The 2nd week installment of the Batavia Downs concert series brought former Journey vocalist Steve Augeri. Opening the show were Carl Dixon (formerly of Coney Hatch, The Guess Who and April Wine) and Western New York local favorites Steelhorse. Steelhorse opened the show playing 45 minute set consisting of mostly classic and southern rock. The band was led by vocalist Galen Kogut, they were also joined by Buffalo Music Hall of Famer Michael Hund for this gig. They got the crowd up and ready to go for the night with songs like “Simple Man” and “Train Kept a Rollin.” It was worth getting there early to see them.
Next up was Carl Dixon and the Last Buffalo. Dixon put together a backing band also consisting of Western New York musicians. Dixon’s set consisted a heavy dose of his former bands The Guess Who and April Wine. What is seeing Carl Dixon without him playing the fan favorite “Monkey Bars” from his Coney Hatch days? He happily obliged of course! It sounded great and I think the crowd appreciated it. This was played along with classics like April Wine’s “Never Enough” and The Guess Who’s “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature.” Dixonand the Last buffalo had a solid hour and half set. It was the first time I got to see Dixon live and hopefully, it won’t be the last.
The field got pretty packed for the appearance of former Journey vocalist Steve Augeri. He closed the night out with an entire set of Journey material. Augeri sang with the band for 8 years (1998-2006) which included 2 studio efforts and 1 EP. Augieri knows how to work a crowd and had them in his hand the entire show. Starting off with the heavier “Separate Way’s, Augeri continued the wave into “Stone in Love.” 2 wonderful songs to wet the crowd appetite for what was to come for the next hour and half. Augieri primarily covered more well known Journey tracks but added his flavor to the set with “Higher Place.” This song came off of the eleventh Journey studio effort titled “Arrival,” which he sang lead vocals on. The crowd gave a good reception to it and it flowed seamlessly with the other tracks. At times, Augeri’s voice cracked but that is to be expected. This was one of his first shows out of the pandemic and it will take some time to get the voice into show order I’m sure. Augeri joined guitarist Adam Holland a bit playing his own six string at the end of “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’. One of the most he most important messages coming out of Augeri’s set was that he mentioned the volunteers who were on hand there raising funds for the Niagara SPCA. He stated “God bless anyone who volunteers there time in helping animals!” The show closed out with a medley consisting of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta love” and The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again’ in the middle of Journey’s’ “Be Good to Yourself.”
Again, it should be noted the wonderful season Batavia Downs has on tap for everyone. Please go to their site for an upcoming show list: Batavia Concerts.
Setlist:
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) (Journey song)
Stone in Love (Journey song)
Ask the Lonely (Journey song)
Lights (Journey song)
Higher Place (Journey song)
Send Her my Love (Journey song)
Wheel in the Sky (Journey song)
Faithfully (Journey song)
Don’ Stop Believing (Journey song)
Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ (Journey song)
Anyway You Want It (Journey song)
Encore:
Forever Young (Rod Stewart cover)
Who’s Crying Now (Journey song)
Open Arms (Journey song)
Be Good to Yourself (Journey song)/Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin cover)/Won’t Get Fooled Again (The Who cover) medley
We would like to thank Ryan Hasenauer of Batavia Downs for the credentials to review the show.
