Ludacris, Foreigner among intriguing acts headlining Missouri State Fair concerts

Before a slew of Missouri State Fair concerts begins, when the fair runs Aug. 8-18 in Sedalia, a presumptive best of show has already emerged. Barring an act of God or something bizarre, the Aug. 10 Goo Goo Dolls-The Fray double bill should be this year's blue-ribbon affair.

But this lineup of live music at the fair is stronger than years past. At least three other shows have asserted themselves as must-sees — or at least musts for fans of the given artist and sound. Here are the next best three shows on tap.

Aug. 8: Foreigner and Maggie Rose

True jukebox heroes and newly-minted Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Foreigner are — theoretically — waving goodbye to Missouri with this date and and an October appearance in Camdenton. This is supposed to be the band's farewell tour, though farewell tours can be an unpredictable business.

Guitarist Mick Jones remains the band's lone remaining founding member, though he rarely tours. Still, members of the current Foreigner lineup own, in some cases, as much as 20 years delivering the band's catalog.

Singer-songwriter Maggie Rose, whose most recent record "No One Gets Out Alive" dropped in April, shares the bill. Tickets are $50-$60.

More: New Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Foreigner will bid farewell to Missouri this summer

Aug. 9: Warren Zeiders and Wyatt Flores

A former college lacrosse player, Zeiders rode a serious TikTok following into last year's debut record, "Pretty Little Poison," and the smash title track. AllMusic has dubbed him "a flinty singer who has a foot planted in outlaw country (and) specializes in stripped-down country with a slightly haunted edge." When Zeiders plays Sedalia, he'll be just days away from the release of his sophomore record, "Relapse."

Opener Wyatt Flores is a promising talent who filters rock, country and bluegrass elements through the heart of his Oklahoma upbringing. Flores' rendering of another state fair act's big hit — The Fray's "How to Save a Life" — shows off his skills as an interpreter of song. Tickets are $45-$55.

Aug. 16: Ludacris and Dax

One of the true kings of turn-of-the-21st-century hip-hop, Ludacris keeps shaping the culture around him in a variety of ways: through the occasional single, Super Bowl halftime show appearances, regular acting gigs and the recent "Fast Food Remix" music/cooking video hybrid.

He'll be joined in Missouri by Nigerian-Canadian artist Dax, who has enjoyed time on the charts with cuts like "Dear Alcohol" and "To Be a Man." Dax has collaborated with Darius Rucker and Kansas City hero Tech N9ne, among others. Tickets are $50-$60.

Visit https://www.mostatefair.com/locations/state-fair-grandstand/ to see the full lineup of this year's grandstand concerts.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at [email protected] or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Beyond Goo Goo Dolls, 3 more must-see Missouri State Fair concerts