South San Francisco, CA June 3, 2022 by SMC Fair
Daily Outdoor Performances to Showcase Classic Hits and Legendary Music Artists
The San Mateo County Event Center has announced their summer concert series – headlined by performances from legendary music artists The Commodores, Gloria Gaynor, Queen Nation, Uptown Funk, The Sugar Hill Gang, Los Yonics, and Finn Gruva– as part of the 2022 San Mateo County Fair to be held from Saturday, June 4th through Sunday, June 12th, 2022. The Fair will be closed to the general public on Monday and Tuesday of that week.
All concerts will be held on the main outdoor stage beginning at 7:30 pm and are included with the purchase of a general admission ticket. Seating is provided on a first-come-first-served basis. Fair tickets can be purchased online through the fair’s website at www.sanmateocountyfair.com.
With over 70 million albums sold as one of the greatest Motown and R&B funk artists of all time, The Commodores’ Walter “Clyde” Orange, James Dean “JD” Nicholas, and William “WAK” King will kick off the San Mateo County Fair’s first concert on the evening of June 4th.
The Commodores have influenced both artists young and old in all genres with hits like “Machine Gun,” “Brick House,” and “Sail On.” For five decades, The Commodores have remained a force in the music industry and their brand is bigger than ever as they continue to blaze trails all over the world. Don’t miss your chance at this year’s Fair to experience the sounds of one of the most successful vocal groups of all time.
Following The Commodores, Gloria Gaynor’s legendary 40-year career will continue to build momentum at the 2022 San Mateo County Fair on Family PRIDE Day, sponsored by Wells Fargo. The prolific Grammy Award winner brings her legendary hits like “I Will Survive” and “Never Can Say Goodbye” to the Fair’s main outdoor stage on Sunday, June 5th.
After can’t-miss performances during the Fair’s opening weekend, there will a series of cover bands here to perform, including Queen Nation on June 8th and Uptown Funk (Bruno Mars Tribute) on June 9th. Tickets for Queen Nation will be $5 if tickets are pre-purchased online before June 3rd and will be $10 at the Gate.
Finally, to close off the week of the San Mateo County Fair’s top-tier lineup, The Sugar Hill Gang will take their legendary hits like “Rappers Delight” to the main outdoor stage on Friday, June 10th. When you mention legends in the music industry, you can’t forget The Sugarhill Gang, hip hop’s first superstars, and iconic pioneers.
On Dia de la Feria day, Los Yonics, Los Mismos and Carlos Catalan will be performing. Los Yonic’s have been a top-tier mainstay on Mexico’s grupero scene since the release of their debut album, Que lo Sepa el Mundo, in 1975. Founded by drummer Johnny Ayvar and fronted by guitarist and frontman Jose Manuel Zamacona, they shifted the focus of grupero music from its origins in nostalgic Spanish-language covers of Anglo rock songs during the early 1970s to electrified originals rooted in traditional and regional Mexican music like rancheras, cumbias, and romanticos.José Manuel Zamacona, founder and lead singer of the band, died of complications from Covid-19 on July 4, 2021. Jose Manuel Zamacona Jr. continues the legacy as their lead vocalist.
Los Mismos is the band that was formed soon after Marco Antonio Solis left Los Bukis for a solo career in 1995, by the remaining members — vocalists Pedro Velazquez and Eusebio Cortes, drummers Jose Pepe Guadarrama and Pedro Sanchez, guitarist Joel Solis and keyboard player Roberto Guadarrama.
As lead vocalist for Zeus, Los Sobrinos del Sol, and Industria del Amor, Carlos Catalan helped to transform Southern California into a bastion for Mexican pop balladry. Performing as a soloist since 1995, Catalan has continued to influence the evolution of Mexican music with his warm, baritone vocals.
On Pacific Islands Day, Finn Gruva will be performing along with a very special guest that will be revealed on the day of. Born Haifine Latapu, Finn is an artist, a song writer, a composer, and producer for Gruva Music™. Finn is of Tongan descent but was raised in Sacramento, California. As a child, Finn was introduced to music by his parents playing and singing old Tongan folk and gospel songs in his native Tongan language. He also recalls listening to R&B, Old School and Soft Rock, and Reggae music. Whatever music was on the radio, Finn listened. He says, “we didn’t have money to buy music tapes and CDs. We only had the radio, so we listened to what was on”. Finn is currently working on his second album scheduled for release in 2016. His first album, “Finn The Groovah” was released in 2006. Big Body Cisco will be your host and DJ for the day.
“We are so excited to present and showcase our talent-filled lineup of performers this year,” said Dana Stoehr, CEO of the San Mateo Event Center. “With performance from legendary award-winning artists and cover bands, the 2022 San Mateo County Fair’s week of concerts are definitely can’t-miss events. We hope to see people here for multiple shows!”