First wave of Hoosier Lottery Free Stage concerts for 2025 as part of its “Soundtrack of Summer”

The Indiana State Fair unveiled the first full wave of its 2025 list of scheduled concerts as a part of the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage schedule, August 1-17.

The Hoosier Lottery Free Stage has become a summertime staple for concert goers and music lovers. The lineup each year consists of some of music’s most legendary and diverse acts and this year is no exception.

All shows at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage are free with paid fair admission and seating is first-come, first-served. All shows start at 7:30 p.m., unless noted otherwise. Discount tickets can be purchased for the 2025 Indiana State Fair today at indianastatefair.com/.

The first wave of concerts for the 2025 Hoosier Lottery Free Stage at the Indiana State Fair include:

●    Three Dog Night - Friday, August 1 - opening day 
●    Disney Throwback DJ Night - Saturday, August 2
●    Babyface - Wednesday, August 6
●    Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers - Friday, August 8
●    Melissa Etheridge - Friday, August 15

As title sponsor of the Free Stage, the Hoosier Lottery is inviting fairgoers 18 or older to enter the free myLOTTERY Indiana State Fair $35,000 Giveaway. Six winners will receive six State Fair tickets, a parking pass, $300 in Fair Bucks, the opportunity to take in a concert at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage, and a Hoosier Lottery Prize Pack. Plus, in recognition of the Hoosier Lottery’s 35th Anniversary, one Grand Prize winner will participate in a live promotion on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage for a chance to win up to $35,000! Enter by signing up to become a myLOTTERY member or confirming your existing account at HoosierLottery.com/StateFair by July 3, 2025. Promotional odds are dependent upon the number of entries received. 

Sarah M. Taylor, executive director of the Hoosier Lottery, noted, “The Hoosier Lottery has enjoyed a great relationship with the Indiana State Fair for many years. We are proud to sponsor the popular Hoosier Lottery Free Stage again this year where fairgoers can enjoy the “Soundtrack of Summer”, providing summertime value and entertainment. The Hoosier Lottery Free Stage has become a ‘winning ticket’ for all music lovers. Additionally, fairgoers 18 or older can sign up for a free myLOTTERY promotion for the chance to win an all-inclusive day at the Fair including the opportunity for free fair tickets and other prizes.”

There is a limited amount of reserved viewing area tickets available now for the concerts. The 2025 Indiana State Fair is scheduled to open on Friday, August 1 and runs through August 17, when you can enjoy The Greatest 15 Days of Summer at this iconic Hoosier tradition. For more information, please visit IndianaStatefair.com or follow the Indiana State Fair on Facebook, Instagram and X. The Indiana State Fair will be highlighted by its 2025 theme "Soundtrack of Summer," presented by Get Prepared Indiana.

2025 Artist Bios:

Three Dog Night
This legendary pop-rock band dominated the charts between 1969 and 1974, with no other group having more top 10 hits. Three Dog Night has maintained and grown their audience, adapting to new music technology and continuing to tour yearly, giving fans new and old the chance to experience their dynamic performances of their classic hits as well as several new songs. Marking nearly 50 years on the road, Three Dog Night continues to captivate audiences.

DJ Throwback Disney Night 
Disney Lovers, 90s Kids, or anyone who just wants to “Let It Go…”: You’re officially invited to BE OUR GUEST. Experience the magic while we spin your favorite Disney tracks. Get ready to sing your heart out to “Circle Of Life,” “Under The Sea,” and “Zero to Hero.” Don’t worry – we’re also throwing in the classics from the iconic Mouseketeers: Britney, Miley, Jonas Brothers, Demi, and more. If they were on the Disney channel, they’re on our DJ panel. Costumes encouraged! Bring your prince charming, evil queens, and fairy godmothers. You’ll want to make this a part of your world.

Babyface 
Indianapolis native Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds is a 13-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist, songwriter, producer, and one of the most celebrated creative forces in music history. He is the only producer to win the ‘Producer of the Year’ category four times, a record he holds to this day. Kenny is also co-founder of the legendary record label LaFace, which launched the careers of artists like Usher, Toni Braxton, TLC, Outkast, and P!nk. 

Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers
Bill Murray, award-winning American actor, comedian, and writer, will perform with the Blood Brothers, a musical collaboration featuring artists Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia, for a series of shows in 2025. This tour will showcase their performances, blending Murray's unique charm with classic rock music. The concerts promise to be an engaging experience, connecting audiences through shared appreciation for music.

Bill Murray and the dynamic duo guitarists Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia, along with Bluesman Jimmy Vivino, have come together and created “Bill Murray & his Blood Brothers.” In September of 2024. Murray, the award-winning American actor, comedian, and writer has been part of the music scene on numerous occasions. Over the years, Murray has performed at events such as Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival, John Prine & The Steeldrivers at the Grand Ole Opry and Love Rocks NYC at The Beacon Theatre. During his years on “Saturday Night Live,” Murray portrayed Nick the Lounge Singer and entertained guests with songs like “Brandy” and most famously “Star Wars.” Zito and Castiglia are true “Blood Brothers” in life and in the music they have created collectively. Zito is a Nine-time Blues Music Award Winner Castiglia is a five-time BMA winner. Each won awards in the Blues Rock Artist of the Year category as well as the BMA for Blues Rock Album of the Year for their independent works. Vivino has been around the music business for twenty plus years and is best known for serving as Conan O’Brien’s musical director, guitarist, and bandleader. Vivino released 'Gonna Be 2 Of Those Days' on February 14, 2025. He also plays select dates with Canned Heat and the successful Beatles tribute band The Fab Faux.

Melissa Etheridge 
Melissa Etheridge stormed onto the rock scene with her 1988 debut, earning her first Grammy® in 1992. Her 1993 breakthrough album, Yes I Am, delivered hits like “I’m the Only One” and the Grammy®-winning “Come to My Window.” Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy vocals, Etheridge has remained a powerful presence for decades. She won an Academy® Award for “I Need to Wake Up” from An Inconvenient Truth and inspired many with her 2005 Grammy® performance during cancer treatment. Recent releases include Memphis Rock & Soul, The Medicine Show, and One Way Out. In 2020, she founded The Etheridge Foundation for opioid treatment research. Her acclaimed one-woman Broadway show, My Window, premiered in 2022, followed by the 2024 docuseries and album I’m Not Broken, recorded at Topeka Correctional Facility.