Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Menconi's latest book, "Oh, Didn't They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music," was published in the fall of 2023 by University of North Carolina Press. His podcast, Carolina Calling, explores the history of the Tar Heel State through music.

The Homegrown Music Fest will return for the 10th time at the 2024 N.C. State Fair, with more than 40 acts putting on 100-plus performances during the event's 11-day run. Live entertainment is scheduled on two different stages every day of the 2024 N.C. State Fair, taking place Oct. 17-27 in Raleigh, N.C.

All performances are free to attend with paid gate admission. Tickets are $13 per person for adults (free for children ages 5 and under), with discounts available for youths, seniors and advance purchases.

“As usual, we’re proud of the diverse array of genres, and also performers from various corners of the state,” says John Booker, talent buyer for Homegrown Music Fest producer Deep South Entertainment. “We strive to represent the coast, Appalachia and everything in between.”

Among the highlights for 2024 are XOXOK (Keenan Jenkins), who plays soulful pop/r&b. on Oct. 19; well-traveled Backsliders front man Chip Robinson on Oct. 21; “Call It What You Want, a Tay-Tay Dance Party” on Oct. 18 (featuring a deejay spinning the music of pop star Taylor Swift); youth ensemble Notasium on Oct. 27; and, at the other end of the age spectrum, the long-running Nomads Band will mark 60 years of existence on Oct. 24. In fact, The Nomads Band’s first-ever show was at the N.C. State Fair way back in 1964.

The 2024 stage setup reprises last year’s model, with the Curtis Media Live & Local Waterfall Stage situated on the north side of Dorton Arena (near gate 7 entrance). Near the pond alongside Youth Center Rd. at the northwest end of the fairgrounds (near gate 3), you’ll find the N.C. State Fair Pitzer Heritage Circle Stage.

Note: See a map of the N.C. State Fair here.

Dorton Arena used to be a state fair music venue, too, for bigger acts like Corrosion of Conformity and Clay Aiken. There’s been talk over the years about bringing it back into the rotation again, but for now it’s again hosting the Got to Be NC Agriculture Pavilion with North Carolina products, a cooking demo stage and the North Carolina Public House.

The Heritage Circle stage schedule trends toward Americana-leaning acts, although not exclusively (that’s where XOXOK is). The Waterfall Stage’s lineup is pretty much anything goes, including the dance parties and Military Day on Oct. 23.

The N.C. State Fair opens Thurs., Oct. 17 and runs through Sun., Oct. 27. You can find a complete schedule of events for each day of the fair here.

Live and Local Waterfall Music Stage powered by Curtis Media Group*

• Thurs., Oct. 17: Kyle Mullins (country-folk), Nicholas Vernon (country) (12:30-8pm)
• Fri., Oct. 18: Waking April (synth pop); “Get Sad Y’all, Emo Dance Party”; “Call It What You Want, a Tay-Tay Dance Party” (11 a.m.-8pm)
• Sat., Oct. 19: Dwayne Jordan Quartet (jazz), Miss Mini & the Sandman Band (r&b) (11am-8pm)
• Sun, Oct. 20: Travis “Big T” Russell (country/Americana), Throwback Collaboration Band (r&b) (11am-8pm)
• Mon., Oct. 21: Chip Robinson (rock), Zobury (Latin pop/rock) (11am-8pm)
• Tues., Oct. 22: Band of Oz (beach), Wagstaff Road (country) (9:30am-8pm)
• Wed., Oct. 23: Military Appreciation Day (10:45am-8pm)
• Thurs., Oct. 24: Wake Moody (pop/rock/r&b), The Nomads Band (beach) (11am-8pm)
• Fri., Oct. 25: 22 Strings (covers), Unlimited 7 band (dance-floor hits) (11am-8pm)
• Sat., Oct. 26: Dani Kerr (rock/blues), Runaway Cab (rock), The Hourglass Kids (reggae) (11am-8pm)
• Sun., Oct. 27: Notasium Showcase (youth band), Carrie Marshall (jazz/blues), Jason Adamo Band (rock/pop) (11am-8pm)

^{*Brad Comedy Hypnosis Show at 8pm each night}

N.C. State Fair Pitzer Heritage Circle Stage

• Thurs., Oct. 17: Autumn Nicholas (singer-songwriter) (1-6:30pm)
• Fri., Oct. 18: Garland Mason (acoustic pop), Charly Lowry (Americana) (10am-8pm)
• Sat., Oct. 19: XOXOK (pop/r&b), Boone & Church (bluegrass gospel) (10am-8pm)
• Sun, Oct. 20: Ryan Mullaney (singer-songwriter), Pickard Mountain (bluegrass) (10am-8pm)
• Mon., Oct. 21: Morgan Creek Bluegrass (bluegrass) (11am-7pm)
• Tues., Oct. 22: Chandler James (country) (11am-7pm)
• Wed., Oct. 23: Ben James (singer-songwriter) (11am-7pm)
• Thurs., Oct. 24: Stuart Spence & Shebish (old-time) (11am-7pm)
• Fri., Oct. 25: Emily Musolino (soul), Velvet Rodeo (country) (10am-8pm)
• Sat., Oct. 26: Jarrett Raymond (singer-songwriter), Sweet Potato Pie (bluegrass) (10am-8pm)
• Sun., Oct. 27: Zack King (country), Bluegrass & Beyond (bluegrass) (10am-8pm)

^{Header photo by Justin Kase Conder}