Eric Church, The Chicks lead 2023 Iowa State Fair Grandstand ticket sales
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Country acts Eric Church or The Chicks may not break the records of some of the most attended Iowa State Fair Grandstand concerts, but ticket sales are in line with numbers seen in recent years.
After all, the biggest shows at the fair over the years include Sonny and Cher, who brought out 26,200 people over two shows in 1972, and the Beach Boys, who drew 25,400 in one show three years later.
Country singer Chris Stapleton, who sold 17,320 tickets in 2021, leads the top five single shows at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand in the past five years, according to an email from Mindy Williamson, marketing director of the Iowa State Fair.
Other acts that round out the top five single shows in recent State Fair history are:
Iowa's own heavy metal band Slipknot: 17,032 in 2019
Country singer Blake Shelton: 16,873 in 2021
Country star Thomas Rhett: 15,775 in 2018
County duo Brooks & Dunn: 15,047 in 2022
More: Who's coming to the Iowa State Fair Grandstand in 2023? Here's the concert lineup
This year’s ticket sales so far are “on par” with ticket sales from last year for the Iowa State Fair Grandstand concerts, Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons told the Des Moines Register last week.
Here’s how many tickets each Grandstand act for 2023 has sold so far as of Aug. 3.
More than 15,000 tickets sold
Eric Church
The Church Choir is flocking to the Iowa State Fair. The country star has the most tickets sold so far with 16,500. The singer-songwriter has collected numerous awards and nominations over the past decade. With hits like “Springsteen,” “Drink in My Hand” and “Talladega,” Church has become a recognizable country act both from his music and his signature sunglasses.
When: Aug. 13 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $60-$125
Special guest: Jackson Dean
The Chicks
Formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, the enduring all-female country act is responsible for chart toppers “There’s Your Trouble,” “Wide Open Spaces,” a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” and more during the 1990s and early 2000s. With 12 Grammy Awards and 19 nominations under their collective belt — among other accolades over the years — The Chicks’ upcoming concert has sold 16,300 tickets.
When: Aug. 19 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $60-$125
Special guest: Ben Harper
More than 10,00 tickets sold
Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean has sold 10,500 tickets as the final Grandstand act of the 2023 Iowa State Fair. Aldean is a popular country singer behind songs like “Dirt Road Anthem,” “Big Green Tractor” and the recent, controversial song “Try That In A Small Town,” which garnered criticism for lyrics that some people believe have racist undertones.
When: Aug. 20 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $60-$125
Special guest: Corey Kent
Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges
The hip-hop star Luda is appearing in front of Iowa audiences after a concert last September at the Horizon Events Center. From “What’s Your Fantasy” to “How Low,” the Atlanta rapper has not only had hits across multiple decades, he’s also starred in the “Fast & Furious” movie series with Vin Diesel. Bridges will be joined by “Beautiful Girls” and “Fire Burning” singer and rapper Sean Kingston. His concert has sold 10,200 tickets.
When: Aug. 18 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$55
Special guest: Sean Kingston
New Kids on the Block
The 2020s called, and they want New Kids on the Block. The 1980s boy band of Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Danny Wood and Joey McIntyre will bring “Step by Step” and other hits to the Iowa State Fair. So far, 10,000 tickets have sold for their show.
When: Aug. 12 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $45-$95
Special guest: Jesse McCartney
More than 5,000 tickets sold
For King + Country
Joel and Luke Smallbone are the brothers behind Grammy Award-winning Christian pop act For King + Country, whose story about moving from Australia to America with their family will be told on the big screen next year with the movie “Unsung Hero.” Their concert has sold 8,600 tickets.
When: Aug. 10 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$55
Special guest: We The Kingdom
Jeff Dunham
Comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham brings his “Still Not Canceled” tour to the Iowa State Fair. With 6,800 tickets sold, Dunham brings Walter, Peanut and other friends to the stage for an evening of humor.
When: Aug. 15 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$65
Special guest: N/A
Tyler Hubbard
The Florida Georgia Line songwriter who has gone solo sold 6,400 tickets as of last week. Tyler Hubbard of hits “5 Foot 9” and “Dancin’ In The Country” recently spoke to the Register about his self-titled album and performing separate from the Grammy Award-nominated act that was led by him and Brian Kelley.
When: Aug. 11 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$55
Special guest: Parmalee
Maren Morris
Maren Morris is a Texas native whose songs “My Church” and “80s Mercedes” in the mid-2010s launched her into the mainstream after years of performing. The Grammy Award winner and singer-songwriter, who has previously made her way to Iowa at the Des Moines Water Works Park, makes her Iowa State Fair debut this year. Morris’ show has sold 5,800 tickets.
When: Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$60
Special guest: Lindsay Eli
The Black Keys
The Grammy Award-winning band from Ohio has sold 5,500 tickets. The Black Keys albums “Brothers” and “El Camino” in the early 2010s catapulted the indie, blues-rock band into mainstream success with hits like “Lonely Boy” and “Gold on the Ceiling.”
When: Aug. 14 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $60-$125
Special guest: The Velveteers
Lindsey Stirling
With more than 13 million subscribers on YouTube, violinist and dancer Lindsey Stirling has been releasing videos of original music, covers and collaborations for more than a decade. Stirling got her start on “America’s Got Talent.” Her concert has sold 5,500 tickets so far.
When: Aug. 16 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$55
Special guest: Walk Off The Earth
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 2023 Iowa State Fair concerts' ticket sales
