The Surprising Maine Venue That Brought Massive Rock Acts to Town

However, there's another venue in the Pine Tree State that doesn't get talked about much. That's probably because its primary use isn't music, and it has hosted only a handful of national acts. But those concerts have been some of the most epic shows in Maine history. The venue is Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford.

When did Oxford Plains Speedway First Open?

Originally opened in 1950, Oxford Plains Speedway (OPS) is a paved short track that hosts local and regional motorsports events. It's probably best known for the Oxford 250, which has attracted racers from across the country, including many NASCAR drivers. Winners of the race include the late Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Maine's own Ricky Craven.

While racing is obviously the main focus at OPS, the speedway can also claim some pretty major concerts. Probably the most well-known was when the Grateful Dead when thousands of Deadheads took over the venue for two huge nights. But that's not the only big show to hit the speedway. The 1988 Monsters of Rock Tour stopped there with a lineup that was second to none. Even the late legend Meat Loaf performed at OPS.

READ MORE: Here Are the Biggest Shows Coming to Thompson’s Point in 2026 in Portland, Maine

There may have been only a handful of major concerts at OPS, but the shows were so legendary that people still talk about them more than 30 years later.

What Rock Concerts Were Hosted at Oxford Plains Speedway?

Below, you can see a list of the bands that took the stage at OPS, including one whose roots began in the county right next door to Oxford.

Keep rocking.