‘Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown’ coming to Batavia

It’s the age-old debate among music enthusiasts: Beatles or Rolling Stones? Who is the greatest rock ’n’ roll band of all time?

The answer may, or may not, be settled Friday, June 21, as “Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown” comes to the Batavia Fine Arts Centre.

According to the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, two tribute bands will face off in a once-in-a-lifetime show. Beatles tribute band Abbey Road will portray the Fab Four, while Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show will portray Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the rest of the crew. Both bands faithfully will perform the music that spanned the careers of these legendary musicians.

This is the first time both bands have performed in Batavia, said Dominic Cattero, executive director of the Batavia Fine Arts Centre. He said The Beatles and the Stones appeared on the music scene around the same time in the 1960s, and created the sound of a generation.

“I wanted to bring back those memories and give people a chance to relive and forget about everything else for a bit,” he said. “It will be an amazing time, a chance to put the two sets of music side by side and maybe, just maybe, realize that there may not be a winner between The Beatles and Stones, but rather two iconic groups that set the soundscape which underscored and underscores so much of life.”

Cattero said he always looks forward to witnessing how all the productions at the venue bring joy to the audiences.

“That’s what the arts are for, and that’s what I love seeing most, the effect the art has on each of them,” he said. “When we bring shows in, I spend a lot of time watching the audience; their joy is what makes my job worth it all.”

Prices start at $33, and tickets can be purchased on Batavia Fine Arts Centre’s website.