Batavia Downs announces lineup for 2024 'Rockin the Downs' summer concert series

Rock and country acts to headline Batavia Series

Press Release 

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced the lineup for its 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. Shows start in June and run into August of 2024. 

Kicking off the series on Friday, June 21, will be Grammy-nominated, multi-Platinum legends Smash Mouth. Chart-topping hits from the 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 28, is Barracuda – America’s Heart Tribute. Hailing from Nashville, 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” and “Magic Man.”

In a nod to Canada Day and Independence Day, the concert on July 5 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 12 is country music star Clay Walker. Hailing from Texas, Walker has released 11 studio albums and has had six of his songs go to No. 1 on the Hot Country Charts. His many hits include “What’s It To You,” “Live Until I Die” and “Rumor Has It.”

On July 19, 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 26. 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, Aug. 2. These two 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” and “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. The set list includes “American Girl,” “Won’t Back Down” and “Running Down A Dream.”

Returning to the Batavia Downs stage on Friday, Aug. 9, is the legendary band 38 Special. After forming in Jacksonville in 1974, it has currently achieved over $20 million in sales with a signature blast of southern rock and unmistakable, arena-rock pop smashes “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into the Night” and “Caught Up in You.”

Closing out the concert series on Aug. 16 will be a triple bill of rock royalty with Tommy DeCarlo, Jason Sheff and August Zadra. DeCarlo became the singer of Boston in 2008 upon the passing of Brad Delp in 2007, and he has performed on every Boston tour since (spanning two decades). 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 nonstop 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 Zadra doing a mini set of Styx classics.

“We are looking forward to hosting our seventh summer of great concerts and one we feel is the most fun concert series lineup 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 all our great sponsors and 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 at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Prices 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-plus gaming machines.

Season tickets are also back and will 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 and until New Year’s Day, tickets purchased online or at the Lucky Treasures Gift shop for the general admission section will be only $10. Concertgoers 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.

More About Batavia Downs/WROTB

Western Region Off-Track Betting Corp. is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia. WROTB owns and operates eight branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western Region OTB has generated over $251 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of participating municipalities.