Alternative Music the Focus August 15 at State Fair

Two of rock’s most notable live bands, 311 and The Offspring, announced they are teaming up for the Never-Ending Summer Tour, a summer tour with special guests Gym Class Heroes. The tour will make a stop at the 2018 Illinois State Fair on Wednesday, August 15.

Billboard.com calls 311 one of the biggest cult bands in America; one that’s had a hold on rock radio for nearly a decade. In 2017, the band released its 12th studio album, Mosaic. Band members say the inspiration behind their lyrics stem from their own lives and what is happening in the world around them. The group is best known for songs such as, “Beautiful Disaster,” “Don’t Stay Home,” “Down,” and “All Mixed Up.”

The Offspring has released eight records and performed thousands of shows across the globe. In the coming weeks, the band will kick off a European tour before returning home to the U.S. to play domestic venues such as the Illinois State Fair. The band is best known for hits such as, “Self Esteem,” “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid,” “Pretty Fly,” and “The Kids Aren’t Alright.”

Opening for 311 and The Offspring on Wednesday, August 15 will be Gym Class Heroes. 

Gym Class Heroes was formed in 1997 when Travie McCoy and Matt McGinley met in their high school gym class. Before long, they formed the rest of the band and put their artistic talents to use. They are best known for their hit songs “Stereo Hearts,” Clothes Off!!,” and “Cupid’s Chokehold.”

Tickets for the concerts listed below will go on sale via Ticketmaster on Saturday, April 14 at 10:00 a.m., and at the Emmerson Building on the state fairgrounds on Monday, April 16. Ticket prices will be as follows:

Friday, August 10:  Boy George and Culture Club with Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey
Tier 3 - $22 / Tier 2 - $27 / Tier 1 - $32 / Track - $32 / VIP - $42

Saturday, August 11:  Halestorm & Mastodon
Tier 3 - $28 / Tier 2 - $33 / Tier 1 - $38 / Track $38 / VIP - $48

Sunday, August 12:  Foreigner with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Tier 3 - $25 / Tier 2 - $30 / Tier 1 - $35 / Track $35 / VIP - $45

Monday, August 13: Dueling Pianos International
Free Concert

Wednesday, August 15:  311 & The Offspring with Gym Class Heroes
Tier 3 - $34 / Tier 2 - $39 / Tier 1 - $44 / Track $44 / VIP - $54

Friday, August 17:  Brett Eldredge
Tier 3 - $29 / Tier 2 - $34 / Tier 1 - $39 / Track $39 / VIP - $49

Sunday, August 19:  Brantley Gilbert
Tier 3 - $35 / Tier 2 - $40 / Tier 1 - $45 / Track $45 / VIP - $55

The Illinois State Fair will once again offer Stage Side Parties for each of the Grandstand concerts. An additional $30 ticket will provide fairgoers access to an exclusive pre-show party that includes a food provided by the Illinois Pork Producers Association, entertainment, giveaways and early entry into the concert. New this year, the fair will provide each stage side ticket holder with a parking pass for that night’s concert if the tickets are purchased prior to July 31st. The Stage Side Party is only available to those who have purchased a concert ticket to attend that night’s concert – BOTH concert & party ticket will be required to enter the party tent. These tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster once tickets go on-sale.

The 2018 Illinois State Fair will run from August 9th – 19th in Springfield.