Matthew West, (Nebraska State Fair, Courtesy)
Christian, comedy, classic rock and some of the most famous songs ever performed will fill the Heartland Events Center during the 2025 Nebraska State Fair’s Nebraska Lottery Concert Series indoor shows.
The 2025 indoor lineup includes: Christian star Matthew West with special guest Josiah Queen; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group The Righteous Brothers; comedian Brian Regan; and classic rockers The Marshall Tucker Band.
“The Nebraska Lottery Concert Series always strives to have something for everyone,” said Jaime Parr, Executive Director of the Nebraska State Fair. “This year’s lineup certainly checks that box.”
Four additional outside shows will be announced Wednesday. PRE-SALE tickets will be available to buy online Friday, for all State Fair Fan Club Members. Tickets for all concerts go on sale to the public Monday, March 24, at www.statefair.org, or at the Nebraska State Fair box office. All concert tickets include State Fair gate admission.
Opening the series is Matthew West with special guest Josiah Queen, Sunday, August 24.
Matthew West is the reigning KLOVE Artist of the Year, and over the course of his two-decade career, the Emmy-nominated songwriter has also earned accolades from Billboard magazine, the Gospel Music Association and the American Music Awards. As an artist and songwriter, he’s scored 25 No. 1 hits. A five-time GRAMMY Award nominee, West was the 2022 NSAI Songwriter-Artist of the Year. Also in 2022, he won his fifth ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year award and earned Song of the Year for “My Jesus,” which he co-wrote with Anne Wilson and Jeff Pardo. Over the years, he’s populated Christian radio with such potent hits as “You Are Everything,” “The Motions,” “Strong Enough” and “Hello My Name Is.” In addition to his own hits, he’s written songs for Casting Crowns, Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Michael W. Smith, Mandisa, Danny Gokey, Amy Grant and others.
Josiah Queen stands as a testament to the power of dedication and the resonance of a harmonious melody, with a global audience reaching 300 million streams. His first hit, “I am Barabbas,” found its way to over 2 million views on Tik Tok and into Billboard’s Top 50 Hottest Christian Songs. Since then, he’s released several more songs, a full-length album and his biggest song to date, “The Prodigal,” which was named one of Apple Music’s Top 100 songs of 2023 and hit the Top 10 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart. His debut album was No. 1 on Billboard Christian Album Chart, making it the biggest debut ever in Christian music. Queen was named Billboard’s 2024 No. 1 New Artist in Christian Music, and he has earned several Billboard Music Awards, Dove Award and KLOVE Fan Awards nominations.
“Last year’s Christian show was a huge success inside the Heartland Events Center, and we’re sure this year will match it,” Parr said.
Reserved tickets for Matthew West with special guest Josiah Queen range from $35-$62. Advanced tickets include gate admission.
The annual Older Nebraskans Day concert welcomes The Righteous Brothers on Monday, August 25.
Blue-eyed soul pioneers The Righteous Brothers are back. With a string of No. 1 classics, including the most played song in radio history, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield topped the charts in four decades. After Bobby’s death in 2003, Medley continued to perform to sold-out crowds around the world, but fans and friends pleaded with him to keep The Righteous Brothers alive. The Bill Medley/Bucky Heard pairing came as something of a happy accident. Medley says it just seemed right. “He fits The Righteous Brothers live performance show perfectly. We’ve even recorded some new material together.”
The Righteous Brothers concert experience features a string of their biggest No. 1 hits, including “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” (the most played song in radio history), “Soul & Inspiration,” “Unchained Melody,” “Rock and Roll Heaven,” Medley’s Grammy-winning “Dirty Dancing” theme “The Time of My Life,” and much more.
“It’s not often you get a chance to hear Hall of Famers singing such major hits like this,” Parr said. “We are thrilled to have The Righteous Brothers on Older Nebraskans Day.”
Reserved tickets for The Righteous Brothers are $27. Advanced tickets include gate admission.
The State Fair is bringing comedy inside once again, as Brian Regan takes the stage Tuesday, August 26.
Critics, fans and fellow comedians agree: Brian Regan is one of the most respected comedians in the country with Vanity Fair calling him the “funniest stand-up alive,” and Entertainment Weekly calling him, “your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian.” Having built his 30-plus year career on the strength of his material alone, Brian’s non-stop theater tour continuously fills the most beautiful venues across North America, visiting close to 100 cities each year.
Regan is a frequent guest on late night talk shows, including as a regular on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” and has made 28 appearances on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Fans will recognize Regan from the Amazon Prime TV series “Loudermilk,” as well as his two Netflix stand-up specials, “On the Rocks” and “Nunchucks and Flamethrowers.” He also stars in his own Netflix series, “Stand Up and Away! With Brian Regan,” executive produced by Regan and Jerry Seinfeld.
“Fans have long asked for a comedian back inside the Heartland Events Center,” Parr said. “And Brian Regan is a hilarious, family-friendly choice to lead the way.”
Reserved tickets for Brian Regan range from $51-$78. Advanced tickets include gate admission.
The Marshall Tucker Band, presented by Spirit in the Sky Productions and the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation, brings classic rock to the State Fair stage Wednesday, August 27.
Hailing from Spartanburg, South Carolina, The Marshall Tucker Band still plays between 150 and 200 shows per year. MTB’s founder and original lead singer, Doug Gray has led the band for over 50 years singing their many hits, including: “Can’t You See,” “Heard It In A Love Song,” “Fire On The Mountain,” “Ramblin,” “Take The Highway,” and many more.
“Our partnership with Jay Vavricek’s Spirit in the Sky Productions has offered yet another musical genre to our diverse concert line-up,” Parr said.
The Marshall Tucker Band show is also sponsored by Tom Dinsdale Automotive, Galloway Financial Advisors, Nebraska Pizza Huts and Middleton Electric in cooperation with Partnership Marketing and GI Family Radio.
“The 1868 Foundation through our generous member support has been honored to join other community-minded sponsors to bring additional entertainment to the Nebraska State Fair,” said Lindsey Koepke, executive director of the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation. “It’s a partnership that allows us to book first rate entertainment at an affordable price for fairgoers across the state.”
Reserved tickets for The Marshall Tucker Band are $43. Advanced tickets include gate admission.
New in 2025: The Nebraska State Fair is utilizing all-in pricing where the advertised price is inclusive of taxes and facility fees. Pricing varies based on Etix service fees charged for online orders.
The 2025 Nebraska State Fair offers all fairgoers the chance to Showcase Your Fair Face, August 22 through September 1 at Fonner Park in Grand Island. The fair has drawn more than 4 million visitors to its home in Grand Island since 2010. More information about agricultural events and competitions, carnival entertainment, and other musical performances is available at www.StateFair.org.
