A Salem-based rock band that won Thursday’s Battle of the Bands competition got an unexpected promotion to headliner status at the Benton County Fair after severe weather on the East Coast left the scheduled tribute act stranded.
The Raven Kings will now headline Friday night’s main stage concert at 8:30 p.m., taking the spot originally held by Completely Unchained, a Van Halen tribute band. Skynny Lyzyrd, the Battle of the Bands runner-up, will open the show at 7 p.m.
Fair organizers learned late Thursday that Completely Unchained was stuck at an airport in the Washington, D.C. area after thunderstorms and flash flooding grounded all flights along the Eastern seaboard on July 31.
“Both of the bands were thrilled at the opportunity to play the main stage at the fair, and we’re happy to turn this into a paying gig for them,” said Jesse Ott, the county’s director of Natural Areas Parks and Events. “We’re excited to support local musicians, and the crowd at Battle of the Bands really liked them.”
The Raven Kings, a heavy blues and rock band that performs both covers and original material, had originally been scheduled to open for the tribute act at 7 p.m. as their prize for winning the competition.
Ott suggested that fans disappointed about missing the Van Halen tribute shouldn’t skip the show entirely.
“There will probably be some Van Halen covers in their set Friday night,” he said. “Fans who were looking forward to hearing Completely Unchained should still consider turning out.”
Both concerts are included in the cost of fair admission. The 2025 Benton County Fair continues through Saturday.