule (newly announced shows in italics):

• The Beach Boys: Friday, Aug. 7 – Opening Day
• TUSK – The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute: Saturday, Aug. 8
• Josiah Queen: Sunday, Aug. 9
• Busta Rhymes: Thursday, Aug. 13
• Grand Funk Railroad: Friday, Aug. 14
• Trace Adkins: Sunday, Aug. 16
• Happy Together: Wednesday, Aug. 19
• Gene Simmons: Thursday, Aug. 20
• Don McLean: Saturday, Aug. 22
• Tasha Cobbs Leonard: Sunday, Aug. 23

Here’s more about the upcoming acts, according to the Indiana State Fair:

TUSK – The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute (Aug. 8)

TUSK has been crisscrossing the country since 2008 as The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Five pro musicians turned into masters of their trade through decades of individual music study, live performance, creative risk, and devotion to the art. TUSK features note-perfect renditions of both the solo and full band songs, with each member specializing in one of the core lineup of Fleetwood Mac (Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood). They possess an electric stage presence that can only come from well over a decade touring together. Truly the best at what they do, TUSK is unmatched in their tribute to one of the greatest bands of all time.

Josiah Queen (Aug. 9)

Josiah Queen has quickly become one of the most impactful voices in Christian music, blending raw authenticity with deeply resonant melodies. With over 1.3 billion combined global streams, his music continues to inspire a wide-reaching and rapidly growing audience. Following the breakout success of “The Prodigal” (200M+ streams), Josiah’s single “Dusty Bibles” became a defining moment in his career becoming his first Billboard Hot 100 hit, and certified Gold in under six months from release. The song also climbed to the top tier of streaming performance, landing in the Top 3 Christian/Gospel Streaming Songs in the U.S., charting on the Spotify Viral 50 in over 15 countries, and reaching the Shazam Top 200 in multiple territories.

Grand Funk Railroad (Aug. 14)

Affectionately known as The American Band, Grand Funk Railroad continues to pack venues across the country, connecting generations of fans with their unmistakable mix of hard-driving rock, soulful vocals, and anthemic hits. Founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums, and writer/singer of the iconic “We’re an American Band”) and Mel Schacher (bass, the thunder behind the groove) are joined by guitar slinger and veteran of Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band Mark Chatfield; and the ever-versatile Tim Cashion (affectionately known as “Dr. Tim”), who – in the past – has hit the road with Robert Palmer and Bob Seger, on keys. Their influence can still be heard in the DNA of rock icons like Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Foreigner, and Journey.

Grand Funk’s music endures not only on the airwaves—thanks to mega-hits like We’re an American Band, I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home, The Loco-Motion, and Some Kind of Wonderful—but also on big screens and TV campaigns. From Disney’s The Country Bears to General Motors commercials, and blockbuster films like Radio and Sahara, their songs remain a cultural touchstone. With more than 25 million albums sold, 19 charting singles, 8 Top 40 hits, and two No. 1 smashes, Grand Funk has earned 7 gold and 10 platinum certifications—including 2022 platinum awards for both We’re an American Band and Some Kind of Wonderful. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering Grand Funk for the first time, there’s no better time to experience one of rock’s most enduring bands.

Trace Adkins (Aug. 16)

Over the course of his three-decade reign in Country music, Trace Adkins has emerged as a full-fledged icon whose reach spans far beyond the genre’s borders. A multi-award-winning singer and actor who’s scored 40 hit singles on Country radio, the Louisiana native is now nearing the 30th anniversary of his trailblazing debut album Dreamin’ Out Loud—a 1996 LP that delivered his No. 1 “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing” and “Every Light In The House” (a Top 5 entry on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart). With 12 million albums sold to date, the superstar entertainer recently followed his featured spot on Blake Shelton’s Friends & Heroes Tour with his own What Color’s Your Wild Tour (a hot-ticket headline run named for his hard-driving anthem released in early 2025) and is currently on his 30th Anniversary headline run in 2026. A true American legend whose powerhouse catalog includes 14 studio albums, Adkins continues to embody the fiery spirit of traditional Country while moving the genre forward with his ever-evolving sound.

The Happy Together Tour (Aug. 19)

The Happy Together Tour 2026 consists of eight acts: The Association, The Troggs, Chicago Lead Singer 1985-2016 Jason Scheff, Gary Puckett, The Fortunes, Rone Dante of The Archies and The Turtles, The Vogues and The Cowsills.. These artists had their biggest hits in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and brought timeless sounds and songs of that time period. These bands combined have multiple No. 1 hits making this tour an iconic homage to an era of music that has influenced many of today’s artists. The tour has consisted of several different bands and artists throughout the nearly 40 years it has been running.

The Indiana State Fair runs from Aug. 7 through Aug. 23 and is closed on Mondays. Get tickets here.