Who Is Replacing Rod Stewart At The 2026 Minnesota State Fair?

Earlier this month, one of the headliners for this year's Minnesota State Fair Grandstand series canceled their show. This is the second year in a row this has happened.

Last year, Steve Miller cited safety concerns over weather, wildfires, and a variety of factors around the country for canceling his 2025 show. This year, Rod Stewart had a medical procedure that led to him canceling a bunch of tour dates to recover from the procedure.

This left fair organizers again scrambling to figure out what to do with a suddenly open night at the Grandstand.

Last year, the fair wrangled Daryl Hall into performing, making the announcement a few weeks before the fair got going. This year, we're getting our unexpected replacement show announcement less than a week from the start of the fair.

Who is replacing Rod Stewart at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand this year?

Just this morning (Friday, August 21), Minnesota State Fair organizers announced a free Grandstand concert that will get a lot of people excited.

The ever-entertaining cover band Hairball will be the headliner of this now-free night of entertainment on Tuesday, September 1. Joining Hairball will be special guest Slave Raider.

If you aren't familiar with Hairball, they are a talented tribute act that plays music from bands like KISS, Van Halen, Motley Crue, and Queen. Their show is complete with pyrotechnics, costume changes, and lots of energy.

This act packs Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park every summer, among many other places they tour throughout the year.

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Meanwhile, the opening act Slave Raider is a Twin Cities heavy metal band that embraces the glam-rock look and sound of the 1980s.

This show will be free with your ticket to the fair. Seating will be general admission, with the Grandstand opening at 6 pm and the show starting at 7 pm.

Here's a look at the freshly updated 2026 Minnesota State Fair Grandstand lineup:

2026 Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Performers

Here is the schedule of all of the performing acts that will take the Grandstand stage at the Minnesota State Fair in 2026. As more acts are announced, we'll update this schedule.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

Source: Replacement Show Announced For Canceled Minnesota State Fair Rod Stewart Performance