What Pop Performer Should Play At Mississippi Valley Fair?

Mississippi Valley Fair 2026 is in the books, so let's look ahead to next year!

We know most of MVF's grandstand acts are country or country-adjacent artists. This year, we had country/pop crossover Jessie Murph and Stella Lefty.

But in years past, we've had Pitbull, Lil Jon, TLC, Nelly, and the pop/rap artists you've heard on B100.

So it begs the question: if you're not into country, what performer would get you out to the grandstand one night of the fair?

We've made a list of possible millennial/old school favorites we think could bring it at MVF. Scroll down to see which ones we think should play the grandstand in 2027 and tell us who you would like to see at MVF 2027!

And remember, it's a fair. We know there's going to be more country acts than any other genre. But Shawn has said he'd like to do 3 country nights, 1 pop, 1 classic rock, 1 rock. Some bands, while they would for sure fit, are just harder to book than others.

Who Could Bring It On The Mississippi Valley Fair 2027 Grandstand

Ne-Yo & Akon

This was actually my hairdresser's idea but it fits. Ne-Yo (the man behind "Closer", "Miss Independent", and "So Sick") is currently on tour with Akon (were you a millennial if you didn't scream "Smack That"?). Ne-Yo's latest country-inspired album Highway 79 just dropped in June.

Eminem

The Real Slim Shady's touring days are over but he often still performs at festivals and halftime shows.

50 Cent

It may be a bit of a stretch to get the king of shawty's birthdays to the Mississippi Valley Fair, but 50 Cent has been spotted playing carnival games at the Iowa State Fair in recent years.

Smash Mouth

Smash Mouth may play MVF in addition to another artist, but the band has already played in Davenport before. They performed a free concert at the Holiday Train when it was downtown.

Shaggy

Mr. Boombastic himself, reggae artist Shaggy behind "It Wasn't Me" and "Angel" has played multiple festivals and fairs across the Midwest, including the Illinois State Fair alongside TLC.

Fall Out Boy

Not really hard enough to qualify for the rock night, Fall Out Boy was instrumental in the emo-rock-thats-kind-of-turned-into-pop genre. Like Shaggy, they performed at the Illinois State Fair and they've also been to the Minnesota State Fair.

Those are just some suggestions. Tell us below what artist you think should play MVF in 2027!