NYS Fair concert guide: The Roots replace Third Eye Blind (Thursday, Sept. 2)

Welcome to our daily New York State Fair concert guide! We’ll be publishing a list of performers and showtimes every day of the 2021 NYS Fair on syracuse.com.

The Chevy Park stage, where this year’s bigger Fair concerts will take place, is located in the New York Experience area on the west end of the fairgrounds, near the Midway. Chevy Court will generally host the smaller concerts during the Fair, a change from previous Covid-based plans to host all concerts on the Chevy Park stage (formerly known as the New York Experience stage).

• Where is Chevy Park? How to find the new NYS Fair concert stage

No tickets are required for concerts. All NYS Fair shows are free with admission to the Fair, which is $3 this year; admission is also free for anyone 65 and older or kids under 12 every day.

Here’s what to expect for music on Thursday, Sept. 2:

Brownskin Band — 2 p.m. at Chevy Park

The group has been performing soul, funk and R&B music in Syracuse for nearly 15 years.

The Roots — 8 p.m. at Chevy Park

Third Eye Blind canceled its scheduled performance, so the NYS Fair will fill 3EB’s slot with a hip-hop party. Led by drummer Questlove and rapper Black Thought, The Roots are best known today as Jimmy Fallon’s house band on “The Tonight Show,” but they have been a phenomenal live group for decades.

BeatleCUSE — 2 p.m. at Chevy Court

Local musician Paul Davie is getting with a little help from his friends for a tribute to The Beatles.

Starship featuring Mickey Thomas — 7 p.m. at Chevy Court

It’s the first time in 10 years that Starship has come to the Great New York State Fair. The band, which initially formed as a continuation of Jefferson Starship (previously a Jefferson Airplane spinoff), is best known for ‘80s rock hits like “Sara,” “We Built This City,” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”

ALSO:

Faz Tha God - 3:30 p.m. at Pan-African Village

Slick Fashionz - 5:30 p.m. at Pan-African Village

King Lo - 7:30 p.m. at Pan-African Village

Other music performers on the fairgrounds include Bandaloni The One Man Band (along Restaurant Row) and The Strolling Piano. The Iroquois Indian Village will also feature traditional Native American dances daily at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., the West End II Bar & Grille hosts concerts by local musicians, and the Latino Village will feature a variety of Latinx performers Sept. 3-6.

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Covid-19 guidelines: There are currently no restrictions for concerts; masks are not required, and no proof of vaccination is required to enter the Fair. Masks are required indoors at all NYS Fair buildings, per Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, but both Chevy Park and Chevy Court are outdoor venues. (That being said, Onondaga County is currently seeing a “high” rate of Covid transmission and you may still want a face covering for the more crowded concerts where social distancing is not possible.)

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Concert rules: The NYS Fair website outlines its policy for events at Chevy Park or Chevy Court.

• Smoking/vaping is not permitted within the grassy areas of Chevy Park or Chevy Court.
• No standing on benches or tables.
• No sitting on shoulders of another.
• Aisles must be kept clear of people, strollers, wheelchairs, scooters, etc.
• Seats may not be “saved” for others. In the event of personal necessity, an individual may hold up to 2 additional seats for a limited time.
• Unattended personal items, such as blankets, clothing, coolers, bags, etc., that are intended to save seats will be collected and held for return to the Fairgoer.
• Wheelchair and limited-mobility seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each wheelchair and limited-mobility seat is allowed 2 companion seats. Companions seated in the wheelchair section must remain seated.
• Vision and Hearing Impaired seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each Vision and Hearing Impaired patron is allowed 1 companion seat. Companions seated in the Vision and Hearing Impaired section must remain seated.
• No professional cameras or professional recording devices allowed.
• No umbrellas while the show is underway.

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FULL 2021 NYS FAIR CONCERT SCHEDULE:

2021 NYS Fair Chevy Park concert lineup

• Dark Hollow — Friday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m.
• AJR — Friday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m.
• Cold War Kids — Saturday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m.
• YG — Saturday, Sept. 4 at 8 p.m.
• Jesse McCartney — Sunday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m.
• Sleepy Hallow — Sunday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. (no Sheff G)
• Joan Jett & The Blackhearts — Monday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m.
• Cheap Trick — Monday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m.

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2021 NYS Fair Chevy Court concert lineup

• Uncle Kracker — Friday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m.
• Blues Traveler — Friday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.
• Syracuse JAMS FunkFest — Saturday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m.
• Stone City Band & Mary Jane Girls — Saturday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.
• The Mavericks En Español — Sunday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. (Spanish language-only show)
• The Mavericks — Sunday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
• The Ripcords — Monday, Sept. 6 at 12 p.m.
• Resurrection: A Journey Tribute — Monday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m.

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