The Indiana State Fair recently released the second and third waves of concert announcements for this year’s version of the annual festivities. 

Guaranteed to be the best concert value of the summer because they are free with a paid fair admission, the lineup now includes Samantha Fish on July 29, Styx on Aug. 4, Quiet Riot on Aug. 5, Three Dog Night on Aug. 9, Gin Blossoms on Aug. 11, Skillet on Aug. 13, the Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett, The Vogues, The Classics IV, and The Cowsills on Aug. 16, and CeCe Winans on Aug. 20. 

The fair previously announced Clint Black as the first act to play on the Hoosier Lottery Stage on July 28, as well as Keith Sweat on Aug. 2 and TobyMac on Aug. 6.

Things get Heavy in Chicago

Heavy Chicago is a new metal festival taking place at Avondale Music Hall in Chicago over two weekends, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4-5. 

The first night will be headlined by hometown heroes and cult doom legends Trouble, who will play their first show after a five-year hiatus. They’ll be joined on the bill by Acid King, Bongzilla, and Chicago locals Novembers Doom

The festival picks up a week later on Saturday, Nov. 4, with stoner metal kings Corrosion of Conformity headlining a bill including Nebula and The Crosses featuring Die Kreuzen singer Dan Kubinski (playing an “all Die Kreuzen” set). 

The final evening is perhaps the most stacked, with D.R.I. performing the entire Crossover LP and Repulsion making their only live appearance of 2023. 

Chicago-based acts Macabre and The Suffering round out that day.

Americana artist adds shows

One-man act Shakey Graves, whose real name is Alejandro Rose-Garcia, announced he will remain on the road this fall with the 34-date Movie of the Week Tour.

Following a one-month break from summer shows, the Americana musician will head back out on the road. He’ll be stopping by Agora Theatre in Cleveland on Nov. 16 and The Salt Shed in Chicago on Nov. 17 before finishing the tour at Old National Centre in Indianapolis on Nov. 19. 

Rayland Baxter will open the shows.

Live Nation making changes

Have you ever been surprised with ticket fees, handling charges, convenience fees, and extra fees based on all the fees you have already paid? 

A step toward eliminating those surprises will come when Live Nation transitions to an all-in ticketing system for events at its venues and festivals. 

The transition should be complete by September. 

In addition, Live Nation-owned Ticketmaster will offer an all-in option for all other tickets sold on the platform. 

In essence, the move will allow consumers to see the total cost of a ticket up front. 

The news comes in response to a Justice Department investigation of Ticketmaster for possible antitrust violations. 

SeatGeek, another ticketing agency, says it will follow suit and roll out all-in features throughout the summer.

Road Notes covers concerts within driving distance of Northeast Indiana. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.