Here are concert picks for each of the 12 days of the State Fair. Entry to all performances requires separate fair admission (etix.com or 800-514-3849).

Becky G

After signing with Dr. Luke's Kemosabe label, she launched her career by reimaging a J. Lo hit as "Becky on the Block." Now with three Spanish-language albums to her credit, the native of Inglewood, Calif., has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Latin music including J Balvin, Pitbull, Bad Bunny, Karol G, Anitta and Peso Pluma as well as African stars Burna Boy and Tyla. Plus, G has elevated her profile by appearing in the film "Good Mourning," serving as a judge on "RuPaul's Drag Race" and singing the Oscar-nominated song "The Fire Inside" from "Flamin' Hot." Los Aptos open. (7 p.m. Aug. 22, grandstand, $44-$88, etix.com)JON BREAM

Chance the Rapper

While fans wait for the esteemed Chicago MC's overdue sophomore album (he grabbed the Grammy for best new artist back in 2017), he's kept up his visibility. He's been a coach on NBC's "The Voice" and the host of the rebooted TV program "Punk'd" as well as a political and social activist. In the past three years, he's dropped several singles including "Buried Alive" in April about his divorce and split from his manager, with promises of that new album, "Star Line." (7 p.m. Aug. 23, grandstand, $48-$148, etix.com) JON BREAM

Maggie Rose

Rose unleashed an undeniable soulfulness when she opened for young blues sensation Christone "Kingfish" Ingram at the State Theatre in 2021. After moving from Maryland to Nashville as a teenager, she has tried her luck at country music, singing on the Grand Ole Opry and getting noticed by SiriusXM programmers and Rolling Stone writers. A few years ago, Rose transitioned into more of a Southern soul sound, as evidenced on this year's "No One Gets Out Alive," featuring the sassy "Underestimate Me" and the feisty "Dead Weight." (8:30 p.m. Aug. 24-25, Leinie Lodge Bandshell, free) JON BREAM

Blake Shelton

He retired from "The Voice" after a fruitful, career-boosting run, but he's still active in country music and elsewhere. He showed up in July to duet with Gwen Stefani, his wife, on the new "Purple Irises" at the Minnesota Yacht Club fest in St. Paul. In concert, the quick-witted Oklahoman invariably wins over crowds with his personality and parade of hits, including "Honey Bee," "God's Country" and "Drink on It." Emily Ann Roberts opens. (7 p.m. Aug. 25, grandstand, $77-$207, etix.com)JON BREAM

The War and Treaty

They're a little bit country and a little bit rock 'n' soul. The exhilarating, Michigan-reared, Nashville-based duo comes across like the Mike and Tanya Trotter Revue — a modern-day, Southern-fried, gospel-infused funk-rock update of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. Except Michael and Tanya clearly love each other big time. The War and Treaty have won Americana Music Awards (including best new artist), entertained on various country awards shows and backed up Zach Bryan on the single "Hey Driver." (8:30 p.m. Aug. 26-27, Leinie Lodge Bandshell, free) JON BREAM

Keeley Parenteau
Chance the Rapper sails toward the State Fair.

Ludacris and T-Pain

It's Throwback Tuesday, with Dirty South rapper Ludacris, aka "Fast & Furious" actor Christopher Bridges, throwing down "Money Maker" and "Act a Fool" as well as his collabs with Usher, Fergie and Justin Bieber. Luda was last seen locally opening for Janet Jackson in 2023, and you'll recall that he made a cameo with Usher at this year's Super Bowl halftime. T-Pain, the king of Auto-Tune, charmed after a Minnesota Twins game last summer with "Take Your Shirt Off" and "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')." (7 p.m. Aug. 27, grandstand, $44-$88, etix.com)JON BREAM

Jon Pardi

Beloved in Minnesota since his first single, "Missin' You Crazy," the traditionalist with a flair for modern hooks has chalked up six No. 1 Nashville hits. He became the first native Californian inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, where he sang "Heartache Medication" and "Head Over Boots" when his hero, Garth Brooks, presented him in October. MacKenzie Porter opens. (7 p.m. Aug. 28, grandstand, $44 to $71, etix.com)JON BREAM

Motley Crue

They're back. Again. Without Mick Mars, the guitarist who provided essential hot licks in their 20th-century hair-metal sound. Vince Neil's voice has been unreliable for years, but Tommy Lee will bring it with his gyroscopic drum kit, and Nikki Sixx with his flame-throwing bass, so aging headbangers can wail along to "Dr. Feelgood" and "Girls, Girls, Girls." In April, the Crue dropped the single "Dogs of War," their first new song in five years and first recording with new guitarist John 5, now an official band member. (7 p.m. Aug. 29, grandstand, $77-$207, etix.com)JON BREAM

Matchbox Twenty

Starting in 1997, Rob Thomas and crew had a nice 10-year run from "Push" and "3AM" to "Unwell" and "How Far We've Come." Last year, the veteran pop/rock group released "Where the Light Goes," their first album in 11 years. The record — and the appearance of "Push" in the "Barbie" film — led to last year's North American Slow Dream Tour. This summer, MB20 is doing a handful of festival and fair shows. Beauty School Dropout opens. (7 p.m. Aug. 30, grandstand, $67-$134, etix.com) JON BREAM

Stephen Sanchez

Sounding like the long-lost son of Roy Orbison and Patsy Cline, this 21-year-old has become a heartthrob with his retro-embracing pop originals. After scoring the hit single "Until I Found You," the Elton John-endorsed newcomer delivered a knockout conceptual debut album in 2023, "Angel Face," detailing the dramatic love triangle between a nightclub singer, his gal and a mobster in the 1950s. Last year at First Avenue in Minneapolis, the Sacramento-reared smoothie had young women swooning to his early-Elvis-like moves and charisma. Suave must be Stephen Sanchez's middle name. (7 p.m. Aug. 31, grandstand, $34-$68, etix.com)JON BREAM

Laamar

North Minneapolis native Geoffrey Lamar Wilson cut his teeth playing folk music in New York and then returned home to become one of the Twin Cities' most buzzed-about singer-songwriters, earning opening gigs with Semisonic and Cactus Blossoms and a slot on First Ave's Best New Bands showcase. He channeled racial tensions in moving ways via a sweet and warm blend of Americana music influences on his 2023 debut EP, "Flowers," and now he and his band are out playing more emotional new material. (4, 5 & 6 p.m. Sept. 1-2, Schell's Stage, free) CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

Semisonic

Best known for the enduring 1998 barroom anthem "Closing Time," this reunited Minneapolis-launched pop trio regained momentum with the 2020 EP "You Are Not Alone" — their first new material in 19 years — followed by last year's full-length, "Little Bit of Sun," which proved that Grammy-winning frontman and principal songwriter Dan Wilson hasn't lost his flair for gleaming, sunny pop. How appropriate that Semisonic shows up for closing time at the fair. (7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 and 2, Leinie Lodge Bandshell, free) JON BREAM