These Are The Bands That Could Rock The 2025 Mississippi Valley Fair

It was another week of food, drinks, rides, and music at the Mississippi Fair in Davenport, Iowa.  While we have to wait another year for the biggest party of the summer we can already begin to look at who might be in the Quad Cities to rock with us in 2025.

The 2024 Mississippi Valley Fair wasn't necessarily for us, the hard rock unit of the Iowa and Illinois.  And this year, there was some controversy due to some young idiots throwing things on stage.  But overall, it was still a fun week that was 99% positive.

It will be even better if...WHEN...one of these bands rocks the Mississippi Valley Fair in 2025.

Who Won't Be At The 2025 Mississippi Valley Fair

There are some bands that you can take off the list right now.  This first group is the "too big for the fair" list.

• Metallica - They are selling out stadiums at 80,000.  Not playing fairs at 20,000.  But you can still see Metallica...win your tickets to see them in Minneapolis right here!
• Pearl Jam - Again, selling out places like Fenway Park.  Not going to happen.  But you can win tickets to see them at Fenway right here!
• Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chile Peppers, Green Day...again, any band filling up a stadium just take them off your wish list now.

We Want Slipknot!

Yeah...me too.  But don't expect it to get that heavy at the Mississippi Valley Fair.  So you can take out Pantera, Lamb of God, and other metal bands.  They would draw but remember, this is a family-friendly fair.

But don't give up hope of metal at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.  "Grounds" being the keyword there.  Always talking and you never know what kind of big fest could happen at that location for us in the Quad Cities.

Other bands might not be the right fit for the fair just because it's a fair.  Rage Against The Machine, System Of A Down, Muse, Evanescence...I think you get the point on why these types are out.

What Band Could Rock The 2025 Mississippi Valley Fair?

These 9 bands are on my shortlist and in order of odds to rock the 2025 MVF.

Staind

2023 Staind came back and I thought they could be possible for this year's fair. But they went on their own big tour instead and didn't hit up the fair/festival scene.  So in 2025 maybe they'll slow down the touring but still want to get out and play the hits and new songs.  That makes the MVF a great candidate.

Offspring

Now they could go into that block of bands above that just won't play at a fair.  But, they have new music out and 30 years of hits to rock fans from 18-68 years old so don't count it out.

Korn

I've said before Korn would be too heavy to play the fair.  But after recent discussions...I think they need to be added to the list.  There are also rumors of new music coming from them.  And Korn at an Iowa fair filled with corn...the marketing writes itself.

Shinedown

It's been 3 years since they rocked the Mississippi Valley Fair.  So they could already come back.  The only thing working against them is they just played this summer in Clinton.  But they still draw everywhere they go and are a perfect fit for what the fair wants.

Nickelback

Say what you will...they would once again crush at the fair.  The same with...

Creed

The only thing they have against them is they just played the Jones County Fair in 2024.  So probably not...but every person that went to the show said it was awesome.

Halestorm

These last three really are the top three on the possible list.  Halestorm has moved up my list as a possible band to rock the MVF.  They have new music.  They crush in the Midwest and would be a perfect fit.

Five Finger Death Punch

At some point, this will happen and the haters are gonna hate.  But they'll put 20,000 people in there and it will be a great time.  The only thing that would take their odds down would be that they are playing in Des Moines on August 19.  But that is 3 hours away and it's a year later.  So I don't think that matters.  And a reminder...you can win tickets to that show here!

Papa Roach

I thought we were going to have them in 2024.  Reliable sources had it as a done deal.  I was ready to rock with Jacoby who is already in town a lot because his kid goes to school here.  Everything was lined up...but then it didn't happen.

When was the last time you heard that Papa Roach was doing a live show?  Yeah, they took the year off, which is great for them!  They have been working hard for years.  But, they will be back at it soon and we could be getting new music from them in 2025 which means more live shows.  If I was placing odds on all these bands, this would be the best bet.

Who Is Missing From The List?

Didn't talk about bands like Bush, Rob Zombie, Disturbed, and many others that could fit.  I just gave you the top 9 I think could rock the MVF in 2025.  But if you have other ideas, hit me up and I'll get those names to the folks at the MVF.

I know Shawn and the team at the Mississippi Valley Fair are already working on making sure we have at least one night of hard rock.  When they have it ready you'll hear about it from us first!