R&B legends open the Fair’s closing weekend Friday night, followed by WAR on Saturday and Yacht Rock Revue for Sunday’s finale at Cal Expo.
The final weekend of the California State Fair begins with one of the most commercially successful and influential R&B groups of all time as Boyz II Men takes the stage Friday night at Cal Expo.
Known for emotional ballads, intricate vocal harmonies and arrangements that helped redefine contemporary R&B, Boyz II Men will headline the Toyota Concert Series on the Sky River Casino Stage as the State Fair begins its final three-day run.
The Friday night concert will be followed by legendary funk and soul band WAR on Saturday and Yacht Rock Revue on Sunday, bringing three distinct generations and styles of music to the Fair before the gates close for the final time this year.
Boyz II Men arrives in Sacramento with a catalog that became one of the defining soundtracks of the 1990s. The Philadelphia group dominated international charts with songs built around polished production, emotional storytelling and a vocal structure in which each member could step forward rather than relying on one traditional lead singer.
The current trio of Nathan Morris, Wanyá Morris and Shawn Stockman has continued recording and touring worldwide for more than three decades. According to the group’s official biography, Boyz II Men has sold more than 60 million albums, placing it among the most successful musical groups in history.
Each singer brought a distinct vocal identity to the original lineup. Nathan Morris supplied the husky baritone, Wanyá Morris delivered the soaring and highly expressive tenor parts, and Shawn Stockman became known for his smooth tenor and clear falsetto. Original member Michael McCary supplied the group’s unmistakable bass vocals and spoken-word passages before leaving because of health issues.
That balance allowed Boyz II Men to trade leads, stack four-part harmonies and move easily between a cappella arrangements, new jack swing and traditional soul balladry.
The group was originally discovered by Michael Bivins of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe, helping launch a career that quickly moved from Philadelphia talent shows and school hallways to the top of the international charts.
Boyz II Men’s 1991 debut album, Cooleyhighharmony, introduced the group’s self-described “hip-hop doo-wop” sound through songs including “Motownphilly” and “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.” The album established the group as a major new force in R&B, combining youthful energy and new jack swing rhythms with vocal traditions drawn from classic soul and doo-wop.
Their rise accelerated with “End of the Road,” the 1992 ballad that spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. At the time, the run broke the record for the longest stay at the top of the chart, surpassing a mark previously held by Elvis Presley.
The group’s second album, II, elevated Boyz II Men to another level. Released in 1994, the album became a massive commercial success and included two consecutive No. 1 hits, “I’ll Make Love to You” and “On Bended Knee.”
“I’ll Make Love to You” spent 14 weeks at No. 1, while “On Bended Knee” followed it into the top position. The achievement made Boyz II Men one of only a small number of performers in Billboard history to replace themselves at No. 1.
The album II went on to become one of the defining R&B releases of the decade. It won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album, while “I’ll Make Love to You” earned the award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The Recording Academy lists Boyz II Men with four Grammy wins and 15 nominations over the course of its career.
Another historic moment arrived in 1995 when Boyz II Men collaborated with Mariah Carey on “One Sweet Day.” The song spent 16 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, holding the chart’s all-time longevity record for more than two decades.
Together, the group’s major No. 1 singles accounted for a cumulative 50 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, an extraordinary run that underscored its dominance during the 1990s.
Their catalog also includes “Water Runs Dry,” “A Song for Mama,” “Four Seasons of Loneliness,” “Thank You,” “Pass You By” and “Doin’ Just Fine,” along with acclaimed renditions of songs from Motown and other eras of American soul music.
While Boyz II Men became famous for romantic ballads, their influence reaches well beyond slow songs. Their vocal arrangements helped introduce traditional harmony singing to a new generation, while their success opened doors for the many R&B vocal groups that followed during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Their music has remained a fixture at weddings, graduations, memorials, school dances and milestone celebrations, with songs that continue to carry emotional meaning for listeners who first encountered the group more than 30 years ago.
That staying power has allowed Boyz II Men to remain active long after the era in which they first dominated radio. The trio continues to tour internationally, headline major festivals and perform extended engagements while introducing its catalog to younger audiences.
