Melissa Etheridge Brings Raw Rock Energy, Timeless Hits and Heart to the Great New York State Fair
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Grammy-Winning Rock Icon Melissa Etherdige United Generations with Crowd-Singalong Classics and a Heartfelt Tribute To Dolly Parton
Beyond the midway of the Great New York State Fair, fans gathered at Suburban Park beneath the evening sky. Conversations, laughter and bursts of anticipation moved through the crowd, setting the stage for a night that would be more than simply another concert.
There are concerts you attend, and then there are concerts you experience. On Friday, August 28, 2025 the Fairgrounds became the backdrop for an unforgettable evening as Grammy and Academy Award-winning rock icon Melissa Etheridge took the stage at 8 p.m., transforming Suburban Park into a celebration of rock, resilience and community.
With a commanding presence and unmistakable voice that has made her one of the most enduring figures in American rock, Etheridge delivered a performance that was a master class in live musicianship. Unapologetic and deeply connected to her audience, she reminded the crowd why her music has resonated across generations and why her visibility as one of the most recognizable women in rock continues to carry such significance.
The performance was part of the Fair’s LGBTQ+ Pride Day programming, making the evening particularly resonant for an artist whose music, authenticity and visibility have long held a meaningful place within the LGBTQ+ community.
And Melissa Etheridge did not disappoint.
From the moment she stepped onto the stage, the atmosphere shifted. A large and enthusiastic crowd spanning generations, backgrounds, and identities came together to celebrate her music. Young fans stood alongside longtime admirers who have followed Etheridge’s career for decades, with people of different races, ages, and walks of life united by a shared love of her music.
A Night of Guitar, Grit and Hits
Etheridge’s signature raspy vocals and rock-and-roll intensity were on full display as she moved through a set that showcased both her musical longevity and her ability to command a live audience.
One of the most striking visual elements of the performance was the number of guitar changes throughout the night and a live kazoo solo during “Tomboy”. Etheridge repeatedly switched instruments between songs, each guitar becoming another extension of her performance. Watching her move from one guitar to another while maintaining her vocal intensity reinforced just how deeply musicianship is woven into her artistry.
The setlist moved through fan favorites and career-spanning material, including:
“Don’t You Want a Woman”
“Bring Me Some Water”
“Matches” & “Jolene” By Dolly Parton (Tribute)
“Chrome Plated Heart”
“To Be A Woman”
“All American Girl”
“Tomboy”
“Bein’ Alive”
“Born Under A Bad Sign”
“Rise”
“Come To My Window”
“I Wanna Come Over”
“I’m The Only One”
“Like The Way I Do”
“More Love”
The setlist was a powerful reminder that Etheridge’s catalog has never been confined to one particular era. Her music continues to resonate across generations, and the audience made that clear by singing along, shouting lyrics back toward the stage and responding with thunderous applause.
Then came one of the night’s most poignant moments.
Remembering Dolly Parton Through “Jolene”
Just days after the heartbreaking loss of country music legend Dolly Parton, Etheridge incorporated a moving musical nod to Parton’s iconic “Jolene” during her performance of “Matches.” Parton died August 25 at age 80, sending shockwaves through the music world.
For those in the audience, the tribute carried additional weight. Dolly Parton’s music has crossed genres, generations and cultural boundaries, and hearing her work acknowledged from the stage only days after her passing felt like a collective musical farewell.
“Come To My Window” And A Crowd Singing Back
When the opening notes of “Come to My Window” rang through the fairgrounds, the audience erupted.
The 1993 hit remains one of Etheridge’s defining songs, and hearing thousands of voices join her under the evening sky was one of the most memorable moments of the night.
The audience continued to respond passionately as Etheridge delivered “I Wanna Come Over,” I’m The Only One” and “Like The Way I Do,” among other favorites. Each song seemed to trigger another wave of recognition from the crowd — hands in the air, voices singing along and fans visibly soaking in the experience.
An Icon Captured in Her Element
For me, the evening carried a particularly personal significance. As a journalist, media correspondent and longtime fan of Melissa Etheridge, it was an honor to witness and capture such an iconic performance by an artist whom I’ve admired for years.
Watching her command the stage, interact with the audience and deliver songs that have been woven into the fabric of popular music was truly a joy. It was also a reminder of why live entertainment coverage matters. Photographs and videos preserve the moments that music creates. They capture the emotions of the artist, the energy of the audience, the movement of the performance, and the atmosphere of the moment.
With her unmistakable voice, powerful guitar work, timeless catalog and an audience united by music, Etheridge transformed a cool summer night at the fairgrounds into an intimate celebration of rock, individuality, love and legacy.
A special thank you to Melissa Etheridge, her team, Associate Director of Public Information Katie Rey, and the Great New York State Fair for the opportunity to cover this incredible performance as credentialed media. This was truly a special moment that I will cherish for years to come.