Last week, the annual Batavia Downs Rockin’ the Downs concert series organizers announced their 2025 lineup. The series had relied heavily on tribute acts in recent years. Still, this year’s lineup is filled with some familiar names, especially for those who remember the halcyon days of free concerts in Lockport, Lewiston, downtown Buffalo, and North Tonawanda.
The organizers and staging company from Lockport’s long-defunct Canal Concert Series have handled the Batavia since its inception. This year’s Batavia lineup includes three artists who headlined Lockport: Queensryche on Friday, June 20; Lou Gramm on Friday, August 1; and Kansas on Friday, August 15. The Batavia Downs venue, with its spacious grounds, provides an enjoyable concert experience.
Queensryche headlined Lockport twice, in 2009 and 2011. Both shows were packed, and it was one of the last times the band toured with original lead singer Geoff Tate. Todd La Torre has been lead vocalist since 2012, and founding members Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson are still in the band. They are the only two members with the lineup that performed in Lockport.
Lou Gramm participated in the inaugural Canal Concerts in Lockport in 2008. A lot has happened since then. In 2013, he released his autobiography and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2017, he made a few guest appearances with Foreigner, and earlier this year, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Foreigner.
Gramm, a Rochester native, has announced this will be his last year performing, making this a truly special and possibly the last opportunity to catch him live in the region.
Kansas was in Lockport in 2010 and 2013. Since then, the band has undergone significant lineup changes. The only full-time member from 2013 is guitarist Rich Williams. Drummer Phil Ehart is still a member but has not been touring with them because of health issues. Ronnie Platt is the group’s lead vocalist and does an outstanding job with the classic Kansas catalog.
The Allman Betts Band is an excellent addition to the Batavia series. The group is part of the Allman Brother Band lineage and includes Gregg Allman’s son Devon, Dickey Betts’ son Duane, and Berry Oakley’s son Berry Duane Oakley. You may get a song or two from the Allman Brothers catalog, but most songs will likely be from the Allman Betts discography.
Almost Queen and The Machine are the two tribute acts. I am not familiar with Almost Queen, but anyone performing Queen’s music should be able to get the crowd going. The Machine were perennial favorites at Artpark during the Tuesdays in the Park series era.
The Little River Band and Ambrosia are both from the Yacht Rock genre. Although there are no original members of the Little River Band, Wayne Nelson is the longest-tenured member. He joined in 1980 and sings lead vocals on one of my favorite LRB songs, “The Night Owls.” Ambrosia has three original members in its lineup. It’s a great double bill that will result in many sing-along moments.
The Commodores are best known for launching the career of Lionel Richie, who left in 1982 to pursue a massively successful solo career. The group did have success after Richie’s departure, including the song “Night Shift” in 1985. That song was written as a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. Bruce Springsteen released a cover version of the song a few years back and regularly performs it live on the current tour.
The concert series offers exceptional value for the money, with general admission tickets priced under $20. Ticket information is available on the Batavia Downs website, bataviadownsgaming.com.