Rock and Country Acts to Headline Batavia Series
Press release
BATAVIA – Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced the lineup for their seventh Rockin’ the Downs concert series. The shows, nine in all, will be held on Friday nights outside in the middle of the Batavia Downs horse racing track will start in June and run into August of 2024.
Kicking off the series on Friday, June 21st will be Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum legends Smash Mouth. Chart topping hits from Alt Pop Band include Walkin’ on the Sun, All Star and Then The Morning Comes along with a famous cover of I’m a Believer. With new Frontman Zach Goode, Smash Mouth will be putting on a thrilling and fulfilling show.
Next up on Friday, June 28th is Barracuda – America’s Heart Tribute. Hailing from Nashville, TN, this brilliant salute to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Heart is known nationwide for its vocals, musicianship, and live performances. They’ll play Heart’s major hits like Barracuda, Crazy on You, Magic Man and more!
In a nod to Canada Day and Independence Day, the concert on July 5th sees Canadian Rockers April Wine take the stage. April Wine has a large Southern Ontario and Western New York following and features such long time members as Brian Greenway, Richard Lanthier and Roy Nichol along with new singer Marc Parent. Together they continue the legacy of one of Canada’s most iconic rock bands. You’ll hear songs like Just Between You and Me, Roller, and Enough is Enough. Carl Dixon, former lead singer of the Guess Who, will return to the stage beforehand with a collection of great hits!
Making his Summer Concert Series debut on July 12th is Country Music Star, Clay Walker. Hailing from Texas, Clay has released eleven studio albums and has had 6 of his songs go to number one on the Hot Country Charts. Clay’s many hits include What’s It To You, Live Until I Die, Rumor Has It and more.
On July 19th, Batavia Downs welcomes Peace Frog – A Tribute to the Doors. This highly acclaimed act pays tribute to Jim Morrison and The Doors by recreating the magic and intensity of a Doors concert experience. Hear Break On Through (to the Other Side), Love Me Two Times, Light My Fire, and Riders on the Storm.
The Bacon Brothers make their first appearance at Batavia Downs on Friday, July 26th. Siblings Kevin Bacon (known worldwide as an A-list Hollywood actor) and Michael Bacon (celebrated as an Emmy-winning composer) have spent the better part of three decades creating their own mix of folk, rock, soul, and country music, a diverse sound they call “forosoco.” They’ve headlined gigs in iconic venues worldwide and now bring their incredible show to Batavia. Opening will be the Landsharks Band – A Jimmy Buffet Tribute Show.
A twin bill of tribute bands heads to Batavia as Rumours (Fleetwood Mac Tribute) & Practically Petty (Tom Petty Tribute Band) will perform on Friday, August 2nd. These 2 great Tribute acts will go through each of their respective band’s hits. Rumours prides themselves on being the most authentic Fleetwood Mac Tribute and will play songs like: Gypsy, Little Lies, Go Your Own Way. Practically Petty’s performances are true to the spirit and essence of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers including their look and sound. Their set list includes American Girl, Won’t Back Down, Running Down A Dream and more.
Returning to the Batavia Downs stage on Friday, July 29th is the legendary band, 38 Special. After forming in Jacksonville in 1974, they have currently achieved over $20 Million in sales. Their signature blast of Southern Rock is unmistakable with such arena-rock pop smashes as Hold On Loosely, Rockin’ Into the Night, and Caught Up in You.
Closing out the concert series will be a triple bill of Rock with Tommy DeCarlo, Jason Sheff and August Zadra. Tommy DeCarlo became the singer of Boston in 2008 upon the passing of Brad Delp in 2007 and has performed on every Boston tour since, spanning two decades. Jason Scheff joined the band CHICAGO in 1985 as lead singer/songwriter/bass player and went on to perform thousands of live concerts worldwide spanning four decades during a non-stop touring and recording career with the multi-platinum band. He’ll perform hits like Saturday in the Park, 25 or 6 to 4 and Will You still Love Me along with other great hits! Opening the show is longtime Dennis DeYoung Band lead guitarist and singer, August Zadra, doing a mini set of Styx classics.
“We are looking forward to hosting our 7th summer of great concerts and one we feel is the most fun Concert Series Line-up we’ve had,” said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO for Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. “These bands will be performing the kind of feel-good sing along songs that we know our guests will enjoy on each of those summer nights. We’re appreciative to the all our great sponsors are are excited to welcome back charities like Make-A-Wish Western New York, Volunteers for Animals, and Kat Colony Animal Rescue who raise funds for their organizations through the chair rental and guitar raffle.”
Tickets for all nine concerts will be available only at www.BataviaConcerts.com beginning on Tuesday, December 12th at 10am.
Tickets this year will be $15 for General Admission, $30 for VIP, $60 for Premium and $75 for front row seats. All tickets can be redeemed at Player’s Club at any time in the three days following the concert for $10 Free Play to be used on one of Batavia Downs Gaming’s 900+ gaming machines.
Season Tickets are also back and will also go on sale for General Admission, VIP and Premium Sections. A Season pass for General Admission will be $100 (a savings of $20) Season Passes for VIP tickets are $200 (a savings of $40). A Premium Season Pass is $400 (a savings of $80). Season passes may ONLY be purchased online.
For the month of December until New Year’s Day, tickets purchased online or at the Lucky Treasures Gift shop for the General Admission section will be only $10. Concert goers will still receive $10 in Free Play on show day with this ticket.
Concerts are held Rain or Shine. Additional information may be found at www.BataviaDownsGaming.com.