The Buffalo Chip has now announced its full entertainment lineup for the 83rd Sturgis Rally. The Chip has been releasing information about musical performances, bike shows, stunt shows, rides, events, and more throughout the spring and early summer, so we already knew we’d see some legendary acts like Def Leppard, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, the Death Wire Daredevil Spectacular show, and more.
Joining the lineup in the latest announcement are performers like Tim Montana, Tommy “C. Thomas” Howell, Back In Black, and eight more. Also newly added to the program is the Street Drag Invitational with Crazy John.
Related: Get Primed for Sturgis 2023!
The limited-edition festival poster has also been released and is now available for purchase. Created by Australian artist Russell Murchie, the poster’s design was inspired by the Buffalo Chip Picnic of 1982. The full musical lineup appears at the bottom of the poster.
Read the press release below for more information about the musical acts, shows, events, and festival poster.
Sturgis, SD (July 6, 2023): It’s time for a party! The Sturgis Buffalo Chip is all set to host a party for the ages Aug. 4-13 during the 83rd Sturgis Rally. The now complete lineup features top acts like Def Leppard, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Limp Bizkit and so many more along with crazy, never-before-seen events like the Death Wire Daredevil Spectacular. Eleven new entertainment acts and one event have been added to the Chip’s lineup – Tim Montana, Tommy “C. Thomas” Howell, Back In Black, Petty and the Heartshakers, Big Skillet, DJ Hulio, Devon Worley Band, Leilani Kilgore, Peach Street Revival, The Downboys, Ted Z & The Wranglers and Street Drag Invitational with Crazy John. The 2023 limited-edition festival poster by Australian moto artist Russell Murchie is available for anyone wanting to memorialize their trip to the Buffalo Chip’s 42nd anniversary festival. Only 150 posters were created with this design. Full 2023 band lineup can be found at the Buffalo Chip website.
Find all of American Rider‘s Sturgis coverage and news here.
“So many great bands, so many fun events, and so many opportunities to create lasting memories with friends old and new, and it’s just under a month away!” said Rod Woodruff, President of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. “We can’t wait to welcome bikers home for our best party yet.”
Limited Edition Festival Poster
A long time ago in a cow pasture not far from Sturgis…the first riders rolled in on their choppers for the very first Buffalo Chip Picnic. Renowned moto artist Russell Murchie was inspired by that first gathering in 1982 as he created the 2023 collector’s edition design featuring the epic entertainment lineup of the 42nd anniversary.
Tim Montana – Aug. 4
Hold on to your Buttes, rough-and-tumble working-class hero Tim Montana makes his way to the legendary Wolfman Jack Stage Friday, Aug. 4. Raised in the wilds outside of Butte, Montana, Tim Montana (yes, it’s his real name) is a country rock legend in the making and a true renaissance man moonlighting as a TV personality, truck driver, grill master, marksman, businessman and more. Catch his celebration of the blue-collar American experience through hits from his latest offering “Reno” prior to a performance from ZZ Top at the Sturgis Rally Kickoff Party.
Tommy “C. Thomas” Howell – Aug. 6 & 8
The life-long creative who gave life to some of film and television’s most legendary characters (“Ponyboy” from The Outsiders, “The Reaper” from Criminal Minds) along with 240 other acting credits has returned to his rural music routes and created a sound that melds Texas thunder-heart with mountain-music. In 2020, Tommy Howell began recording music with some of Nashville’s most elite musicians and producers and has been taking his storytelling shows on the road ever since. Catch the unique sound and star power of Tommy Howell not just one, but two nights on the Legendary Wolfman Jack Stage – Sunday, Aug. 6 before a performance from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Tuesday, Aug. 8, prior to REO Speedwagon and Styx.
Back In Black – Aug. 12
Get Thunderstruck by the high-voltage performance of the hottest AC/DC tribute band around. For over two decades, Back In Black have been entertaining audiences with a performance so true to the power and high-energy of AC/DC that they’ve gained worldwide attention and have performed with some of the biggest names in the business. Back In Black brings their electric set of loud and proud classic AC/DC hits to the Wolfman Jack stage on Aug. 12 to close out the 2023 concert series.
Petty & The Heartshakers – Aug. 12
Free fall back in music history and run down a dream with the top Tom Petty tribute band in the country – Petty and the Heartshakers live at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Saturday, Aug. 12. Fans can wrap up the 2023 Sturgis Rally with a soundtrack of hits including “American Girl,” “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” “I Won’t Back Down” and so many more.
The Downboys – Aug. 5
The rally crowd won’t want to come down after a maddening rock show from The Downboys Saturday, Aug. 5 at The Best Party Anywhere. These youthful, energetic rockers are bringing their own brand of electrifying performances, stolen riffs, and sexy rockin’ attitude to the Sturgis Rally ahead of performances from Koe Wetzel and Steel Panther.
Ted Z & The Wranglers – Aug. 6
Gritty outlaw-country-charged rock will get the good times rollin’ when Ted Z and The Wranglers take the stage at the Best Party Anywhere. It will be easy for fans to lose themselves in Ted’s catchy story-songs filled with tales of love, regret, getting older and stirring up trouble while The Wranglers tap into their Americana influences with quick picking and bluesy slide guitar. Ted Z and The Wranglers perform ahead of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Tommy Howell on the Main Stage on Sunday, Aug. 6 and a midnight performance Saturday, Aug. 5 at Bikini Beach.
