Julio Iglesias Jr. is coming to the New York State Fair, nearly four decades after his father performed at the Grandstand.
The son of music legend Julio Iglesias will perform at the NYS Fair’s Chevy Court on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m. The concert, along with all Fair shows, is free with admission to the fair.
Will we get a tribute to Benny Mardones? Julio Iglesias Jr. is expected to perform songs from his new album, “Under the Covers,” featuring his interpretations of songs by Marvin Gaye, Billy Joel, George Michael, Stevie Wonder, Tears for Fears, and Ed Sheeran, plus a big band swing-meets-reggae soul take on Mardones’ “Into the Night.”
“Into the Night” was the biggest hit by Mardones, who adopted Syracuse as his second home in the 1980s. The song reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 twice, including in 1989, and holds special significance for Iglesias Jr.
“I first moved to the U.S. from Spain when I was nine years old and I spoke very little English, but I listened to the radio a lot and it actually helped me learn the language,” said Iglesias Jr. “Driving to and from school, we would always listen to the radio and this song was always on. There was not one day that it wasn’t playing. So, to be able to revisit this song and the memories I have with it means so much, and to sing alongside Benny Mardones himself on this song is so special.”
Iglesias, Jr., the older brother of Enrique Iglesias, is a Latin singer, model and actor who started performing with his father before forging his own path. Iglesias Jr. appeared on the ‘90s sitcom “Out of the Blue,” won the CMT competition “Gone Country” in 2008, hosted shows on the Travel Channel, and appeared on the soundtrack for Gloria Estefan’s Oscar-nominated film, “Music of the Heart.”
Julio Iglesias, internationally known as the most commercially successful Spanish artist, played the NYS Fair Grandstand on Aug. 29, 1984. The Grandstand was demolished in early 2016.
Chevy Court is located near Gate 1, next to the Center of Progress Building and by the Dairy Products Building. Both have limited seating available. Chevy Park, where the bigger NYS Fair concerts will take place, is located in the New York Experience area on the west end near Gate 10 of the fairgrounds, in the back of the Midway and past the Expo Center.
The 2023 New York State Fair will run from Aug. 23 through Sept. 4. National acts are expected to perform daily on the fair’s main stages, with 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. shows at Chevy Court and 8 p.m. shows at Chevy Park; on select days, there will also be 2 p.m. concerts at Chevy Park.
New York State Fair 2023 Concert Schedule
Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. - Chubby Checker at Chevy Court
Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. - Theory of a Deadman at Chevy Park
Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. - Peppa Pig Live! at Chevy Court
Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. - Julio Iglesias Jr. at Chevy Court
Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. - George Thorogood & The Destroyers at Chevy Park
Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. - The Prodigals at Chevy Court
Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. - Matt Stell at Chevy Court
Aug 28 at 1 p.m. - Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone at Chevy Court
Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. - Anne Wilson at Chevy Court
Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. - REO Speedwagon at Chevy Park
Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. - Tommy James and the Shondells at Chevy Court
Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. - Bret Michaels at Chevy Court
Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. - Tyler Hubbard (of Florida Georgia Line) at Chevy Park
Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. - Danielle Ponder at Chevy Court
Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. - Chapel Hart at Chevy Court
Sept. 4 at 12 p.m. - The High Kings at Chevy Court