Jo Dee Messina – Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, Batavia, NY – 08/14/2026 – Concert Review

Jo Dee Messina Brings an Epic Finish to the Batavia Downs Summer Concert Series

THOMAS S. ORWAT, JR.

Batavia, NY — Country music superstar Jo Dee Messina, a two‑time Grammy nominee, performed the final concert of the “Batavia Downs Summer Concert Series 2026” on Friday night, drawing an impressive‑sized crowd for her 90‑minute set. The performance showcased a well‑balanced mix of songs from her new release ‘Bridges’ (her seventh studio album) along with her biggest hits and a handful of classic rock covers that kept the audience fully engaged throughout the evening.

Messina, now 55, and her incredible band hit the stage at 8:30 p.m., kicking off the night with “Welcome to the Show” from Bridges. The audience was fully engaged from the first note, and Messina and her band were locked in, confident, energized, and ready to prove they are one of the best in country music today.

Shortly into the set, Messina mentioned that she was from the Massachusetts area and jokingly asked the audience if they liked the New England Patriots. Performing deep in Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres territory, the crowd immediately responded with loud boos. She followed up by asking about the Boston Bruins, which drew even more boos. Laughing, Messina said she felt like she was in hostile territory, then delivered a playful, “Okay, thank you and goodnight,” before continuing the show.

Messina kept the crowd laughing with her trademark humor, joking about her sore legs and pointing fans to Instagram for the explanation. She quickly shifted into an interactive “finish the song” segment, inviting the audience to sing along to iconic choruses from Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Toto’s “Hold the Line,” Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” and Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll.” It was a lively, playful moment that immediately connected her with the crowd and proved that country music fans love rock music as well.

Shortly afterward, Messina explained that she wrote every song on her new album ‘Bridges’ except for one. She introduced the next track by describing the “fake Nashville Broadway cowboys” who wear spotless boots that have never seen dirt, leading into a song she called “Where the Cowboys Ride.”

Standout moments came when Messina sat at the piano and delivered a passionate performance of “Can Anybody.” Shortly afterward, she broke into her biggest hit single “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” from her debut 1996 album, prompting the audience to enthusiastically sing the chorus back to her. It certainly seemed like everyone knew every word, and the crowd’s overwhelming response even appeared to catch Messina a bit by surprise.

The band also broke into AC/DC’s “Back in Black,” and right as the vocals were about to kick in, Messina cut it off with a playful, “No, we’re not doing that one.” Band‑member introductions followed, and afterward they launched into her 1998 hit “Bye‑Bye.” She then closed the night with a crowd‑pleasing performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” The crowd erupted, singing along to every word -a massive, high‑energy finale that ended an EPIC evening.

Overall, Jo Dee Messina delivered a warm, engaging performance that blended humor, heartfelt storytelling, new music, fan‑favorite moments, and many huge sing‑alongs. She is truly gifted, and an amazing songwriter and a powerful performer. The combination of perfect weather and outstanding music created a strong, memorable finish to the 2026 Batavia Downs concert series.

For more on Jo Dee Messina, please visit Jo Dee Messina Official Website

Thank you to the Batavia Downs for allowing Rock Music Star to cover three of their shows this summer. We may not be the most popular blog in the area, but we will always provide accurate reviews and greatly appreciate the opportunity.