It’s a big year at The Big E. The six-state fair located in West Springfield returns for 17 days in September, and it’s going to be packed with food, fun, giant produce and of course, music.
The Big E has plenty of musical acts for free around the festival grounds, including traditional Irish music, honky tonk, and choirs and ensembles. You can even catch some nostalgic faves like Fuel, Lisa Loeb, Pepa from Salt & Pepa, Wang Chung and Chubby Checker on the Court of Honor Stage for the price of regular fair admission. There’s even a Taylor Swift singalong. Check out emerging talent on the E Stage—also free with fair admission—with acts like Hello Sister, King Saison, CATWOLF and Jelly.
But one of the reasons the Big E is worth the hour-drive from Boston is that each year, big-name headliners take the stage at the Big E Arena. Beginning September 13, headlining concerts happen every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30pm. These shows require separate tickets ranging from $39 to $69 that include fair admission for the day of the show. Some acts are already sold out, so if there’s someone you want to see, be sure to snag your tickets ASAP.
Who is performing at the Big E 2024?
September 13: Phil Wickham
Phil Wickham is a Grammy-nominated modern worship singer and author. His contemporary Christian music includes nine studio albums, several Christmas releases and singalong albums.
September 14: Ludacris
Grammy, SAG and VMA award-winning Atlanta rapper and Fast & the Furious star Ludacris will grace The Big E stage with his unique brand of Dirty South rap and 2000s classics like “What’s Your Fantasy,” “Rollout” and “Area Codes.”
September 15: Umphrey’s McGee with Lotus
Umphrey’s McGee is celebrating 25 years together, as well as 14 studio albums and 2,700 live performances. The tech-fueled act is joined by Lotus, a four-piece instrumental band that were early adopters of fusing electronic beats with jam music.
September 20: Dustin Lynch with special guest Dylan Scott
Modern country artist Dustin Lynch headlines The Big E ahead of the release of his sixth studio album, Killed The Cowboy, coming out on September 29. Joining him is Dylan Scott, who you may know from viral TikTok ballad “Can’t Have Mine (Find You A Girl).”
September 21: Diplo with special guest Kito
DJ and producer Diplo has worked with countless artists over his 20-year career, both solo and as part of Major Lazer, Silk City and LSD. He recently revived his country project with the release of Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 — Swamp Savant.
September 22: America
Grammy award-winning classic rock legends America will bring the 70s vibes from their multitude of gold and platinum albums. You can expect to rock out to their hits “A Horse With No Name,” "Sister Golden Hair" and "Lonely People."
September 27: Brothers Osbourne
Brothers Osbourne represent the new face of Nashville, blending progressive with old-school country. Their performance of “Younger Me,” inspired by TJ’s coming out, earned the siblings their first Grammy in 2022. Their most recent release, Break Mine EP, came out in March 2024.
September 28: Public Enemy
Legendary rap group Public Enemy is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Their anti-establishment anthem “Fight The Power” was featured in the classic Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing. They returned in 2020 with their latest release, State of the Union.
September 29: Big Time Rush
Get ready to live out your boy band dreams. Nickelodeon stars Big Time Rush will bring their classic songs like “Boyfriend” and “Worldwide” to The Big E stage, while also offering longtime fans new music, like their 2024 single “Only One.”