Friday’s California State Fair concert is expected to span the group’s career, from the upbeat opening notes of “Motownphilly” to the sweeping ballads and tightly arranged harmonies that made Boyz II Men a household name.
The concert begins at 8 p.m. Friday on the Sky River Casino Stage and is included with paid California State Fair admission. Optional reserved seating is available separately, but Fair admission is required for all concertgoers.
WAR Brings 5 decades of Funk Saturday
The final Saturday of the Fair shifts from smooth R&B harmonies to one of the most distinctive sounds in funk, soul and rock as WAR takes the stage Aug. 1.
Formed in Southern California in the late 1960s, WAR created a musical identity that drew from funk, Latin rhythms, jazz, blues, soul, reggae and rock. Rather than staying within a single genre, the group built songs around multicultural influences and socially observant lyrics that reflected life in American cities.
The band first gained widespread recognition through its work with British singer Eric Burdon, including the hit “Spill the Wine.” WAR later established its own identity with a string of enduring songs that became staples of 1970s radio.
Saturday’s audience can expect familiar tracks including “Low Rider,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends?,” “The Cisco Kid,” “All Day Music,” “Summer,” “Slippin’ Into Darkness” and “The World Is a Ghetto.”
“Low Rider” became one of the most recognizable funk recordings of its era, powered by its bass line, horn arrangement and distinctive rhythm. “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” paired an inviting chorus with a message of unity, while “The Cisco Kid” and “The World Is a Ghetto” reflected the band’s ability to place social commentary inside accessible grooves.
The group’s music has remained present across generations through films, television programs, advertising, sports arenas and extensive sampling by hip-hop artists. Its songs have become part of American popular culture while retaining the improvisational energy and genre-blending spirit that first distinguished the band.
WAR performs at 8 p.m. Saturday on the Sky River Casino Stage as the California State Fair reaches its final full evening.
Yacht Rock Revue Sunday
The Toyota Concert Series and the 2026 California State Fair conclude Sunday, Aug. 2, with Yacht Rock Revue, an Atlanta-based group that has helped transform the soft-rock favorites of the late 1970s and early 1980s into a full-scale concert experience.
Yacht Rock Revue performs polished recreations of songs associated with artists such as Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Toto, Christopher Cross, Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers.
The group’s concerts commonly feature favorites such as “Africa,” “Rosanna,” “Ride Like the Wind,” “What a Fool Believes,” “Rich Girl” and other radio standards built around smooth harmonies, keyboards, saxophone solos and carefully layered studio production.
What began as a playful tribute to a particular era of polished pop music has grown into a national touring act with its own loyal following. The band approaches the material with humor and an appreciation for the musicianship behind the original recordings, giving audiences a show that blends nostalgia with a lively concert atmosphere.
Its laid-back presentation and familiar singalong catalog offer a fitting soundtrack for the final evening of the Fair, bringing the Toyota Concert Series to a close after 17 nights of performances spanning R&B, hip-hop, country, reggae, funk, rock and regional Mexican music.
Yacht Rock Revue performs at 8 p.m. Sunday on the Sky River Casino Stage. The California State Fair identifies the performance as free with general Fair admission.
Final Weekend Concert Schedule
Friday, July 31 — Boyz II Men
Saturday, Aug. 1 — WAR
Sunday, Aug. 2 — Yacht Rock Revue
All three concerts begin at 8 p.m. on the Sky River Casino Stage. Concert admission is included with paid Fair admission, with optional reserved seats available for purchase separately.
Beyond the concerts, visitors have one final weekend to explore the California State Fair’s carnival rides, livestock exhibits, agricultural displays, food vendors, shopping, competitions, cultural showcases and entertainment throughout the Cal Expo grounds.
The Fair is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with gates and buildings closing at 10 p.m. Closing-day operations are adjusted Sunday, Aug. 2, with no admission after 8 p.m. and additional restrictions on re-entry and parking access later in the evening. The 2026 California State Fair is located at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento.
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