What an incredible 2021 Mississippi Valley Fair! The Grandstand acts this year were amazing. Jason Aldean, LOCASH, Shinedown, Old Dominion, Craig Morgan, and of course, Pitbull. We are less than a year away from Mississippi Valley Fair 2022. We won't know until next year who will take the Grandstand stage next year. But if you could have a say in another pop act like Pitbull come to town, who would it be?

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Let me start by saying that knowing Shawn Loter and the amazing crew at the Mississippi Valley Fair, I know whoever they announce as the grandstand acts for MVF 2022 will be amazing. We know there will be some country artists, but it's super exciting when they surprise us with acts like Pitbull, Nickelback, Shinedown, and other artists and bands that you wouldn't think we come to the Quad Cities.

Pop acts are a little different to book. Pop music means "popular music". While that should mean that majority of people like that music, that isn't necessarily the case. First, let's look at the pop artists who probably won't be making the trip to the MVF.

Pop Artist Who Won't Play MVF

There are several major pop artists we know that won't come here because they ask for way too much money and are just "too big" for the Quad Cities. Let's be honest, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, Post Malone, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Tayor Swift, Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Drake, Katy Perry, or any other top B100 artists aren't coming. If Shawn and the promoters prove us wrong I will LITERALLY stand outside the station for a week in my underwear with a sign announcing all 6 grandstand acts.

I'm not kidding either...

Pop Artist That Can't Fill MVF

We've announced that Nelly, Flo Rida, Ginuwine, and Juvenile are coming to, or close to the Quad Cities. While we are super pumped for those shows(!!!), they wouldn't fill the track and majority of the bleachers like Pitbull did, or any other grandstand act from MVF 2021. Most of those 2000s and early 2010s artists either aren't touring, or they just aren't big enough to bring in an MVF crowd.

Finding The Right Pop Artist/Sounds

Before I tell you who I think would be great to book next year, you also have to think about the right music you want to be blasted on the grandstand stage. Like I mentioned before, pop music is supposed to be popular music. But "pop artist" really span all genres. From rap and hip-hop, to Indie and country, to stereotypical pop songs and straight-up beats. Finding an artist or band that can truly play an hour and 15 minutes to an hour of 30 minutes of straight-up, up-tempo hits that everyone knows and loves can be challenging.

So, who would be able and make sense to take the MVF 2022 grandstand stage?

Pop Artist Perfect For MVF

These pop artists I think that would be perfect for next year's MVF have enough hits to put on one hell of a show. Not too many slow songs (if any) and they are likeable artists that people would love to see. Plus, they could bring in a pretty decent size crowd and wouldn't cost the fair a fortune. If you disagree with me, that's cool. Let me know your opinion in the comments or email me your hate. It's cool!

• Jason Derulo
• Demi Lovato
• Shawn Mendes
• Camila Cabello
• Charlie Puth
• Macklemore

A few artists that I don't think will come but are not totally out of the question include:

• Selena Gomez
• Halsey
• Dua Lipa

Again, just my thoughts. Either way, we are PUMPED for MVF 2022!!

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