No more than two weeks after the end of the 2017 State Fair, next year's Grandstand lineup already has confirmed its first act.
Niall Horan, formerly of the band One Direction, is slotted to perform next Aug. 23, the fair's opening day, officials announced. Tickets, going for $49 and $59 before fees, go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.
Ahead of his anticipated debut album, Horan released the single "Slow Hands," which went to No. 1 in 44 countries and sits at No. 10 on the latest iTunes top 10 songs list.
He is currently working on and writing that album, where he is accompanying himself on piano and guitar. Hailing from Ireland, Horan released his first solo single, "This Town," last year. Since then, streams of the song have surpassed 350 million worldwide.
Also on the bill with Horan that evening will be native Texan Maren Morris, who lives in Nashville. Her hit "My Church," off her self-titled EP released in 2015, reached No. 5 on the U.S. Hot Country chart and was certified platinum.
That success led to a Grammy for best country solo performance and the 2016 release of "Hero," which reached No. 1 on the U.S. Country chart.
Tickets will be available at etix.com or by calling 1-800-514-3849, and at the State Fairgrounds ticket office during a limited-time opening from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.
The 2018 State Fair runs from Aug. 23 to Labor Day, Sept. 3.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
