Skillet Brings Faith and Rock to the Sioux Empire Fair
A night of rock at the Sioux Empire Fair in Sioux Falls, South Dakota • August 4, 2026
A Fair Tradition Nearly Nine Decades in the Making
The Sioux Empire Fair has been a staple of the Sioux Falls community for an astounding 88 years, with the very first fair taking place in 1938. What began as a local agricultural gathering has grown into one of the largest annual events in South Dakota. Throughout the decades, additional land donations and continued expansion have allowed the fairgrounds to evolve into a destination that offers far more than its original vision.
Today, fairgoers can spend an entire day exploring everything the grounds have to offer. Thrill seekers can enjoy a wide variety of carnival rides ranging from family friendly to adrenaline pumping attractions. Food lovers have no shortage of options either, with vendors serving everything from classic corn dogs and funnel cakes to unique fair creations that seem to get bigger and more creative every year. Walking through the exhibition buildings reveals local businesses, agricultural displays, competitions, arts and crafts, livestock, and countless activities for visitors of every age.
While all of that makes the Sioux Empire Fair one of the highlights of every summer, there is another attraction that continues to draw thousands of people through the gates each year. The nightly Grandstand concerts.
Skillet Returns to Sioux Falls
On this particular evening, the spotlight belonged to Skillet.
Admission to the concert was included with the purchase of a fair ticket, making it one of the best entertainment values of the summer. For those wanting an even closer experience, upgraded Pit tickets were available. Judging by the crowd gathered in front of the stage long before showtime, those tickets were well worth the investment because the Pit completely sold out.
The excitement was understandable.
Skillet has been one of Christian rock’s biggest names since forming in 1996, and their return to Sioux Falls was long overdue after last headlining the LifeLight Festival in 2023. For many fans, including myself, this wasn’t simply another concert. It was another opportunity to experience one of the most consistently entertaining live bands in rock music.
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A Masterclass in High Energy Performance
Trying to describe a Skillet concert with words almost feels impossible.
From the moment the band got on stage, the energy level never slowed. Lead vocalist and bassist John Cooper spent much of the night running across every inch of the stage, constantly engaging with the audience and feeding off their enthusiasm. Korey Cooper seamlessly switched between keyboard and guitar while somehow finding the energy to jump around throughout the performance. Seth Morrison continued to prove why he has become such an important part of the band’s live sound, delivering blistering guitar solos with precision while matching the intensity of everyone else on stage.
Then there’s Jen Ledger.
As always, Jen was one of the highlights of the evening for myself. Her powerful drumming anchors every song while her supporting vocals add another dynamic layer to Skillet’s sound. Watching her effortlessly transition between pounding rhythms and soaring harmonies is something that never gets old. She remains one of my favorite drummers to watch perform live.
What makes Skillet stand apart from many bands is the chemistry between its members. Years of performing together, and the marriage of John and Korey, have created a level of cohesion that cannot be manufactured. Every movement, every musical transition, and every interaction feels natural. Before you realize it, ninety minutes have passed, and you find yourself wishing the show had just started.
Bold Faith in Front of Thousands
One of the reasons I have continued listening to Skillet for so many years has very little to do with the music itself.
Throughout the concert, John Cooper made it abundantly clear why the band continues touring after nearly three decades.
Jesus.
Between songs, John openly shared Scripture and encouraged the audience in their faith. There was no hesitation or attempt to hide their beliefs. One of the most impactful moments came when he introduced “Hero” by explaining that, while many people interpret the song differently, for the band it is ultimately about Jesus Christ and dedicated the performance of the song that night to their Savior.
That kind of boldness is becoming increasingly rare, and it’s refreshing to see a band with such a large platform remain unapologetic about their faith.
As someone whose walk with Christ has grown significantly over the last several years, that authenticity only deepens my appreciation for Skillet. Their music has always delivered heavy guitars, memorable hooks, and explosive performances, but pairing all of that with biblical truth gives their songs a much greater purpose.
With their newest single, “Scream,” releasing on July 10, 2026, it also feels like the band is entering another exciting chapter. If this song is any indication of what’s coming next, I can’t wait to hear the rest of the new material.
A Production That Matched the Music
If the band’s energy was operating at one hundred percent, the lighting production somehow managed to surpass it.
The entire show was packed with synchronized lighting effects, massive beams sweeping across the crowd, bursts of color, and an almost constant barrage of strobe lighting. It looked incredible from a visual standpoint, but it was also intense enough that the friend I attended with had to occasionally turn away because of the flashing lights.
Even so, the lighting never felt disconnected from the performance. Instead, it became another instrument that elevated every song.
One of the biggest visual moments came when John Cooper brought out his now famous handheld smoke cannons. It has become something of a Skillet tradition, and seeing him march across the stage surrounded by clouds of smoke made him look like a character in a Marvel movie.
As if that wasn’t enough, Korey Cooper and Seth Morrison later rose above the stage on elevated platforms while continuing to shred on their guitars, creating another memorable image that had the crowd cheering.
Every element of the production worked together to create a concert experience that was as visually exciting as it was musically powerful.
A Shorter Show Than Expected
My only real disappointment had nothing to do with Skillet’s performance.
According to the Sioux Empire Fair schedule, the concert was advertised as running from 8:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. Instead, the band wrapped up around 9:30 p.m., roughly an hour earlier than many attendees likely expected.
To be fair, a ninety minute headlining set is still a respectable amount of time, especially for a county fair style performance. Even so, there was a lingering sense of disappointment knowing the advertised runtime suggested we would have significantly more music.
The ending itself also felt a little different than the typical rock show.
Like many rock bands, Skillet performed the familiar fake farewell before returning for an encore. However, instead of several encore songs, the band returned for just one final performance of “The Resistance.” It was an explosive way to close the evening, but it also made the concert seem to end almost as quickly as it had begun.
Afterglow
Despite the shorter than expected runtime, Skillet once again proved why they remain one of the best live acts in Christian rock.
Their combination of high energy musicianship, authentic faith, crowd interaction, and world class production creates an experience that is difficult to match. Few bands can seamlessly blend worship, hard rock, and arena level spectacle while remaining true to who they are.
If you have never had the opportunity to see Skillet perform live, I cannot recommend it enough. Whether they are playing at a county fair, a festival, or a full arena show, they consistently deliver an unforgettable performance.
Personally, I would even say they are worth traveling a few hours to see. After nearly thirty years together, Skillet continues to show no signs of slowing down, and if this concert was any indication, they are still operating at the top of their game.
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