The Arizona State Fair added a major name to its fall concert schedule Monday: Public Enemy, the politically charged hip-hop group and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, will play a single show at Phoenix’s historic Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Oct. 24.
What to expect at the Coliseum
Doors are scheduled to open at 6 p.m. and music will begin at 7 p.m., the fair announced. Organizers said there will be no opening act; the performance is planned as a one-night-only headliner appearance.
Public Enemy is known for bold, politically driven songs such as "Fight the Power" and the landmark LP It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. The group also has been honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, milestones that helped shape its selection for a marquee fair performance.
Tickets, admission and the concert series
The state fair clarified that purchasing a concert ticket automatically covers fair admission, so buyers won’t need a separate entry pass for the grounds. An exclusive “Fair Fandom” pre-sale opens Thursday at 10 a.m., with general public sales beginning the following day at 10 a.m.
- Artist: Public Enemy
- Venue: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Arizona State Fair
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
- Doors: 6 p.m.; Show: 7 p.m.
- Ticket note: Fair admission included with concert ticket
Where this fits in the fair lineup
The booking adds to a growing list of acts already announced for the fair’s Coliseum Concert Series. Among the previously named performers are Gin Blossoms, Russell Dickerson, Becky G and The Offspring. The series aims to bring a mix of rock, pop and country draws to the downtown fairgrounds as part of the seasonal entertainment schedule.
| Artist | Status |
|---|---|
| Public Enemy | Scheduled — Oct. 24 |
| Gin Blossoms | Previously announced |
| Russell Dickerson | Previously announced |
| Becky G | Previously announced |
| The Offspring | Previously announced |
For Arizonans who follow live music, the Coliseum booking continues a trend of legacy acts appearing at local fairs and arenas rather than large stadium dates. That approach brings national touring artists into more intimate, historic venues and ties big-name shows to community events.
More details about ticket prices and registration are available on the Arizona State Fair website. The fair’s concert calendar is likely to expand further as organizers finalize additional bookings for the season.
