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Batavia Downs announces variety-packed concert series for 2019

By Howard B. Owens

bownsconcerts2019.jpg

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced the lineup for their third annual Rockin’ the Downs concert series, which take place outside on the racetrack, with eight consecutive Friday dates, starting in June and running into August.

Kicking off the series on Friday, June 21st is Grammy Award-winning rock band Survivor. Best known for the double-platinum-certified song "Eye of the Tiger," Survivor’s massive hits also include "Burning Heart," "The Search Is Over," "High On You," "Is This Love," and "I Can’t Hold Back." This Academy Award-nominated band has had 18 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 during their storied career.

Next up, on Friday, June 28th is classic rock band Queensrÿche. With more than 30 million albums sold worldwide, Queensrÿche continues to tour the globe to sold-out audiences. The band has earned multiple Grammy Award nominations, and won the MTV “Viewer’s Choice” award for the #1 chart-topping hit "Silent Lucidity." Even with 11 gold and platinum plaques and several Top 10 hard rock anthems under their belt, Queensrÿche consistently delivers high-octane live shows combining the hungry fire of a new band with the tempered experience of master showmen.

On Friday, July 5th Canadian rock icon Kim Mitchell takes the stage in Batavia. A gifted and peer-respected guitar player as well as an acclaimed songwriter, Mitchell has recorded many hits, including "Go For Soda," "Rock 'N 'Roll Duty," "Patio Lanterns," "I am a Wild Party," "Easy To Tame," and "All We Are," to name just a few. Mitchell has achieved gold and multiplatinum sales status over a long and storied career that focused on “alternative” and "independent” long before the words became clichés.

Rocking the stage on Friday, July 12th is singer Steve Augeri. Best known as the lead vocalist for the rock group Journey from 1998-2006, Augeri headlined an eight-year tenure that included three albums, and brought one of the world’s most accomplished melodic rock groups back to the stage for multiple world tours to millions of adoring fans. Augeri promises to bring his high-energy mix of new music as well as material from his career to the Downs.

Gin Blossoms performs on Friday, July 19th. Hailing from Tempe, Ariz., the band hit the big time with their first major label album, "New Miserable Experience," which went quadruple platinum, and gave us the hit single "Hey Jealousy." Other hits from the Grammy-nominated band include "Follow You Down," "Mrs. Rita," "Found Out About You," "Pieces Of The Night," and "‘Til I Hear It From You." Gin Blossoms remain a rare breed, continuing to create, craft and perform their glorious catalog of material.

Friday, July 26th sees Kenny Wayne Shepherd at the Downs. Synonymous with the phrase “young blues rock guitarist," Shepherd has established himself as an immensely popular recording artist, a consistently in-demand live act, and an influential force in the worldwide resurgence of interest in the blues. The Louisiana-born axeman and songsmith has sold millions of albums, shining a light on the rich blues of the past while forging ahead with his own twist on a classic sound he has embodied since his teens.

Country music royalty Tanya Tucker will rock the Downs on Friday, Aug. 2nd. Named one of CMT’s 40 Greatest Women of Country Music, this Academy of Country Music Award-winning and Grammy-nominated singer’s number-one hits include "Delta Dawn," "Blood Red and Goin’ Down," "Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)," "Lizzie and the Rainman," "San Antonio Stroll," "Here’s Some Love," and "Strong Enough to Bend."

Closing out the series on Friday, Aug. 9th is Theory of a Deadman. Hailing from Delta, British Columbia, Canada, Theory, as they are known, has turned their hard rock/alternative sound into eight top 10 hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, including three number-one tracks in "Bad Girlfriend," "Lowlife" and "Rx (Medicate)."

Tickets for all eight concerts will be available at www.BataviaConcerts.com beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 8th.

Individual presale tickets to each concert will remain at $10 for General Admission, while VIP tickets will again be $25. For the first time, concertgoers will be able to purchase tickets in the Premium Section directly in front of the stage. Premium tickets are $50 and will be very limited for each concert. General Admission tickets are $15 if purchased on the day of the concert. Tickets can also be purchased at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop located in the lobby.

Concertgoers will once again have the option of purchasing a “Season Pass,” which includes admission to all eight concerts at a discounted rate. The Season Pass for 2019 is $60 for General Admission and $150 for VIP.

“We are very excited to once again host the region’s premier concert series, which includes another great lineup of musical icons,” said Henry Wojtaszek, CEO/president of Batavia Downs Gaming.

“We hope the community will continue to enjoy what has been an entertaining and affordable event each year. It’s great to see the community come together for a series that everyone can be a part of.”

Hotel room/ticket packages will be available for each concert. Purchase of a hotel room on the night of a concert using the code includes two VIP tickets to the show while supplies last. Each concert ticket is also redeemable once at Player’s Club in the three days following the concert for $10 Free Play to be used on one of Batavia Downs Gaming’s 800+ gaming machines.

Concerts are held Rain or Shine. Additional information may be found at www.BataviaDownsGaming.com.

Photo by Howard Owens.

tom hunt

I am disappointed in this years Summer Concert line up. Not a lot of groups and entertainers I have heard of except Tanya Tucker. Last year Three Dog Night filled the place. They seem to be catering to the younger set this year. The age group that doesn't have a lot of money to wager in the casino.

Feb 7, 2019, 2:57pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

You haven't heard of Survivor, Queensrÿche, Journey, or Kenny Wayne Shepherd?

Shepherd is who I'm really looking forward to seeing. I've been a fan since he was 17.

Feb 7, 2019, 3:09pm Permalink
tom hunt

I am a fan of Journey. What I was driving at was the classical rock groups of the 70s and 80s have proven that they can draw large crowds of the older set. Case in point; Three Dog Night drew the largest crowd of the Summer last year.

Feb 7, 2019, 3:55pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Well, we'll see how this season goes.

I'm not a fan of Journey. If I were to list my five most hated bands of the 70s and 80s, they would rank right up there with Boston, ELO, Foghat, and Foreigner. Shlock rock with no artistic merit.

Three Dog Night, I'm glad they drew well, but that's so 1960s. If I wanted the 60s, I'd rather see the Monkees.

I'm glad to see Batavia Downs providing variety. Kenny Wayne Shepard has been performing for 20 years or more but remains fresh and relevant. I'm glad to see somebody like that coming to Batavia.

What I like most about this lineup is there is the nostalgic acts, whether I like them or not, personally, and something fresh and invigorating. Personally, I think that's exactly the variety Batavia Downs should aim for instead of just one audience segment.

I hate Journey but I'm glad BD is bringing somebody in who will appeal to those people who like that band but still providing something I will enjoy over the course of the summer.

Feb 8, 2019, 1:22am Permalink
Destin Danser

I’m extremely excited that Theory of a deadman is coming to Batavia. I saw them at a very small venue in Niagara Falls Canada last year (less than 1000 people) and it was the best concert I’ve ever been to, hands down.

Now they’re coming even closer to home; albeit a somewhat larger venue. Can’t wait!

Feb 8, 2019, 11:06am Permalink

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