Concerts for all tastes at Alameda County Fair
En Vogue, LeAnn Rimes, Blue Oyster Cult top solid lineup
Organizers have put together another impressive lineup of concerts for the Alameda County Fair, which runs Friday to July 8 at the fairgrounds in Pleasanton.
Hard-rockers Blue Oyster Cult, hip-hop legend Sir Mixa-Lot, country great LeAnn Rimes and local R&B heroes En Vogue are among the top names on the bill.
Concerts start at 8 p.m. Unlike at some fairs, these concerts are not included with regular fair admission. See below for concert ticket prices. For the complete schedule and other information, go to www.alamedacountyfair.com.
Here are our picks for the 10 can’t-miss shows at this year’s fair.
BLUE OYSTER CULT >> (Friday) I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for this band, which headlined the first major concert I ever attended, way back when I was in elementary school. The hard-rock group, which is known for such classics as “Godzilla” and “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper,” is likely still worth seeing in 2018 since it still features original members Buck Dharma and Eric Bloom. Tickets: $15-$45 regular; free-$30 season pass holders.
SEAN KINGSTON >> (Saturday) The reggae-fusion artist was just 17 when he burst onto the international stage with his debut single, 2007’s “Beautiful Girls,” which went on to top the charts and earn platinum certification. Tickets: $15-$45 regular; free$30 season pass holders.
EN VOGUE >> (Sunday) It should be quite a scene when Oakland’s own R&Bpop sensation performs such longtime favorites as “Whatta Man,” “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” and “Free Your Mind” for the group’s many local fans. Plus, attendees could get to hear some new material from the newly released “Electric Café,” the group’s first studio album since 2004. Tickets: $15$60 regular; free-$45 season pass holders.
CLAY WALKER >> (Wednesday) Here’s one for the country fans — especially those who spent a lot of
time listening to the radio in the ’90s. Walker released five consecutive gold/platinum albums and multiple top 10 songs (“What’s It to You,” “Live Until I Die,” “If I Could Make a Living,” etc.) during that decade. Tickets: $15-$60 regular; free$45 season pass holders.
SIR MIX-A-LOT >> (June 24) The wildest four minutes of the entire 2018 Alameda County Fair might just be when this hip-hop legend performs “Baby Got Back” in concert. Tickets: $15$45 regular; free-$30 season pass holders. MORRIS DAY AND THE TIME >> (June 27) Get ready to dance as Morris Day and the Time
hit the fair with their classic hits “Jungle Love” and “The Bird,” both of which were featured in Prince’s legendary film “Purple Rain.” This should be one amazing party. Tickets: $15-$45 regular; free-$30 season pass holders.
CON FUNK SHUN >> (June 28) Formed in Vallejo in 1969, the funk-R&B-soul act achieved much success in the ’70s and ’80s, scoring such hits as “Baby I’m Hooked (Right into Your Love),” “Shake and Dance with Me,” “Ffun,” “Chase Me” and “Got to Be Enough.” Tickets: $15$45 regular; free-$30 season pass holders.
(June 30) Here’s
another act that I will always cherish for its place in my musical upbringing. Back in elementary school, I listened to this San Francisco rock band’s 1978 concert album, “What Do You Want From Live,” more times than I can remember. Fee Waybill, who is still in the band, is a vastly underrated artist. Tickets: $15-$45 regular; free-$30 season pass holders.
LEANN RIMES >> (July 5) Plain and simple, Rimes possesses one of the greatest voices in country music history. That was pretty clear from the first time we heard this vocalist, who, at the age of just 13, wowed listeners with her amazing debut song, “Blue,” in 1996. She then went on
to solidify her status in the genre with such singles as “I Need You,” “How Do I Live,” “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” and “One Way Ticket (Because I Can).” Tickets: $15$60 regular; free-$45 season pass holders.
WAR >> (July 8) The fair’s closing night belongs to War, the great rock-funk-Latin-jazzR&B act that has sold more than 50 million records since getting its start in 1969. So come on out and cheer on vocalist Lonnie Jordan as he leads the band known for such classics as “Spill the Wine,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends” and “Low Rider.” Tickets: $15-$45 regular; free-$30 season pass holders.