What an incredible 2022 Mississippi Valley Fair! The Grandstand acts this year were amazing. Kid Rock, Carly Pearce, Brantley Gilbert, Dustin Lynch, and of course, Flo Rida and Nelly. We are less than a year away from Mississippi Valley Fair 2023. We won't know for a while who will take the Grandstand stage in 2023, but if you could have a say in another pop act like Nelly and Flo Rida (or Pitbull in 2021) at the Mississippi Valley Fair, who would it be?

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I think I thanked Shawn Loter about 1,000 times backstage on Wednesday, but let me say it again. Thank you to Shawn and the amazing crew at the Mississippi Valley Fair. Once again, they put on 6 incredible days filled with great entertainment on the grandstand stage and throughout the fairgrounds; the vendors were wonderful, and there was just so much fun to be had at MVF 2022. Even with the cancellation of Jimmie Allen on Thursday, they still managed to keep thousands of people happy and entertained that day and after the announcement.

I know whoever they announce as the grandstand acts for MVF 2023 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, Flo Rida, Nelly, and other artists and bands that you wouldn't think would come to the Quad Cities.

Pop acts are a little different when it comes to booking. 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

After Pitbull performed in 2021, we gave you a list like this and in 2022, this list isn't changing much. 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, Harry Styles, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Tayor Swift, Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Drake, Katy Perry, or any other top B100 artists aren't coming. Last year, I said Post Malone wouldn't come but in 2022, I've had a change of heart. We'll get to that in a bit...

Last year, I said 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.

The offer still stands...

Pop Artist That Can't Fill MVF

I goofed in 2021 and said that Nelly and Flo Rida wouldn't be able to do what they did this year. I clearly was wrong and I'm very happy I was.

But other pop acts that I don't think could fill MVF would include newer pop artists like Dove Cameran, Leah Kate, Joji, Em Beihold, Lauren Spencer-Smith, and other newer artists that aren't well known in the QC. A lot of the artists from the 2000s and early 2010s either aren't touring, broke up, were one-hit-wonders, or just aren't big enough to bring in an MVF crowd.

Finding The Right Pop Artist/Sounds

This is always a challenge when it comes to booking a pop act. As I mentioned before, pop music is supposed to be popular music. But "pop artists" 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 and 30 minutes of straight-up, up-tempo hits that everyone knows and loves can be challenging. So far, Pitbull, Flo Rida, and Nelly (even though a lot of you left for some reason) have been great picks and have proven to work at the Mississippi Valley Fair.

So, who would be able and make sense to take the MVF 2023 grandstand stage?

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Pop Artist Perfect For MVF

The following pop artists I think 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 likable 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. If you have better suggestions we would love to hear them. Do you know who might also want to hear your suggestions? The Mississippi Valley Fair!

Here are a few of my suggestions: