Tower of Power @ California State Fair 2025

Powerhouse band Tower of Power will bring the soul and funk to the stage at the California State Fair on Thursday, July 24 as part of the Toyota Concert Series.

Founder, Emilio Castillo and Tower of Power have captivated audiences with their signature brassy fusion of soul, funk, and jazz music for over 55 years. The band rose to fame with their 1973 self-titled album Tower of Power, featuring the timeless hit “So Very Hard to Go.”

East Bay Grease defined their sound and landed them with Warner Brothers. Bump City, their 1972 debut for the label, was a hit on both the Billboard 200 and the R&B Albums chart, and netted them the hits “You’re Still A Young Man” and “Down to The Nightclub.” The 70s were a boom period with radio classics like “So Very Hard to Go” and “What Is Hip,” and the band continued to tour and record over the years. Castillo says their love of the stage is the same today as it was back in 1968.

The band has long since surpassed Castillo’s modest aspirations, traveling the world, enjoying hit singles on their own and backing legendary artists including Otis Redding, Elton John, Santana, the Grateful Dead, John Lee Hooker, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, and countless others. In the process they’ve defined an “Oakland soul” sound as instantly recognizable as those from Castillo’s hometown, Detroit, as well as inspirations like Memphis and Philadelphia.

“Tower of Power’s unmistakable sound and incredible live energy will make for an unforgettable night at the Fair,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of Cal Expo & the California State Fair. “We’re proud to bring such legendary talent to our summer lineup.”

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Concerts at the California State Fair are free with Fair admission, but fans looking to get closer to their favorite artists can purchase reserved seats at www.CalExpoStateFair.com. Newsletter subscribers will have early access to tickets starting Monday, April 7, with public sales beginning Tuesday, April 8.

The California State Fair runs from July 11 to July 27 at the Cal Expo fairgrounds. Gates open at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday.

About the California State Fair
The California State Fair is an international award-winning fair, receiving top honors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions out of more than 1,100 fairs world-wide. The California State Fair is dedicated as a place to celebrate the best the state has to offer in agriculture, technology, and the diversity of its people, traditions, and trends that shape the Golden State’s future.