Leilani Kilgore – Aug. 7
Rally goers might know their way around a motorcycle, but they’ve never seen a well-oiled machine quite like a Leilani Kilgore performance. This Nashville transplant hailing from the West Coast serves aggressive hard-hitting rock with a touch of meaningful blues and fearlessly honest emotional expression. With in-your-face vocals and fearless solos, she’s “a Joan Jett that shreds.” Attendees will have two chances to see this guitarist, artist and hellion—opening up the Main Stage for Limp Bizkit and Lita Ford on Monday, Aug. 7 and an encore performance at midnight Tuesday, Aug. 8 at Bikini Beach.
Devon Worley Band – Aug. 9
Fans of country, rock and everything in the middle will have their souls set ablaze thanks to two powerful performances from the Devon Worley Band. Attendees can catch these unapologetic country rockers on the Wolfman Jack Main Stage ahead of Whiskey Myers and George Thorogood & The Destroyers, then get an encore on the final night of the festival at Bikini Beach.
Peach Street Revival – Aug. 11
Concertgoers can savor sounds as sweet as a Colorado Peach with tastes of classic rock, blues and punk with this female-dominated four piece on Friday, Aug. 11 ahead of Buckcherry and Puddle of Mudd. Hailing from Grand Junction, Colorado, Peach Street Revival will bring a rockin’ performance of their original songs and covers some of the greats like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Rush, Queen, and others.
Big Skillet – Aug. 12
Big Skillet will be cookin’ up a crock full of concerts at the Chip that fans will never be able to get enough of. Concertgoers can party down with great classic rock, R&B, blues, funk and modern country when this Missouri-based trio gets the night started on the Wolfman Jack Stage Saturday, Aug. 12. There will also be plenty of chances to come back for seconds with performances throughout the week on the Bikini Beach Stage.
DJ Hulio – Aug. 4-12
Bumpin’ beats, original remixes and masterful mashups of fan favorite songs will have people dancing until the wee hours of the morning thanks to DJ Hulio. This longtime Buffalo Chip resident DJ keeps the party going nightly by performing high-octane live sets at Club Chip between and after shows on the main stage. In 2023, this mixmaster will also be starting party early, bringing DJs Kelly Kells, Cory’G and Budd Holly to perform at the Big Engine Bar Stage at the Crossroads throughout the afternoons.
Street Drag Invitational with Crazy John – Aug. 9
The sights, sounds and smells of motorcycles thundering by at speeds of up to 120 mph will raise the hair on the back of necks and have race enthusiasts wanting more when riders peel off the drag strip line in the middle of The Chip’s legendary amphitheater. Hosted by Crazy John Markwald on Tuesday, Aug. 9 from Noon to 3 pm.
World-class entertainment is just part of what the Sturgis Buffalo Chip will present again for 2023. Guests will have the opportunity to experience thrilling events, legendary rides, powerful freedom celebrations, top-tier bike shows, heart-pounding stunts, white-knuckle racing, worthwhile charity events and so much more. Entertainment is free with campground admission pass. A full list of Sturgis Buffalo Chip events is available at the Buffalo Chip website. The Buffalo Chip is home to the Sturgis Rally Information Center and is the official sponsor of the free Sturgis.com Official Sturgis Rally Registration Program.
2023 Sturgis Buffalo Chip Event and Entertainment Lineup
Friday, Aug. 4
- Buffalo Chip Official Sturgis Rally Kickoff Party™
- ZZ Top
- Tim Montana
- Sturgis Battle of the Bands Winner Goodfire
- Support Bikers Moto Meetup
- Full Throttle Magazine Official Rally Kickoff Bike Show
- Parade into the Amphitheater
- Monster Wall Smash
Saturday, Aug. 5
- Koe Wetzel
- Steel Panther
- The Downboys
- Schools Out Chopper Show
- Wango Tango Custom Gold Wing Show
- Motorcycles As Art Exhibit Opens
- Creator Hangout
Sunday, Aug. 6
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Tommy Howell
- Ted Z & The Wranglers
- FXR Show & Dyna Mixer
- Flying Piston Breakfast
Monday, Aug. 7
- Limp Bizkit
- Lita Ford
- Leilani Kilgore
- Legends Ride®
- Pretty Fast Bike Show
- Sassy & Classy Over 35 Model Search
Tuesday, Aug. 8
- REO Speedwagon
- Styx
- Tommy Howell
- Biker Belles® Women’s Day Celebration
- Biker Belles Women’s Bike Show
- Sportster Showdown
- Mini Bike Show
- Street Drag Invitational
Wednesday, Aug. 9
- Whiskey Myers
- George Thorogood & The Destroyers
- Devon Worley Band
- Rusty Wallace Ride
- Evo Entanglement
- Bike Show Mafia Bike Show & Godfathers of Bass Soundoff
Thursday, Aug. 10
- Def Leppard
- Pop Evil
- The Death Wire Daredevil Spectacular
- Freedom Celebration
- Western Frontier Motorcycle Ride
- Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show
Friday, Aug. 11
- Buckcherry
- Puddle of Mudd
- Peach Street Revival
- Custom Series King Award
Saturday, Aug. 12
- Back In Black
- Petty & The Heartshakers
- Big Skillet
